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Pneumonia is an illness that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed. The air sacs may become clogged with fluid or pus (purulent material), resulting in a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of species, including bacteria, viruses, and fungus.
The severity of pneumonia can range from minor to life-threatening. It is especially dangerous for newborns and young children, persons over the age of 65, and those who have health problems or compromised immune systems.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA?
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia range from mild to severe, depending on the type of germ causing the infection, as well as your age and overall health. Mild symptoms and signs are frequently similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer.
Pneumonia symptoms and signs may include:
- When you breathe or cough, you may experience chest pain.
- Changes in mental awareness or confusion (in adults age 65 and older)
- Coughing that may result in phlegm
- Fatigue
- High fever, sweating, and chills
- Body temperature that is lower than normal (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
- Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Breathing difficulty
Infants and newborns may not show any signs of infection. They may also vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired, or have difficulty breathing and eating.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Consult your doctor if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, a persistent fever of 102 F (39 C), or a persistent cough, particularly if you're coughing up pus.
It is critical that people in these high-risk groups see a doctor:
- Adults over the age of 65
- Children under the age of two who exhibit signs and symptoms
- People who have a pre-existing medical condition or a weakened immune system
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressive medications
Pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening condition in some older adults and people with heart failure or chronic lung problems.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PNUEMONIA?
Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of bacteria. Bacteria and viruses are the most common in the air we breathe. Normally, your body stops these viruses from infecting your lungs. However, even if your health is normally good, these viruses can sometimes overwhelm your immune system.
Pneumonia is classified based on the sort of germs that cause it and where the illness occurred.
Community-acquired pneumonia
The most prevalent type of pneumonia is community-acquired pneumonia. It happens outside of hospitals or other medical facilities. It could be caused by:
- Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the United States. This type of pneumonia can emerge on its own or as a result of a cold or virus. It can infect only one lobe of the lung, which is known as lobar pneumonia.
- Bacteria-like organisms: Pneumonia can also be caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It usually causes less severe symptoms than other types of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is an informal term for this type of pneumonia, which is usually not severe enough to necessitate bed rest.
- Fungi: People with chronic health problems or compromised immune systems are more likely to develop this type of pneumonia, as are those who have inhaled significant amounts of the organisms. It is caused by fungi that can be found in soil or bird droppings and varies based on geographical region.
- Viruses, including COVID-19: Some viruses that cause colds and flu can also cause pneumonia. Viruses are the leading cause of pneumonia in children under the age of five. In most cases, viral pneumonia is mild. However, in certain circumstances, it might be very serious. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has the potential to cause severe pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Some patients get pneumonia while in the hospital for another sickness. Because the bacterium that causes it may be more resistant to medications and because the people who receive it are already unwell, hospital-acquired pneumonia can be dangerous. People who use breathing devices (ventilators), which are commonly used in intensive care units, are at a higher risk of contracting this type of pneumonia.
Health care-acquired pneumonia
Health-care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that affects people who live in long-term care homes or receive care in outpatient clinics, such as renal dialysis centers. Health care-acquired pneumonia, including hospital-acquired pneumonia, can be caused by bacteria that are resistant to medications.
Aspiration pneumonia
When you inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva into your lungs, you get aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration is more common if something interferes with your usual gag response, such as a brain damage or swallowing issue, or if you use alcohol or drugs excessively.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PNEUMONIA?
Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the two age groups most at risk are:
- Children under the age of two years
- People over the age of 65
Other risk factors are:
- Being in the hospital: If you're in a hospital intensive care unit, you're more likely to have pneumonia, especially if you're on a breathing machine (a ventilator).
- Chronic illness: If you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart disease, you are more prone to get pneumonia.
- Smoking: Tobacco use undermines your body's natural defenses against the germs and viruses that cause pneumonia.
- Immune system weakness or suppression: People with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, and those who get chemotherapy or long-term steroids are at risk.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF PNEUMONIA?
Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, particularly those in high-risk groups, may develop complications such as:
- Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream): Bacteria that enter the bloodstream from the lungs can spread the infection to other organs, potentially resulting in organ failure.
- Breathing difficulties: If you have severe pneumonia or chronic underlying lung diseases, you may have difficulty breathing in enough oxygen. While your lung heals, you may need to be hospitalized and use a breathing machine (ventilator).
- Pleural effusion (fluid accumulation around the lungs): Pneumonia can cause fluid to accumulate in the thin space between the tissue layers that line the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). If the fluid becomes infected, it may need to be drained through a chest tube or surgically removed.
- Lung abscess: An abscess develops when pus forms in a cavity of the lung. Antibiotics are typically used to treat an abscess. To remove the pus, surgery or drainage with a long needle or tube inserted into the abscess may be required.
HOW IS PNEUMONIA DIAGNOSED?
Your doctor will begin by inquiring about your medical history and performing a physical exam, which will include listening to your lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds that could indicate pneumonia.
If you suspect pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- Blood tests: Blood tests are performed to confirm an infection and to try to identify the organism that is causing it. Exact identification is not usually achievable.
- Chest X-ray: This assists your doctor in diagnosing pneumonia as well as determining the extent and location of the infection. It cannot, however, tell your doctor what type of germ is causing the pneumonia.
- Pulse oximetry: This test determines the amount of oxygen in your blood. Pneumonia can cause your lungs to stop delivering enough oxygen to your bloodstream.
- Sputum test: After a deep cough, a sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken and analyzed to help determine the source of the infection.
If you are over the age of 65, are in the hospital, or have serious symptoms or health conditions, your doctor may order additional tests. These could include:
- CT scan: If your pneumonia isn't clearing up as quickly as expected, your doctor may advise you to get a chest CT scan to get a more detailed image of your lungs.
- Pleural fluid culture: A fluid sample is taken from the pleural area with a needle inserted between your ribs and analyzed to help determine the type of infection.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia treatment entails both curing the infection and preventing complications. Patients with community-acquired pneumonia can usually be treated at home with medication. Although most symptoms subside within a few days or weeks, tiredness can last for a month or more.
Specific treatments are determined by the type and severity of your pneumonia, as well as your age and overall health. Among the options are:
- Antibiotics: These medications are prescribed to patients suffering from bacterial pneumonia. It may take some time to determine the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and select the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe another antibiotic.
- Cough medication: This medication may be used to relieve your cough and allow you to rest. Because coughing helps loosen and evacuate fluid from your lungs, it's best not to stop coughing totally. Furthermore, very few trials have been conducted to determine if over-the-counter cough medications reduce coughing induced by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, start with the lowest dose that allows you to sleep.
- Pain relievers/fever reducers: These can be taken as needed for fever and discomfort. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
Hospitalization
You may require hospitalization if:
- You are over the age of 65.
- You are confused about time, persons, or locations.
- Your kidney function has deteriorated.
- Your systolic blood pressure is less than 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and your diastolic blood pressure is less than 60 mm Hg.
- Your breathing is quick (30 breaths or more a minute)
- You require breathing support.
- Your body temperature is lower than normal.
- Your heart rate is either below or above 100 beats per minute.
If you require a breathing machine (ventilator) or if your symptoms are severe, you may be admitted to the intensive care unit.
Children may be hospitalized if any of the following conditions exist:
- They are under the age of two months.
- They're sluggish or drowsy all the time.
- They are having difficulty breathing.
- They have low quantities of oxygen in their blood.
- They appear to be dehydrated.
HOME REMEDIES FOR PNEUMONIA
These suggestions will help you heal faster and reduce your risk of complications:
- Get enough rest: Return to school or work only after your temperature has returned to normal and you have stopped coughing up mucus. Even if you begin to feel better, be cautious not to overdo it. Because pneumonia can reoccur, it's best not to resume your normal routine until you've fully recovered. If you're unsure, consult your doctor.
- Keep hydrated: To assist release mucus in your lungs, drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Take your medication exactly as directed: Take all of the drugs that your doctor has prescribed for you. If you stop taking your treatment too soon, your lungs may continue to retain bacteria, causing your pneumonia to reoccur.
HOW CAN PNEUMONIA BE PREVENTED?
To aid with pneumonia prevention:
- Get vaccinated: Some kinds of pneumonia and the flu can be prevented with vaccines. Consult your doctor about receiving these shots. Immunization requirements have changed over time, so make sure to discuss your vaccination status with your doctor, even if you recall receiving a pneumonia vaccine in the past.
- Ensure that kids get vaccinated: Doctors prescribe a separate pneumonia vaccine for children under the age of two, as well as children aged two to five who are at high risk of pneumococcal illness. Children who attend a day care center should also receive the immunization. Doctors also advise flu vaccines for youngsters above the age of six months.
- Maintain good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to protect yourself from respiratory infections, which can sometimes lead to pneumonia.
- Avoid smoking: Tobacco use weakens your lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.
- Maintain a healthy immune system: Get enough sleep, exercise frequently, and eat a nutritious diet.