Causes of pneumonia
An illness called pneumonia causes the air sacs in one or
even both lungs to become inflamed. The air sacs may swell with fluid or pus
(purulent material), which can lead to a cough that produces pus or phlegm, a
fever, chills, and breathing difficulties. Pneumonia can be brought on by a
number of different species, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
The severity of pneumonia can range from minor to
life-threatening. The most vulnerable groups include newborns and young
children, adults over 65, and those with health conditions or weaker immune
Pneumonia can present with mild to severe signs and
symptoms, depending on the type of germ that caused the illness, your age, and
general health. Mild common symptoms frequently resemble cold or flu symptoms,
but they linger longer.
Pneumonia symptoms and signs can also include:
- Chest aches when breathing or coughing
- Confusion or shifts in awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
- Fatigue Cough that could result in phlegm
- Fever, perspiration, and shivering chills
- Lower than usual body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Breathing difficulties
There may be no symptoms of the infection in newborns and
young children. Also possible are vomiting, fever and cough, agitation,
exhaustion, and lack of energy, as well as problems, with breathing and eating.
visit the doctor
Consult a physician if you experience breathing
difficulties, chest pain, a persistent temperature of 102 F (39 C) or higher,
or a chronic cough, particularly if you are coughing up the pus.
People in such high-risk groups should make an appointment
with a doctor immediately:
- Adults who are above 65
- Children under the age of two who exhibit certain symptoms
- Individuals with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems
- Those undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressive drugs
Pneumonia can swiftly turn into a life-threatening condition
for some older adults, people with heart failure, and those with chronic lung
Pneumonia can be brought on by numerous bacteria. In the air
we breathe, bacteria and viruses are the most prevalent. Usually, your body
protects you from harmful bacteria getting into your lungs. But even if your
health is normally strong, these viruses occasionally have the capacity to
overwhelm your immune system.
Depending on the specific types of germs that cause
illness and how you contracted the infection, there are several varieties of
Most pneumonia cases are caused by community-acquired
pneumonia. It takes place apart from hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
It could result from:
- Bacteria. Streptococcus
pneumonia is the most frequent cause of bacterial pneumonia in the United
States. This kind of pneumonia can develop independently or following a cold or
the flu. Lobar pneumonia is a disorder that can only affect one lobe of the
organism. Pneumonia can also be brought on by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Compared to other varieties of pneumonia, it often causes fewer severe
symptoms. This sort of pneumonia, which often isn't severe enough to require
bed rest, is known informally as "walking pneumonia."
- Fungi. People
with weak immune systems or chronic health conditions are more likely to get
this type of pneumonia, as are those who have breathed high concentrations of
the microorganisms. Depending on the region, the funguses that cause it can be
found in soil or bird droppings.
infections, such as COVID-19. Most viruses that cause the
common cold and the flu can also lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia in children under
the age of five is typically brought on by viruses. Most viral types of pneumonia are
not severe. It can, however, occasionally get really bad. Pneumonia that
might result from the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) is serious.
acquired in a hospital
Many patients who are in the hospital for another sickness
also develop pneumonia. So because individuals who contract it are already ill
and because the bacteria that cause it may be more resistant to treatments,
hospital-acquired pneumonia can indeed be serious. This type of pneumonia is
more common in patients who are using ventilators, which are common in
intensive care units.
acquired in a medical facility
People who reside in long-term care facilities or who
receive medical attention in outpatient clinics, particularly kidney dialysis
facilities, are at risk for developing healthcare-acquired pneumonia, a
bacterial infection. The same bacteria that can cause hospital-acquired
pneumonia can also cause healthcare-acquired pneumonia, which is more
difficult to treat with medications.
Because once you inhale saliva, vomit, food, or liquids into
your lungs, aspiration pneumonia happens. Aspiration is much more likely to
occur if something interferes with your natural gag response, such as brain
damage, swallowing issues, or excess alcohol or drug usage.
Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the two age groups that
are most at risk are:
- Children under the age of two
- Those who are at least 65 years old
danger signs consist of:
Being in a hospital In a hospital intensive care unit, you
run a higher risk of developing pneumonia, especially if you depend on a breathing
machine (a ventilator).
illness If you have asthma, heart disease, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), you are more prone to getting pneumonia.
Smoking is when natural defenses your body has against viruses and bacteria that
cause pneumonia are harmed.
- The immune system is repressed or weak. Anyone who has HIV/AIDS has undergone organ transplantation, is using long-term steroids, or has received
chemotherapy is at risk.
Although with therapy, complications from pneumonia can
arise for certain people, particularly for those in high-risk categories.
- Viruses and bacteria in the blood. When bacteria from your lungs enter your bloodstream, they can infect other organs and perhaps lead to organ failure.
in difficulty breathing. You can find it difficult to breathe in
enough oxygen if your pneumonia is severe or if you have underlying chronic
lung conditions. While your lung heals, you might need to be hospitalized and
utilize a ventilator.
- The buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). The narrow area
between layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity may become
clogged with fluid as a result of pneumonia (pleura). You might need to have
the fluid removed surgically or through a chest tube if it becomes infected
infection. If pus accumulates in a lung cavity, an abscess develops.
Antibiotics are typically used to treat an abscess. The pus may occasionally
need to be removed through surgery or drainage using a long needle or tube
inserted into the abscess.
To aid in preventing pneumonia:
vaccinated. Some forms of pneumonia and the flu can be prevented with
vaccines. Consult your doctor about getting these shots. Even if you are aware
that you have previously had a pneumonia vaccine, the immunization
recommendations have changed over time, therefore it is important to discuss
your vaccination status with your doctor.
sure kids receive their vaccinations. For children under the age of
2 and for those between the ages of 2 and 5 who are particularly at risk for
pneumococcal disease, doctors advise a separate pneumonia vaccine. Children who
attend a group daycare facility also need to get a shot. Children older than
six months are also advised to get flu vaccines by doctors.
proper hygiene. Regular hand washing or the use of an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer will help you prevent respiratory infections,
which can occasionally develop into pneumonia.
smoking. The natural defenses of your lungs against respiratory infections
are harmed by smoking.
a robust immune system. Get enough rest, work out frequently, and
maintain a balanced diet.
Post a Comment