Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It affects the lower respiratory tract. This includes small bronchi (airways) and air sacs in the lungs.

There are three main causes:

• Bacterial pneumonia—caused by bacteria, most commonly Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Atypical bacterial pneumonia —often called "walking pneumonia," but can cause a more serious or potentially fatal pneumonia
• Viral pneumonia—caused by a virus

Other causes of pneumonia include:

• Fungal infections, such as infections that are common in people with AIDS

Pneumonias are sometimes described by where it was acquired and how you were exposed to it:

• Nosocomial pneumonia—acquired during a hospitalization
  • Can be very dangerous, especially for patients on a ventilator
• Aspiration pneumonia —happens when a foreign matter (often stomach content) is inhaled
• Community-acquired pneumonia—acquired in the community (eg, at school, work, gym)

Factors that increase your chance of pneumonia include:

• Weakened immune system caused by AIDS or chemotherapy
• Age: 65 or older
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Chronic bronchitis
• Chronic exposure to certain chemicals (eg, work in construction or agriculture)
• Chronic illness, such as heart or lung disease
• Flu or other respiratory illness
• Infants and very young children
• Malnutrition
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Stroke (aspiration pneumonia due to difficult swallowing)

Symptoms of pneumonia may include some or all of the following:

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and listening to your chest. Tests may include:

• Arterial blood gas—measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid in the blood
• Blood tests
• Bronchoscopy —direct examination of airways
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the chest
• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the body, in this case the chest
• Pulse oximetry—measures the amount of oxygen in the blood
• Sputum culture—testing mucus coughed up from deep in the lungs

Treatment of pneumonia depends on:

• Other factors
• Severity of symptoms
• Type of pneumonia

Common treatment approaches include:

• For viral pneumonia—antiviral medicines may be prescribed for young children and people with weakened immune systems
  • Note: Antibiotics are ineffective for treating viral pneumonia.
• Atypical pneumonia—antibiotics
• For bacterial pneumonia—antibiotics

It is very important to take the medicine as prescribed. Stopping medicine early may cause a relapse. It may also create a strain of drug resistant bacteria.

General treatment approaches include:

• Eating a healthy diet (includes lots of fruits and vegetables )—If you do not get enough vitamin C in your diet, ask your doctor if you should take a supplement (up to 1,000 mg). This may be beneficial for some people.
• Being hospitalized (in severe cases)
• Getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids
• Taking over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever, aches, and cough

If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, follow your doctor's instructions .

Certain vaccines may prevent pneumonia:

• Flu shot for people at high risk, particularly the elderly (Pneumonia may be a complication of the flu.)
• Pneumococcal vaccine —General recommendations include:
  • PCV vaccine series for children
  • PPSV for adults aged 65 years and older and for younger people who are at high risk for getting infected

Other preventive measures include:

• Avoid close contact with people who have the cold or flu.
• Eat a healthy diet. If you do not get enough vitamin C or zinc in your diet, ask your doctor if you should take these supplements.
• Avoid smoking. Smoke weakens the lungs' resistance to infection. http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/
• Exercise regularly .
• Get adequate rest.
• Protect yourself on jobs that affect the lungs.
• Wash your hands often. This is very important when coming in contact with infected people.