Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection, Dangers of Pneumonia is discussed in this page
At the end of the breathing tubes in your lungs are clusters of tiny air sacs. If you have pneumonia, these tiny sacs become inflamed and fill up with fluid.
Symptoms of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
-a cough – which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
-difficulty breathing – your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting
-rapid heartbeat
-fever
-feeling generally unwell
-sweating and shivering
-loss of appetite
-chest pain – which gets worse when breathing or coughing
Less common symptoms include:
=coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
-headaches
-fatigue
-nausea or vomiting
-wheezing
-joint and muscle pain
-feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people
Who’s affected?
Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it’s more common – and can be more serious – in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly.
People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia.
What causes pneumonia?
Pneumonia is usually the result of a pneumococcal infection, caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Many different types of bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus, can also cause pneumonia, as well as viruses and, more rarely, fungi.
As well as bacterial pneumonia, other types include:
viral pneumonia – most commonly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and sometimes influenza type A or B; viruses are a common cause of pneumonia in young children
aspiration pneumonia – caused by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, such as a peanut, or a harmful substance, such as smoke or a chemical
fungal pneumonia – rare case and more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system
hospital-acquired pneumonia – pneumonia that develops in hospital while being treated for another condition or having an operation; people in intensive care on breathing machines are particularly at risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia
The following groups have an increased risk of developing pneumonia:
-babies and very young children
-elderly people
-smokers
-people with other health conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or a heart, kidney or liver condition
-people with a weakened immune system – for example, as a result of a recent illness, such as flu, having HIV or AIDS, having chemotherapy, –or taking medication following an organ transplant
Diagnosing pneumonia
Your doctor may be able to diagnose pneumonia by asking about your symptoms and examining your chest. Further tests may be needed in some cases.
Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many symptoms with other conditions, such as the common cold, bronchitis and asthma.
If you have mild pneumonia, you probably won’t need to have a chest X-ray or any other tests.
Treating pneumonia
Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by:
getting plenty of rest
taking antibiotics
drinking plenty of fluids
If you don’t have any other health problems, you should respond well to treatment and soon recover, although your cough may last for some time.
As pneumonia isn’t usually passed from one person to another, it’s safe to be around others, including family members.
However, people with a weakened immune system should avoid close contact with a person with pneumonia until they start to get better.
For at-risk groups, pneumonia can be severe and may need to be treated in hospital.
This is because it can lead to serious complications, which in some cases can be fatal, depending on a person’s health and age.
Dangers of Pneumonia
Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes.
Possible complications of pneumonia include:
pleurisy – where the thin linings between your lungs and ribcage (pleura) become inflamed, which can lead to respiratory failure
a lung abscess – a rare complication that’s mostly seen in people with a serious pre-existing illness or a history of severe alcohol misuse
blood poisoning (septicaemia) – also a rare but serious complication
You’ll be admitted to hospital for treatment if you develop one of these complications.
Preventing pneumonia
Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and aren’t passed on from one person to another, ensuring good standards of hygiene will help prevent germs spreading.
For example, you should:
cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze
throw away used tissues immediately – germs can live for several hours after they leave your nose or mouth
wash your hands regularly to avoid transferring germs to other people or objects
A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia. For example, you should avoid smoking as it damages your lungs and increases the chance of infection.
Excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse also weakens your lungs’ natural defences against infections, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia.
Source: General Health Info
