Pneumonia - an ancient killer continues to stalk

In the days before antibiotics, pneumonia was the third leading cause of death overall, and even today, it remains the leading infectious cause of hospitalization and death in this country.  The cost in lives and to the economy is staggering, and even celebrities, such as Merle Haggard, can succumb to the disease.  With vaccination and prompt treatment, the toll from many forms of pneumonia can be significantly reduced.  Here is a look at this issue, through the lens of the death of one star.

Merle Haggard Died of Common, Preventable Killer