Pneumonia can range from a mild to serious or life-threatening infection and can sometimes lead to death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , over 50,000 people in the United States died from pneumonia in 2015.

How likely is it to die from pneumonia?

Overall, around 5%-10% of patients who are treated in a hospital setting die from the disease. Pneumonia is more likely to be fatal in the elderly or those with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

How long does pneumonia take to kill you?

Most healthy people recover within three weeks, but in severe cases, the infection spreads and interferes with oxygen reaching the bloodstream. In extreme cases that go untreated, pneumonia can kill within hours, PBS has reported.