Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs that can range in seriousness 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. In the vast majority of cases individuals once diagnosed can be successfully treated.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia is probably incredibly over-diagnosed. Most often a patient’s symptoms are the result of bronchitis or another respiratory infection.
What causes pneumonia?
The most common cause of pneumonia is bacteria. Pneumonia can also be caused by a virus and, in very rare cases, by fungi.
Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other healthcare facilities.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia – Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics – and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
Health care-acquired pneumonia – Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities, or who receive care in outpatient clinics including kidney dialysis centers. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, health care-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.
Aspiration pneumonia – Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, – such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
What are some signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
Fatigue. A fever. A cough. These can be signs of pneumonia – but they are also symptoms of other respiratory infections. This is part of what makes pneumonia so challenging to diagnose.
When should you visit the doctor?
If you are having fevers and you are also experiencing shortness of breath, please, please go and see your doctor.
One other guideline to visit your doctor’s office is if symptoms feel serious (which will mean different things for different people) and linger for more than three days. People who are especially vulnerable – older adults, babies – should take action sooner.
Making the diagnosis
Making the diagnosis can be very challenging in some cases. A detailed history and medical examination are required.
If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend a number of blood tests and other investigations including a chest X-ray.
Your doctor might order additional tests if you’re older than age 65, are in the hospital, or have serious symptoms or health conditions.
As the symptoms of pneumonia mimic those of respiratory infections, diagnosing the disease is challenging for doctors. Telling the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis is quite difficult in some cases.
Treatment
Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia, your age and your overall health.
Lifestyle and home remedies
After consulting with your doctor, the following might prove helpful:
• Get plenty of rest. Do not go back to school or work until after your temperature returns to normal, and you stop coughing up mucus. Even when you start to feel better, be careful not to overdo it. It is better not to jump back into your routine until you are fully recovered. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help loosen mucus in your lungs.
• Take your medicine as prescribed. Take the entire course of any medications your doctor prescribed for you. If you stop taking medication too soon, your lungs may continue to harbour bacteria that can multiply and cause your pneumonia to recur.
Pneumonia prevention
Like any viral infection, viral pneumonia is highly contagious – a sneeze or cough spreads the germs through the air. To avoid it, follow those same good habits you use to avoid a cold: wash your hands frequently, clean surfaces (like doorknobs) where germs can cling, and encourage the people around you to sneeze into their elbows (not hands).
Getting your flu vaccine can also help, since the virus may lead to pneumonia infections.
Vaccines that protect against bacterial pneumonia are available for people over age 65, and for young children, and are a tremendously effective prevention tool. Both older adults and children under 5 have a heightened risk of contracting pneumonia.
Cigarette smokers and people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are also more likely than others to get pneumonia.
Conclusion
Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs. Often it is misdiagnosed as symptoms mimic other diseases of the lungs. Severity of the disease varies. It is generally more serious in the elderly, infants and individuals with impaired immune systems and other medical disorders. If you have symptoms suggestive of pneumonia arrange to see your doctor – as in some cases complications can develop which can result in death.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-five years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
