Yes, pneumonia can be a communicable disease. However, once a person has reached a certain stage in the course of the illness, they're no longer able to infect someone else, even if they themselves are exhibiting symptoms.

I'd say this is a question for her doctor, though.

IANAD, but unless your wife got some kind of diagnostic culture (which is not so easy for pneumonia), she was probably sent home with a broadband antibiotic like Levaquin on clinical findings of fluid sounds in the lungs, and perhaps a chest xray. In terms of infection risk, you might want to ask your Mom to stay home, because of the risk she (your Mom) represents to Mrs. richat, rather than the other way 'round. Pneumonia is not normally that contagious to healthy people, but it is a big challenge to the immune system itself, and your wife doesn't need any new sources of antigens in her environment until she gets significant improvement on the ones she's battling.

http://www.personalbest.com/yourhealth/library/pneumonia.html

I've read it's common to catch the cold that started the pneumonia in the first place, but to catch the actual pneumonia deeper in the lungs is not common. Good luck! Wash those hands!

In case you'd prefer anecdotal evidence to medical expertise: one time when I had a collapsed lung and pleuracy, and my immune system was so spazzed that I got crazy swollen armpits, I spent a week on a ward with three folk who had pneumonia (one of them died), but I didn't pick it up. So it really can't be that easy to catch.

I think, if your mom is otherwise healthy then it should probably be okay. But if her immune system is depressed then its probably safer to keep her away.

Or you could go get one of those bubbles and put Jen in it for her stay? Or not.

Thanks you guys...I had gone to sleep and missed these last night. My mom called Ontario's TeleHealth system, which is staffed by nurses. They suggested pretty much the same as above (minus the bubble!)

We decided that we would be diligent about the handwashing and no tissues lying around, etc. My mom is a pretty healthy non-smoker, etc.

I do appreciate the comments!

I had pneumonia once, I hope ms. richat feels better soon!