Texas Rangers All-Star Josh Hamilton may carry a big stick, but right now he'd barely have the strength to swing a bat. And he's not alone.
Hamilton was hospitalized this week for pneumonia. And doctors across North Texas say they're seeing more and more cases daily.
Pneumonia is an infection in the lung tissue. It's most common symptom is a hard, persistent cough that lasts several days. Pneumonia can also come with fever, chills and body aches, which makes it difficult for people have it to distinguish it from severe colds or flu.
Dr. Cynthia Dott of Primacare Dallas patients often arrive and don't even know how seriously ill they are.
Pneumonia can vary from "walking pneumonia," an infection that can be treated with antibiotics, to bacterial pneumonia, which is much more serious. It often fills lungs with fluid and can require hospitalization.
All forms of pneumonia are treatable, but can be deadly for people who also have chronic heart disease, HIV or have another serious illness.
Doctors say children, senior citizens and anyone with an existing respiratory condition such as asthma are in the high-risk group for pneumonia.
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Anyone with a hard, persistent cough lasting three days or longer should see a doctor.
