What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. Our lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli which are normally filled with air in a normal healthy person. In pneumonia, these small sacs of air spaces are filled with pus and fluid, making them hard to breath and thus limiting the intake of oxygen.
Pneumonia affects children and adults everywhere. According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide. 808 694 children under the age of 5 in 2017 were killed by pneumonia, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under the age of 5.
Signs and Symptoms
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Chest pain when you breathe or cough
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Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
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Cough, which may produce phlegm
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Fatigue
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Fever, sweating and shaking chills
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Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
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Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
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Shortness of breath
Causes of pneumonia
Pneumonia is caused by a number of infectious agents including bacteria, viruses and fungi. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Normally, our body prevents these germs from infecting our lungs but sometimes these germs can overpower our immune system even when we generally have good health.
Types of pneumonia
There are a few types of pneumonia which are classified according to the types of germs that cause it.
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Community-acquired pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities and is normally caused by:
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Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It can occur on its own or after a person has a cold or flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
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Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than other causes of pneumonia. It is often referred to as walking pneumonia as it is often not severe enough to require bed rest for the patient.
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Fungi. It is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune function and in people who have inhaled large doses of fungi that can be found in soil or bird droppings.
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Viruses. Some of the viruses that cause colds and flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years old. It is usually mild but in some cases can become quite severe. COVID-19 may cause pneumonia which can become quite severe.
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Hospital-acquired pneumonia
People that catch pneumonia during their hospital stay for another illness is known as hospital-acquired pneumonia. This type of pneumonia can be serious because the bacterias causing hospital-acquired pneumonia are more resistant to antibiotics, making it harder to treat. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators) are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
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Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a person inhales the food, drink, vomit or saliva into their lungs. It is more likely if something disturbs their normal gag reflex, such as brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Treatment
Medications would be prescribed depending on the cause of your pneumonia.
Oral antibiotics can treat most cases of bacterial pneumonia. Important thing to note is to always finish your antibiotics even if you are feeling better. This is to prevent the bacterias from building up resistance towards the antibiotics given and thereby making treatment plans relatively simpler compared to when there are antibiotics resistant bacterias.
In most cases of pneumonia, bacteria would be the cause. However, if it is caused by a virus, antibiotics would not work. In many cases of viral pneumonia, it is cleared on its own. In some cases, antivirals can be prescribed by the doctor.
As for fungal pneumonia, antifungal medications are used and may be taken for several weeks to clear the infection.
Doctors may also recommend the use of paracetamol or NSAIDs for pain and fever. Cough medicines may also be given to help calm down the coughing so that the patient can have some rest.
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References
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354210
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/pneumonia#treatment
