Pneumonia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

An infection known as pneumonia causes inflammation in one or both of the lungs' air sacs. The air sacs might fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), resulting in a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be caused by many different organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The severity of pneumonia can range from minor to life-threatening. Infants and young children, those over 65, and those with compromised immune systems or other health issues are at the highest risk.

 Pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, and the flu are major causes of pneumonia. The cause and severity of pneumonia determine the course of treatment.

What is pneumonia?

A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of the lungs is known as pneumonia. Pneumonia can result in fluid or pus in your lungs and cause inflammation, or swelling, of the lung tissue. Compared to viral pneumonia, which frequently goes away on its own, bacterial pneumonia is typically more severe.

One or both lungs may be affected by pneumonia. Bilateral or double pneumonia is the term for pneumonia that affects both lungs.

Also Read: Asthma, Cause, Symptoms, Diagnose, Treatment and Prevention

What types of pneumonia are there?

We classify pneumonia into three categories: ventilator-associated pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and community-acquired pneumonia, depending on the organism (virus, bacteria, or fungi) that caused it.

Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP)

Community-acquired pneumonia is the term for pneumonia contracted outside of a medical setting. Among the causes are:

• Bacteria: The most frequent cause of CAP is an infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, commonly known as pneumococcal disease. Meningitis, sinus infections, and ear infections can also be brought on by pneumococcal illness. Atypical pneumonia, which typically has less severe symptoms, is caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella (Legionnaires' disease) are other bacteria that cause CAP.

• Viruses: Pneumonia can occasionally result from viruses that cause the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

• Fungi: Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Coccidioides are examples of fungi that are uncommon causes of pneumonia. The most vulnerable to fungus-induced pneumonia are those with weakened immune systems.

• Protozoa: Toxoplasma and other protozoa can occasionally cause pneumonia.

 Hospital-acquired pneumonia(HAP)

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) can occur while you are receiving treatment for another sickness or procedure in a hospital or healthcare facility. Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria are frequently the cause of HAP, it is typically more dangerous than community-acquired pneumonia. This implies that HAP may worsen your condition and make treatment more challenging.


 Healthcare-associated Pneumonia  (HCAP)

HCAP can be obtained at outpatient, extended-stay clinics or in long-term care facilities, like nursing homes. Similar to hospital-acquired pneumonia, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are typically the cause.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

You run the risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) if you require a respirator or other breathing machine to help you breathe while you are in the hospital, usually in the intensive care unit. VAP is brought on by the same germs that cause community-acquired pneumonia and the drug-resistant strains that cause hospital-acquired pneumonia.


Pneumonia from aspiration

When solid food, liquids, spit, or vomit enter your lungs through your trachea (windpipe), it is known as aspiration. Your lungs may become infected if you are unable to cough these up.

Symptoms:

The 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. Mild signs and symptoms often are comparable to those of a cold or flu, but they remain longer.


Pneumonia symptoms and indicators could include:

• Chest pain during coughing or breathing

• Changes in mental awareness or confusion (in persons 65 and older)

• Coughing, which could result in phlegm

• Weariness

• Sweating, chills, and a fever

• Body temperature below normal (in persons over 65 and those with weakened immune systems)

• Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea

• Shortness of breath

Viral pneumonia typically presents with mild symptoms that develop gradually. They could consist of:

• Coughing

•  Chills

•  Fever

• A headache

• Breathlessness, particularly when exerting oneself

Consult your physician if you experience chest pain, persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

Pneumonia symptoms in infants

Pneumonia in babies can cause no symptoms at all. However, they could appear worn out or restless. They may also be experiencing breathing difficulties, vomiting, fever, or coughing. They might also have trouble eating.

What is the cause of pneumonia?

When your immune system targets an infection in the alveoli, which are tiny sacs in your lungs, pneumonia may result. Your lungs swell and leak fluids as a result.

The infections that cause pneumonia can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most frequent cause in adults is bacteria, while the most frequent cause in school-age children is viruses. Pneumonia can result from the following common illnesses:

• Cold (rhinovirus).

• SARS-COV-2, or COVID-19.

• Influenza virus, or the flu.

• HMPV, or human metapneumovirus.

• HPIV, or human parainfluenza virus.

• Disease caused by legionnaires.

• Bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumonia.

• The pneumococcal disease.

• Pneumonia is caused by pneumocystis.

• RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus.

Risk factors:

Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the two age groups most at risk are:

• Youngsters under two years of age

• People 65 years of age or older

Additional risk factors consist of:

• Being admitted to the hospital. Being in a hospital intensive care unit increases your chance of contracting pneumonia, particularly if you are using a ventilator or other breathing apparatus.

• Chronic diseases. Having heart illness, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases your risk of contracting pneumonia.

• Smoking. The natural defenses your body has against bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia are weakened by smoking.

• Immune system weakness or suppression. Individuals who get chemotherapy or long-term steroids, have had an organ transplant, or have HIV/AIDS are at risk.

Complications:

Some patients with pneumonia, particularly those in high-risk groups, may develop complications even after receiving therapy, such as:

• Blood-stream bacteria (bacteremia). Organ failure may result from bacteria that enter your bloodstream from your lungs and spread the infection to other organs.

• Having difficulty breathing. You can have problems breathing in adequate oxygen if your pneumonia is severe or if you have long-term lung conditions. While your lung heals, you might need to stay in the hospital and utilize a ventilator.

• Collection of fluid (pleural effusion) surrounding the lungs. Fluid may accumulate in the pleura, the thin layer of tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs, as a result of pneumonia. You might require surgery to remove the fluid or have it drained through a chest tube if it gets infected.

• Lung abscess. If pus develops in a lung cavity, an abscess results. Antibiotics are typically used to treat an abscess. The pus may occasionally need to be removed by surgery or drainage using a long needle or tube inserted into the abscess.

Diagnosis:

In an attempt to identify the origin of your pneumonia, your doctor may do tests that assess lung function, check for infection in your lungs, and examine body fluids like blood. These consist of:

• Imaging: To check for infection, your doctor may use a CT scan or chest X-ray to acquire images of your lungs.

• Blood tests: To assist is identifying the type of infection causing your pneumonia, your doctor may do a blood test.

• Sputum test: To get a sample for analysis by a laboratory, you are instructed to cough and then spit into a container. The laboratory will search for indications of an infection and attempt to identify the cause.

• Pulse oximetry: To help your doctor assess how well your lungs are functioning, a sensor measures the amount of oxygen in your blood.

• Pleural fluid culture: A tiny needle is used by your healthcare professional to draw fluid from the area surrounding your lungs. To help identify the source of the illness, the sample is sent to a laboratory.

• Arterial blood gas test: To determine how well your lungs are functioning, your doctor draws blood from your wrist, arm, or groin to evaluate the level of oxygen in your blood.

• Bronchoscopy: In some cases, your healthcare professional may examine the inside of your lungs using a bronchoscope, a thin, lighted tube. They might also collect fluid or tissue samples for laboratory analysis.

What is the treatment for pneumonia?

The severity of your illness and the source of your pneumonia—bacterial, viral, or fungal—determine how it is treated. Since its cause is frequently unknown, the goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent the worsening of the condition.


Among the possible treatments are:

• Antibiotics: Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Although they cannot cure viruses, a doctor might recommend them if you also have a bacterial infection.

• Antifungal medications: These drugs may treat pneumonia brought on by a fungal infection.

• Antiviral medications: Viral pneumonia typically resolves on its own without the need for medication. Antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), or peramivir (Rapivab®) may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to shorten the duration of a viral illness.

• Oxygen therapy: A medical professional may administer additional oxygen to you through a mask on your face or a tube in your nose if you're not getting enough of it.

• IV fluids: Dehydration can be treated or avoided using fluids straight into your vein.

• Draining of fluids: A healthcare professional may drain a pleural effusion, which is a large collection of fluid between the chest wall and lungs. Surgery or a catheter is used for this.

Being admitted to the hospital
You might require hospitalization if:

• You are over 65.

• You don't understand time, people, or locations.

• Your renal function is declining.

• Your diastolic blood pressure is 60 mm Hg or less, or your systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mm Hg.

• You breathe quickly (30 breaths per minute or more).

• You require help breathing.

• You have a lower-than-normal temperature.

• Your heart rate is either over 100 or under 50.

If you require a ventilator or other breathing apparatus, or if your symptoms are severe, you can be admitted to the intensive care unit.

Hospitalization of children may occur if:

• They are less than two months old.

• They appear dehydrated, have low blood oxygen levels, struggle to breathe, and are lethargic or too tired.

Prevention:

Getting vaccinated against the germs and viruses that frequently cause pneumonia is the best method to prevent it. You can also lower your risk of pneumonia by taking simple preventative measures.

• Two different kinds of vaccinations (shots) are available to prevent pneumonia brought on by pneumococcal bacteria. These immunizations, like the flu shot, won't protect against all types of pneumonia, but they can reduce the chance that it will be severe.

• Ensure children get their vaccinations. For children under the age of two and those between the ages of 2 and 5 who are particularly vulnerable to pneumococcal illness, doctors advise a separate pneumonia vaccine. It is also recommended that children who attend group childcare centers have the vaccination. For children older than six months, doctors also advise getting vaccinated against the flu.

• Vaccines against pneumonia bacteria include Pneumovax23® and Prevnar13®. Each of them is advised for specific age groups or people who are more susceptible to pneumonia. Find out which vaccine is best for you or your loved ones by speaking with your healthcare professional.

• Vaccinations against viruses: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu can help lower your risk of contracting pneumonia because some viruses can cause the illness.

Other ways to lower your risk of pneumonia

You can lower your chance of contracting and spreading pneumonia by adopting several healthy behaviors in addition to getting vaccinated:

• Quit smoking. Smoking harms your lungs and increases your risk of illness.

• Before handling food, before eating, and after using the restroom, wash your hands with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in the absence of soap.

• If one of you has an infectious condition, such as the flu, a cold, or COVID-19, stay away from close contact and exchanging objects with other individuals.

• Do not hesitate to question your healthcare providers about how you can lower your chance of contracting an illness while you are in a hospital or other healthcare institution.

• Seek treatment for any further illnesses or infections you may have. Your immune system may be weakened by certain disease, increasing your risk of contracting pneumonia.

• Don't drink too much alcohol.

• Maintain a robust immune system. Eat a balanced diet, exercise frequently, and get adequate sleep.

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