Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs. It can be caused by a fungal, viral, or bacterial infection with fluid buildup in the lungs. Patients suffer from difficulty breathing, a fever, and a cough with green, bloody, or yellow mucus. Patients can suffer different symptoms depending on whether they have fungal, viral, or bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is more common and severe. It can be treated with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia resolves on its own. Viral pneumonia causes flu-like symptoms.

Pneumonia is classified based on its pathogen (fungal, viral, or bacterial).

Community acquired pneumonia: As the name suggests, this pneumonia is acquired through the community.

Bacteria: The most common bacterial infections for pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumonia, and legionella. Symptoms include a high fever above 105 F, confusion or altered medical state, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, a cough with bloody, yellow, or green mucus, cyanosis, congestion in the chest, a rapid heart rate, and rapid breathing.

Viruses: Sometimes viruses of the common cold, flu, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 lead to pneumonia. These symptoms include headaches, dry coughs, extreme tiredness, and muscle pain.

Fungi: Fungi like Coccidioides, Pneumocystis jirovecii, and Cryptococcus can cause pneumonia.

Hospital acquired pneumonia: This pneumonia is acquired while in the hospital. This pneumonia is severe as it is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus. This can make you sicker and harder to treat.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: This pneumonia is caused by a long term stay in a health care facility. This is also caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: You are at risk of this pneumonia when you need a ventilator in an ICU bed for breathing.

Only a general practitioner can diagnose pneumonia. As the symptoms of a cold, flu, and pneumonia are the same; it is vital to seek medical attention in cases of serious symptoms such as congestion in the chest, shortness of breath, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and a cough with sputum (bloody mucus, yellow or green). In young children, symptoms of pneumonia are restlessness, vomiting, rapid breathing, fever, chills, sweating, difficulty feeding, pale skin, crying, and noisy breathing. On the other hand, in adults, symptoms include sudden changes in mental state, fatigue, and low appetite.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

Pneumonia can be diagnosed by a simple chest x-ray or CT scan that looks for signs of infection. Blood tests to look for bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Sputum test to determine signs of infection. Pulse oximetry is used to find oxygen levels in our blood. Pleural fluid culture to find specific bacteria causing pneumonia. Bronchoscopy to look inside the lungs.

Treatment

Pneumonia treatment can include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, oxygen therapy, and IV fluids. In addition to that, a doctor may prescribe cough suppressants, fever reducers, breathing treatments, using a humidifier, and drinking plenty of fluids.

You can reduce the risk of getting pneumonia by quitting smoking, washing your hands regularly, avoiding sharing items, eating a healthy, nutritious diet, and avoiding alcohol consumption.