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Young woman told she had flu dies

(BBC 06/01/2009)

A teenage mother died three days after an out-of-hours medical service said she had a bout of flu and should take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids. Clare Secker, 19, of Gorleston, Norfolk, died of bronchial pneumonia. Her parents tried to contact their GP on Boxing Day but the surgery phone went through to an out-of-hours line.

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Probiotics 'may stop pneumonia'

(BBC 06/11/2008)

Friendly bacteria could be used to protect critically ill patients from developing pneumonia, scientists believe.

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E-nose can 'sniff' out deadly bug

(BBC 24/10/2008)

An electronic nose has been developed to identify potentially-fatal strains of pneumonia by "smelling" the breath of a patient. The Breathatron, developed by doctors at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, works by detecting chemicals in saliva. It's being tested on intensive care patients on ventilators who are at risk of contracting pneumonia from the very equipment helping them to breathe.

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Pneumococcal bug poses new threat

(BBC 14/04/2008)

A strain of bacteria which can cause pneumonia and meningitis in children is on the rise in England and Wales, figures suggest.

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