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Pneumonia is a respiratory infection in which the air sacs of both lungs become inflamed or become filled with fluid or pus. This results in a cough with phlegm or pus, difficulty breathing, fever and chills.
Various organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. It can range from mild to life-threatening conditions. The condition is more severe in children and people older than 65 years. A compromised immune system has a low chance of survival.
Pneumonia can be divided into the following types based on different causes:
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is a condition wherein certain individuals contract pneumonia while undergoing treatment for another medical ailment in a hospital setting. The severity of hospital-acquired pneumonia arises from the potential resistance of the causative bacteria to antibiotics, coupled with the compromised health of the affected individuals who are already unwell. Notably, those reliant on breathing machines, commonly employed in intensive care units, face an elevated risk of developing this form of pneumonia.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a lung infection contracted outside healthcare settings. It's caused by various microorganisms, including bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae), viruses (e.g., influenza), and fungi. Symptoms include cough, fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Factors like weakened immunity and close contact with respiratory infections are also key contributors to CAP.
Healthcare-acquired pneumonia is an infectious bacterial condition observed in individuals inhabiting long-term care facilities or undergoing care in outpatient clinics, including centres for kidney dialysis. Similar to hospital-acquired pneumonia, this form of pneumonia can be attributed to bacteria displaying an increased resistance to antibiotic treatments.
As for aspiration pneumonia, it occurs when substances such as food, drink, vomit, or saliva are inadvertently inhaled into the lungs. The likelihood of aspiration increases if there is a disturbance in the normal gag reflex, which may be influenced by factors such as a brain injury, swallowing difficulties, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Pneumonia may clinically range from mild to severe depending on the bacterial activity, age and overall health of the patient. Some characteristic symptoms of pneumonia include:
Newborns and infants may be asymptomatic or may show symptoms such as vomiting, fever, cough, restlessness or tiredness, and difficulty breathing and eating.
Based on the area of the lungs affected, pneumonia may be classified into:
Pneumonia can develop in any age group. However, children and the geriatric age group carry the highest risk. Other risk factors include:
Pneumonia may cause complications in complex cases, such as those with a weak immune system or chronic conditions. These complications include:
Pneumonia is often diagnosed with the patient's medical history and performing a physical exam. Often, doctors look for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds in the lungs on breathing that may suggest pneumonia.
If the doctor suspects pneumonia, further tests that are advised include:
Other tests include:
Treatment depends on the cause of the pneumonia, whether it's bacterial, viral, or fungal. Common treatments may include:
Pneumonia can be prevented in the following ways:
People who are at high risk of contracting pneumonia include:
The symptoms of pneumonia in young children can be different from the symptoms in adults. In young children, symptoms of pneumonia may include:
The symptoms of pneumonia in adults can vary depending on the severity of the infection. Common symptoms include:
Some types of pneumonia, such as those caused by viruses, can be contagious. However, bacterial pneumonia is not contagious.
If your doctor suspects that you have pneumonia, they will likely order a chest X-ray. They may also do other tests, such as a blood test or sputum test, to determine the cause of the infection.
Some cases of viral pneumonia will go away on their own within a week or two. However, bacterial pneumonia usually requires antibiotics to treat.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of getting pneumonia, such as:
Some signs that pneumonia is improving include:
Most people's lungs will make a full recovery from pneumonia. However, in some cases, pneumonia can lead to complications, such as lung scarring or pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs).
The amount of time it takes to recover from pneumonia varies depending on the severity of the infection and the overall health of the person. Most people will start to feel better within a few days, but it may take several weeks or even months to fully recover.
Hospitalisation for pneumonia may be urgent for:
Individuals may be admitted to the intensive care unit if they require a breathing machine (ventilator) or if their symptoms are severe. For children, hospitalisation criteria include being younger than 2 months, lethargy, difficulty breathing, low blood oxygen levels, or signs of dehydration.
Reviewed by Dr. Nevin Kishore, Head of Bronchology & Senior Consultant - Respiratory Medicine, Pulmonology on 14 Feb 2024.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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