Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It causes parts of the lung become filled with fluid, which makes it harder to breathe. It is caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, nonbacterial organisms and sometimes fungi. It usually affects children younger than 2, adults age 65 or older, and people with chronic health problems. The elderly and people with certain medical conditions such as chronic heart, lung, or liver diseases or sickle cell anemia, are especially at risk of getting seriously ill and dying from this disease. There are many different types of pneumonia, which range in seriousness from mild to life threatening .

Causes

Many cases of pneumonia are caused by bacterial infections. The most common infectious cause of pneumonia in the United States is the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus) which can spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear, or nervous system. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia are Haemophilus (H.) influenzae, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A Streptococcus.

You may develop bacterial or viral pneumonia after you've had an upper respiratory infection casued by a virus such as a cold or the flu.

About 50 percent of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses. Viral pneumonia often occurs in the fall and winter and is usually not as severe as pneumonia caused by bacteria. Viruses that can cause pneumonia are: Influenza viruses, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Human parainfluenza virus (HPV), Adenoviruses, and Herpesviruses.

Mycoplasma are tiny organisms with characteristics of both bacteria and viruses.

Mycoplasma pneumonia tends to be mild and highly contagious. Although people of any age can catch mycoplasma, infections are most common among teen-agers and young adults. Many people with this type of pneumonia never know they have it or seek medical care. Another organism similar to mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae, can also cause pneumonia.

There are a number of other causes of pneumonia, including fungi, parasites, and other diseases, but they are much less common.

There are a number of other causes of pneumonia, including fungi, parasites, and other diseases, but they are much less common.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia can be similar to a cold or the flu. Different types of pneumonia may have different symptoms, depending on the cause. Older people may have fewer or different symptoms. They may come on more slowly. So,   a minor cough with weakness for more than a day in an older person requires a medical evaluation.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may appear gradually or come on suddenly. They may include:

• Shaking/chills

• High fever

• Severe chest pain and/or abdominal pain

• Sweating

• Cough with thick, rust-colored, or greenish mucus

• Increased breathing and pulse rate

• Bluish-colored lips or nails

• Nausea, vomiting, muscle aches

Viral Pneumonia

The symptoms of viral pneumonia include:

• Fever

• Dry cough

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Increasing breathlessness

Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia are often similar to both bacterial and viral pneumonia, though they appear more gradually and are often milder.

Treatment

If you have symptoms of pneumonia, your doctor may do a chest x-ray examination. You may also have blood tests to check your white blood cell count and look for the presence of viruses, bacteria, or other organisms that cause pneumonia.

Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and speed recovery from Mycoplasma pneumonia. There are no effective treatments for most types of viral pneumonia, which usually resolve on their own.

Other treatments for pneumonia include rest and getting plenty of fluids. Coughing helps clear infected material from your lungs, so your doctor may not want to give you medication to completely suppress your cough.

If your pneumonia is serious, you may be hospitalized, where you can be observed closely and given antibiotics intravenously (in your vein) if necessary. In some cases you may require supplemental oxygen or be placed on a ventilator.

Preventive Care for Pneumonia

• A vaccine against some of the common types of Streptococcus pneumonia is recommended for people over age 65 and other people at high risk for pneumonia.

• A vaccine can be used to protect young children against pneumonia. It's recommended for all children under age 2 and for children over age 2 who are at high risk for pneumonia, such as children with asthma.

• Because pneumonia often occurs as a complication of the flu, annual influenza vaccinations are also a good way to prevent pneumonia.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 to 30 seconds to eliminate the germs that can cause pneumonia and don’t put fingers or hands in your nose or mouth.

• Keep up your resistance to infection with a good diet, plenty of rest, and regular exercise.

• Don't smoke. It can damage your lungs' natural defense against respiratory infections.