In 2018, a research showed that pneumonia have caused 56.8 thousand deaths in the Philippines, and was the 3rd leading cause of death among Filipino women in the same year.
According to Mayo Clinic, Pneumonia "is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing."
A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, like the COVID-19 virus, and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, several celebrities got infected with the virus and developed pneumonia.
Others, like Ate Gay, were diagnosed with pneumonia but tested negative for COVID-19.
From comedians Ate Gay and Donita Nose to veteran actor Menggie Cobarrubias, take a look at these celebrities who got diagnosed with pneumonia.
Comedian Ate Gay, or Gil Morales in real life, was diagnosed with pneumonia in March 2021. According to the comedian's sister, Ate Gay is currently admitted to the hospital since March 25 but he continues his recovery. Ate Gay has tested negative for COVID-19.
In June 2020, comedian Donita Rose revealed in a Facebook Live broadcast that he had pneumonia. A few days after, Donita tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered.
In 2016, celebrity and fashion stylist BJ Pascual revealed in a now-deleted Instagram post that he got diagnosed with pneumonia.
In March 2020, actress Iza Calzado confirmed that she was confined in a hospital battling pneumonia. A few days later, Iza tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered.
In March 2021, actress Bianca Lapus admitted that she tested positive for COVID-19. Bianca also developed pneumonia in both lungs following her COVID-19 diagnosis.
Senator Bong Revillo got hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. His wife, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado, later on revealed that Senator Bong developed pneumonia.
Actress Sylvia Sanchez also developed pneumonia while battling COVID-19. Sylvia and his husband Art first recovered from pneumonia before testing negative for COVID-19.
In March 2020, veteran actor Menggie Cobarrubias died of pneumonia while waiting for his COVID-19 test result. Five days after his death, the result came back positive.
Actor Edgar Quizon died because of pneumonia, his son Egai told Pep.ph. Edgar was one of Dolphy's 18 children.
Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Ito Curata died on March 26, 2020 after developing pneumonia. He was 60 years old.
In 2015, singer Jimboy Salazar died because of pneumonia. He was 42 years old.
In the first episode of 'The Howie Severino Podcast,' Jessica Soho revealed, “I've had two bouts with pneumonia and very serious bouts with pneumonia kaya I need to be very careful. My doctors have advised me na extra 'yung precautions na kailangan kong gawin for myself, knowing 'yung conditions ko.”
In an Instagram post, actress Beauty Gonzales recounted her husband Norman Crisologo's ordeal with COVID-19. She said he had pneumonia and had difficulty breathing, but thankfully, he's now COVID-free.
Actor Dennis Padilla also battled pneumonia during his bout with COVID-19. Fortunately, he survived it and is now COVID-free.
Susan Enriquez revealed in November 2020 that she had a bout with pneumonia and was a suspected COVID-19 case. Because of this, she was confined in a hospital for three days and spent her birthday there.
The standup comedian and former co-host of Face to Face passed away after battling an illness for three months.
Jean Mortel-Chupungco revealed in a GoFundMe page that her brother was battling pneumonia in an “immunocompromised state.”