MANILA, Philippines — Asian drama fans are still mourning the death of "Meteor Garden" star Barbie Hsu who passed away at 48.
Barbie's sister Dee said through her agent that Barbie died of Pneumonia after contracting Influenza during a Lunar New Year trip to Japan.
Influenza, or the flu, is a very contagious viral infection that spreads quickly among people when the infected person coughs or sneezes.
Pneumonia, meanwhile, is a serious infection or inflammation of the lung where the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid, blocking oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.
The American Lung Association explained that if there isn't enough oxygen in the blood, an individual could die as one's cells cannot work properly.
Related: 'Meteor Garden' star Barbie Hsu passes away at 48
The organization said the flu is a common cause of Pneumonia especially among vulnerable populations (young children, elderly, pregnant women, those with pre-existing heart or lung disease), and Influenza-induced Pneumonia cases tend to be more severe and deadly.
The flu virus invades the lungs and multiplies, with almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. Viral Pneumonia could be complicated by a secondary invasion of bacteria.
There are protective vaccines for the flu and some types of Pneumonia, but because flu strains change every year, the organization advises getting flu shots each season.
It adds that one Pneumonia vaccination is enough, though boosters are recommended for some people.
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