PNEUMONIA: ACTUAL CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT
Pneumonia is a severe respiratory infection that affects the lungs. The infection leads to inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs, which are called alveoli. The alveoli are filled with air when a healthy person breathes. However, an individual with pneumonia will have his or her alveoli filled with fluid or pus. Thus, making it difficult to breathe and restricting the inhalation of oxygen.
Besides, anyone can develop pneumonia, it isn’t restricted to a particular age group. The people most susceptible to developing pneumonia are young children, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions that weaken the immune system.
Actual Causes of Pneumonia
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Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Both viral and bacterial pneumonia are communicable. This means they can spread from one individual to another through breathing in airborne droplets from sneeze or cough. You can also contract these types of pneumonia by coming into connection with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses. Pneumonia is naturally due to infectious pathogens. They can spread via coughing and sneezing or by contaminating surfaces that people touch.
Now you know pneumonia is a respiratory infection that isn’t caused by taking cold water, or exposing yourself to too much air from a fan or an air conditioner.
Stages of Pneumonia
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Bronchopneumonia. Bronchopneumonia can affect areas in and around both of your lungs. It’s often located close to or round your bronchi. These are the tubes that lead from your windpipe to your lungs.
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Lobar pneumonia. Lobar pneumonia affects one or more lobes of your lungs. Each lung is made of lobes, which are defined sections of the lungs. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the common causative organism of lobar pneumonia.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
The common symptoms of pneumonia are:
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Coughing that may produce phlegm, green, yellow or bloody phlegm
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Shortness of breath or fast breathing that happens while doing normal activities, or even while resting
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Chest pain that usually worsens when taking a deep breathe
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Nausea
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Fever
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Sweating
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Fatigue
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Loss of appetite
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Headaches
Other symptoms according to age:
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Infants may vomit, lack of energy, difficulty in eating or drinking
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Children under 5 years old may have fast breathing or panting
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Older adults may have milder symptoms. They can also experience confusion or lower than normal temperature.
Treatment
Treatment of pneumonia depends on the type and severity of the pneumonia.
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Bacterial pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics.
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Viral pneumonia. A doctor may prescribe antiviral medications if influenza is the cause.
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Fungal pneumonia. Treatment usually involves antifungal medications.
In addition, whatever the cause of pneumonia, it is important that you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated helps thin out thick phlegm and mucus, making it easier to cough up.
Also, hospitalization for pneumonia may be compulsory if symptoms are serious or a person has a weakened immune system. Hospitalization is also necessary for other serious illness that needs careful medical attention. In the hospital, you may receive intravenous antibiotics and fluids. You may also need a supplemental oxygen supply, depending on how critical it is.
In conclusion, pneumonia is generally due to an infection. People can also develop pneumonia after taking in contaminated food, water, or saliva into their lungs. It is common among children, older adults and people with established medical conditions. Whatever the cause of this respiratory infection, treatment includes getting plenty of rest and drinking plenty of fluids.
