Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in one or both lungs.. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause pneumonia..

This disease causes an infection in the air sacs of the lungs (alveoli). In this disease, the alveoli are filled with fluid or pus and make breathing difficult...

For more information about pneumonia and how to treat it, read this GCORP LLC article.

Remember that you can get instant online advice through GCORP LLC.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Pneumonia germs are contagious....this means that pneumonia can be passed from person to person.

Bacterial and viral pneumonia can be transmitted through inhalation of droplets in the air (sneezing or coughing)..

It is possible that you have received the pneumonia fungus from the environment... but the fungal pneumonia disease is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person.>

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms can be mild or life-threatening... These symptoms include:

• Coughing phlegm (mucous)
• Fever
• Sweating or shivering
Shortness of breath that occurs during normal activities or at rest...
• chest pain that increases when breathing and coughing
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache

Other symptoms of this disease will be different according to your age and general health condition.. such as:

• Children under 5 years old can have wheezing and rapid breathing.
• Children may have no symptoms, but sometimes there may be vomiting, lack of energy, or difficulty drinking and eating.
• Older people can show milder symptoms.. There is a possibility of confusion and a decrease in body temperature in these people.

What are the causes of pneumonia?

Several factors lead to pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia

The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other causes include:

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Legionella pneumophila

Viral pneumonia

Pneumonia is usually caused by respiratory viruses. Some of these viruses are:

• Flu
• Respiratory obstructive virus (RSV)
• Rhinovirus (cold)

Viral pneumonia is usually mild and can heal without treatment within one to two weeks.

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or those around you, you should consult a doctor for a definite diagnosis of pneumonia.. You can get an immediate online consultation through GCORP LLC.

Fungal pneumonia

Fungi found in soil and bird droppings can lead to pneumonia.... These factors lead to pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems.. Some of the fungi that lead to pneumonia are:

• Pneumocystis girosi
• Cryptococcus neoformans
Histoplasma capsulatum

Types of pneumonia

Pneumonia can also be classified based on the place and way of getting sick.

1... Nosocomial pneumonia (HAP)

This type of bacterial pneumonia occurs during hospitalization.. This type of pneumonia can be more serious than other types because this type of virus is more resistant to antibiotics..

2... Community acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is called pneumonia that the patient contracted outside of the hospital environment.

3....Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

When people who use breathing apparatus get pneumonia, this type of pneumonia is called VAP.

4.... Inhalation pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when bacteria enter your respiratory tract through food, drink, or saliva. This type of pneumonia usually occurs when you have difficulty swallowing or because of the use of drugs and alcoholic beverages.

What is the treatment of pneumonia?

Your treatment depends on the type of pneumonia, its severity, and your overall health.

Prescribed drugs

The doctor may prescribe you a series of medicines to help treat pneumonia.... The medicine prescribed for pneumonia depends on its type.

Oral antibiotics will cure most cases of bacterial pneumonia.... Even if you feel better, take your full dose.... Not taking the full dose can prevent the infection from clearing up completely and make it more difficult to treat in the future.

Antibiotic drugs have no effect on viruses... In some cases, doctors also prescribe antiviral drugs... Of course, in some cases, viral pneumonia can be eliminated with home care...

Antifungal drugs are also used to treat fungal pneumonia.. You need to use these drugs for several weeks to completely cure the infection.

Care at home

Your doctor may also prescribe a number of over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve pain and fever. These medications may include:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)...

To help you rest easier and your cough to subside, your doctor will prescribe medication.... Remember that coughing can remove fluid from your lungs, so you shouldn't eliminate it completely... You can help your recovery process by resting and drinking enough fluids.

hospitalization

If your symptoms are very severe or you have other health problems, you may need to be hospitalized.. In the hospital, doctors can monitor your heart rate, temperature, and breathing.... Hospital treatment may include:

• IV antibiotics are injected into the veins..
• Breathing treatments, including medicines that go directly into the lungs or help you breathe to increase your oxygen intake.
• Oxygen therapy to maintain the level of oxygen in the bloodstream (according to the severity of your illness, this oxygen is received through breathing tubes, face masks and breathing apparatus)

What are the risk factors in pneumonia?

Anyone can get pneumonia, but certain people are at greater risk.

These groups are:

• newborn babies up to 2 years
• people aged 65 and older
• People who have a weak immune system due to illness and the use of drugs such as steroids or cancer drugs.
• People who have certain diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes or heart failure...
• People who have recently had a respiratory infection such as a cold or flu.
• People who have recently been hospitalized or are currently hospitalized and using a ventilator.
• People who have had a stroke, have difficulty swallowing, or have conditions that immobilize them.
• Smokers and people who use certain drugs and drinks with a high percentage of alcohol.
• People who are exposed to lung irritants (pollution, smoke and some chemicals).

Pneumonia prevention

In many cases, pneumonia is preventable.

Vaccination

The first line of defense against pneumonia is vaccination... Various vaccines can prevent pneumonia...

Pronar 13 and Pneumovax 23

These two vaccines help protect against bacterial pneumonia and meningitis.. Your doctor will determine which vaccine is best for you.... Pronar 13 is effective against 13 types of pneumonia bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of this vaccine for the following people:

• Children under 2 years
• Adults 65 years and older
• People between 2 and 64 years old with chronic diseases that increase the risk of pneumonia in them.

Pneumovax 23 is effective against 23 types of pneumonia bacteria. CDC recommends the use of this vaccine for the following people:

• Adults 65 and older
• Adults between 19 and 64 years of age who smoke.
• People between 2 and 64 years old who have certain conditions and these conditions increase the risk of pneumonia in them.

Flu vaccine

Pneumonia can be a complicated form of the flu, so be sure to get a flu shot every year... The CDC recommends that people over 6 months of age (especially those at risk of getting the flu) get the shot.

Haemophilus influenzae vaccine (Hib)

This vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), the type of bacteria that causes influenza and meningitis. The CDC recommends the use of this vaccine for the following people:

• All children under 5
• Older children who have not received the flu vaccine or adults who have certain diseases.
• People who have had a bone marrow transplant.

According to the recommendation of the National Institute of Health (NIH), the pneumonia vaccine does not prevent all the mentioned diseases... but if you have injected this vaccine, you will have milder symptoms and the duration of your illness will be shorter...

Other prevention tips

In addition to vaccination, there are other ways to prevent pneumonia:

• If you smoke, quit.... Smoking makes you more susceptible to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Stop your coughing and sneezing.... Throw away the used tissue immediately.
• To have a strong immune system, live a healthy lifestyle... get enough rest, eat healthy and exercise regularly.

You can reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by doing these things, vaccinations, and other things that help prevent it... Here are some more tips to help prevent it.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

The doctor begins his diagnosis by asking about your medical history.... The doctor will ask questions about when symptoms first appeared and your general health... Then a physical examination will be performed.

This physical examination includes listening to lung sounds using a stethoscope and looking for abnormal sounds such as wheezing... Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the risk of further complications, your doctor may ask you to do one or more of the following tests:

X-ray imaging of the chest

The X-ray photo helps the doctor to check the signs of infection in the chest... If the presence of infection is confirmed, this photo can also determine the location and extent of its contamination for the doctor.

Blood culture

In this test, a blood sample is used to confirm the infection.... Culture also helps identify the cause of the disease.

Sputum culture

In sputum culture, a sample of mucus is collected after severe coughing. This sample is sent to the laboratory and the cause of the infection is determined by testing...

Pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in the blood... a sensor is placed on one of your fingers that can measure the adequate flow of oxygen in your blood.

CT scan

Citiscan provides a clear and precise image of the lungs.

Liquid sample

If your doctor suspects fluid in the lungs, he will take a sample of this fluid by inserting a syringe into the lungs. This test can help identify the cause of the infection.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy provides images of the airways of the lungs. This method uses a camera at the end of a flexible tube to pass from the throat to the lungs..

Ambulatory Pneumonia

Ambulatory pneumonia is a milder form of this disease... In some cases, people with this disease do not realize they have pneumonia because their symptoms are milder than pneumonia.

Symptoms of ambulatory pneumonia can include the following:

• Slight fever
• Dry cough that lasts more than a week
• Shiver
• Shortness of breath
• chest pain
• Decreased appetite
• Also, viruses and bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae can cause pneumonia.. Although in ambulatory pneumonia, bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumoniae can also cause the disease.

Although this disease is milder, the possibility of recovery in this disease is longer than pneumonia.

See more: Best Infectious Specialist

Is pneumonia a viral disease?

Various types of pathogens can cause pneumonia.. Viruses are just one of these agents.. Other pathogens include bacteria and fungi.. Some viral infections that can cause pneumonia include:

• Flu
• RSV infection
• Rhinovirus (cold)
• Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) infection
• Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection
• Measles
• Chicken pox (varicella-zoster virus)
• Adenovirus infection
• coronavirus infection
• Although the symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonia are very similar, viral pneumonia is usually milder than bacterial pneumonia. According to the NIH, people with viral pneumonia are at greater risk of developing bacterial pneumonia.

One of the main differences between viral and bacterial pneumonia is how they are treated.. Viral infections do not respond to antiviral drugs... Most viral pneumonia can be treated using home care, although medications may also be prescribed..

Pneumonia has symptoms similar to the coronavirus and you need to be tested for the coronavirus to determine if you have the coronavirus.. Through GCORP LLC, you can get tested for the coronavirus at your home or location and in less Get a response from business hours.

Pneumonia and bronchitis

Pneumonia and bronchitis are two different diseases.. Pneumonia is an infection that affects the air sacs in the lungs.. Bronchitis is an infection that involves the bronchial tubes.. These tubes connect the trachea to the lungs..

Lung infections can include pneumonia and bronchitis.. In addition, chronic bronchitis can be caused by inhaling pollution (such as cigarette smoke).. If left untreated, it can develop into pneumonia. do.

Pneumonia in children

Pneumonia in children is one of the most common diseases... Researchers have estimated that 120 million children worldwide get pneumonia every year.

The causes of pneumonia in children are different in different ages. For example, viral pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are common among children under 5 years of age.

Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia has been observed in children aged 5 to 13.. Mycoplasma pneumonia is one of the causes of outpatient pneumonia.. This disease is a milder form of pneumonia...

See a pediatrician if your child has the following symptoms:

• breathing problems
• Energy deficiency
• Change in appetite

Pneumonia in children can become dangerous.... To prevent the complications of this disease, you can consider home remedies for pneumonia. Although home remedies do not cure pneumonia, some of them can relieve the symptoms caused by this disease.

Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia. Some natural ways to relieve a cough include gargling with salt water or drinking peppermint tea.

OTC pain relievers and cold compresses can be used to reduce fever....Drinking warm water and eating soup can also help relieve chills....Here are six more home remedies.

Although home remedies can help relieve symptoms, you should also stick to your treatment plan..take your prescribed medications.

Improving pneumonia

Most people respond to treatment and get better.... Your treatment depends on the type of asthma, its severity, and your overall health.

Young people recover within a week of treatment. Other people take longer to recover and may feel more tired.. If your symptoms are severe, your recovery may take several weeks..

• Follow your doctor's treatment plan and take all prescribed medications.
• Get enough rest to help your body fight infection.
• Drink enough fluids.
• Ask your doctor when your next appointment is...he may take x-rays of your lungs to make sure the infection is gone.

Complications of pneumonia

Pneumonia disease can have complications, these complications are mostly observed in people with weak immune system or people who have certain diseases such as diabetes.

Exacerbation of chronic diseases

If you have certain conditions, pneumonia can make them worse, including congestive heart failure and emphysema. For some people, pneumonia increases the risk of cardiac arrest.

Bacteremia

Pneumonia bacteria can enter your bloodstream.. This can cause low blood pressure, septic shock, and in some cases, organ failure.

Lung abscess

This disease appears as pus holes in the lung.... Antibiotics can treat this disease.... In some cases, drainage or surgery is required to remove the pus.

Breathing with defects

You may have trouble getting enough oxygen while breathing....you may need a breathing machine in such a situation.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

This syndrome is one of the most severe respiratory failure... This situation is an emergency situation.

Pleural effusion

If pneumonia is not treated, fluid will form around the pleura, which is called a pleural effusion. The pleura is a thin membrane around the lung and inside the chest. This fluid may become infected, in which case it must be drained...

Death

In some cases, pneumonia can be fatal. According to the CDC, more than 49,000 people died of pneumonia in the United States in 2017.

Is pneumonia curable?

Many infectious agents lead to pneumonia.. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many pneumonia diseases can be cured...

In bacterial infections, stopping antibiotics too early can lead to the infection not being completely cleared.... This means that pneumonia can recur.... Stopping antibiotics too early can lead to antibiotic resistance.... Antibiotic-resistant infections are difficult to treat.

Viral pneumonia can be treated using home remedies within one to three weeks.. In some cases, you may need antiviral drugs..

Antifungal medications treat fungal pneumonia, but recovery time may be longer.

Stages of pneumonia

Types of pneumonia can be divided based on the location of contamination in the lungs:

bronchopneumonia

Bronchopneumonia can affect parts of the lungs.. These areas are usually near or around your bronchi. Bronchi are the tubes that connect the trachea to the lungs.

Lobar pneumonia

Lobar pneumonia affects one or more lobes of your lung....Each lung is made up of lobes that define different parts of the lung.

Lobar pneumonia can be divided into four stages according to its progress:

1. Congestion: the lung tissue looks heavy and dense... There is a possibility that the air sacs are filled with infectious fluids
2. Red hepatization: red and white blood cells enter the mentioned liquid....this problem leads to reddening of the lungs.
3. Gray hepatization: red blood cells are destroyed and white blood cells remain....Destruction of red blood cells results in a color change from red to gray...
4. Analysis: white blood cells clear the infection....Coughing with sputum also removes residual mucus from the lung.

Pneumonia of pregnancy

Pneumonia that occurs during pregnancy is also known as maternal pneumonia....Pregnant women are more susceptible to pneumonia than other people....This occurs due to a decrease in the function of the immune system during pregnancy....Pneumonia symptoms are not much different in the first trimester of pregnancy....although some of these symptoms may be seen in the later stages of pregnancy.

If you have symptoms of pneumonia and you are pregnant, contact your doctor as soon as possible.... Maternal pneumonia can cause many complications such as premature labor and low birth weight..

Final speech

You read about pneumonia or pneumonia and got acquainted with the types and causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.... In this regard, for the treatment of pneumonia under the supervision of the best asthma and allergy specialists present at GCORP LLC, make an appointment online from the site and be in touch with the doctor.

Source: Healthline

[sibwp_form id=5]