What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that swells the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough containing phlegm, fever, chills, and difficulty to breathing.
The seriousness of Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.
You can have pneumonia in one or both lungs. You can also have it and not know it which is called thw "walking pneumonia" by the doctors. If your pneumonia is caused from bacteria or a virus, it can be contagious for the people around you.
Lifestyle habits, like smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol, can also raise your chances of getting pneumonia.
Types of Pneumonia:
Pneumonia can be grouped by it's cause. The main types of pneumonia are:
Bacterial pneumonia: This type is caused by various bacteria in which the most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It usually occurs when the body is weak, such as by illness, poor diet, old age, or weak immunity, in these situations the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs easily. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but you are at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, have recently had surgery, have a respiratory disease or viral infection, or have a weakened immune system.
Viral pneumonia: This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu (influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia.
Mycoplasma pneumonia: This type has different symptoms and physical signs and is referred to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It generally causes a mild, widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups.
Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. They usually develop over several days.
Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia, which may be followed by:
Headache
Increasing shortness of breath
Muscle pain
Weakness
Worsening of the cough
You may observe the following symptoms for pneumonia:
Chest pain when you breathe or cough.
Confused mental state or delirium, especially in older people.
Cough, which may produce phlegm (green, yellow, or bloody mucus).
Bluish color to lips and fingernails.
Fatigue.
Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
Loss of appetite.
Lower than normal body temperature.
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea/
Rapid breathing.
Rapid pulse.
Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity
Mycoplasma pneumonia has somewhat different symptoms, which include a severe cough that may produce mucus.
When to see a doctor?
See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing up pus.
It's especially important that people in these high-risk groups see a doctor:
Adults older than age 65
Children younger than age 2 with signs and symptoms
People with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system
People receiving chemotherapy or taking medication that suppresses the immune system
For some older adults and people with heart failure or chronic lung problems, pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening condition.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds that suggest pneumonia. The following tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis:
Chest X-ray. This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
Blood tests. This test may be used to see whether infection is present and if infection has spread to the bloodstream (blood cultures). Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
Sputum culture. This test is done on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth. It’s often used to see if there’s an infection in the lungs.
Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot.
Chest CT scan. This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce sharp, detailed horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than regular X-rays.
Bronchoscopy. This is direct exam of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs) using a flexible tube (called a bronchoscope). It helps to evaluate and diagnose lung problems, assess blockages, and take out samples of tissue and/or fluid for testing,
Pleural fluid culture. In this test, a sample of a fluid sample is taken from the pleural space. This is the space between the lungs and chest wall. A long, thin needle is put through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space. Fluid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle. It is sent to the lab where it’s tested to find out which bacteria is causing the pneumonia.
Complications caused by pneumonia:
Pneumonia can have complications, including:
Bacteremia, in which bacteria spread into your blood. This can cause septic shock and organ failure.
Trouble breathing, which might mean you need to use a breathing machine while your lungs heal.
Fluid buildup between the layers of tissue that line your lungs and chest cavity. This fluid can also become infected.
Lung abscess, when a pocket of pus forms inside or around your lung.
Treatment:
Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication. Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more.
Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia, your age and your overall health. The options include:
Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic.
Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. Because coughing helps loosen and move fluid from your lungs, it's a good idea not to eliminate your cough completely. In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the-counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest.
Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort. These include drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
Preventions:
Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations.
The flu is a common cause of pneumonia. Because of that, getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia.
There is also a pneumococcal vaccine. It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot.
The pneumococcal shot is also recommended for all children and adults who are
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