While often used as a synonym for pneumonia, the rubric of lower respiratory tract infection can also be applied to other types of infection including lung abscess, acute bronchitis, and empyema.

Commonly known as the most prolific cause of death amongst all infectious diseases, with 3.9 million people killed in 2002 - accountable for 6.8% of worldwide human deaths for that year.

See also

• Upper respiratory tract infection

Diseases