Pneumonia is the most common infectious disease in children worldwide. In 2019, this disease accounted for the death of around 740,180 children, 14% of 5 years old and 22% of under 5 years old children. Treatments depend on the severity and causes of pneumonia, such as bacterial and viral infections.
This article delves into pneumonia symptoms in children and adults along with causes of getting transmitted. Furthermore, it describes different types of pneumonia, tests for diagnosis, risks, treatment options, and possible measures to prevent pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection, typically due to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. This disease causes inflammation of air sacs, which are filled with pus or fluid, leading to breathing difficulties, cough, and fever as primary symptoms. Both bacterial and viral pneumonia are contagious and can spread from inhalation of airdrops of sneezes and coughs.
This infectious disease is classified based on causes; types of pneumonia include:
This pneumonia results from Inhaling bacteria containing liquids, foods, or saliva into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is not a contagious infection, such as fungal pneumonia. It may grow in a short period and spread into the bloodstream.
Bacterial pneumonia acquired 48 hours after being admitted to the hospital for another procedure or illness is considered hospital-acquired pneumonia. HAP symptoms include chest pain and greenish cough, is a more serious disease compared to CAP
When any patient needs a breathing machine or respirator in the ICU and gets pneumonia, called Ventilator-associated pneumonia, it can occur after 48 hours of longer stay in ventilation. VAP causes low oxygen levels and increases respiratory secretions.
A milder respiratory infection of pneumonia is walking pneumonia. Fatigue, vomiting, coughing and fever are major walking pneumonia symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of walking pneumonia and needs a longer recovery time.
Anyone can get a lung infection, but certain groups of people of different ages have a higher risk of getting pneumonia. The susceptible group of getting pneumonia at a higher chance includes:
Mild to severe pneumonia symptoms are categorised among babies, adults, and older people.
Bacterial pneumonia symptoms can occur suddenly or gradually.
Viral pneumonia symptoms are similar to bacterial lung infection but with some additionals.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia in infants and babies are different from older people, including:
Signs that parents can identify in infants and children as early-stage pneumonia symptoms include:
Adults with weak immune systems and over 65 years old may have less recognisable symptoms like short breathing and cough. Older adults may experience early symptoms of pneumonia with worsened health conditions like:
Pneumonia-causing pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can spread via air droplets from sneezing, coughing, or while touching containing surfaces. Mostly, while breathing, any person can contract these pathogens into alveoli, small air sacs within their lungs. In this stage, white blood cells respond to attack the infectious bacteria or virus and trigger inflammation of air sacs. Air sacs filled with pus and fluid cause pneumonia, leaving lungs to leak fluids and swell.
Infectious agents causing pneumonia are listed below.
The following list includes common illnesses causing pneumonia.
People with pneumonia need to perform one or more tests below to diagnose, including examining blood fluid and measuring lung performance.
CT scan or chest X-ray shows a visual representation of particular areas of lung infection and confirms chest inflammation diagnosis.
A sputum test helps to determine the pathogens of the patient responsible for pneumonia-causing.
Blood culture tests show bacteria growth and whether the infectious microorganisms grow into the bloodstream from the lungs.
This test measures oxygen levels in the blood. A sensor is placed on one finger to check whether the lungs are moving sufficient amounts of oxygen through the bloodstream.
This blood test provides an accurate reading of carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the body.
In case doctors suspect any fluid in the pleural space of a patient's chest, they need to take the test. Fluid test helps to identify the cause of lung infection.
A clinical process involves a bronchoscope, which is placed into the lungs of a person under anaesthesia. The Bronchoscope is a flexible and thin tube with a camera and light attached. It helps to examine and detect infected parts of the lungs and airways.
Treatments of pneumonia based on causes can manage symptoms, including:
Antifungal medications such as itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B and voriconazole can treat fungal pneumonia.
Antibiotics help to treat bacterial pneumonia. Commonly, doctors prefer antibiotics for treating pneumonia symptoms, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, and moxifloxacin.
Temporary oxygen therapy helps to balance enough oxygen levels in blood from the lungs and reduces breathing problems of pneumonia patients.
Viral pneumonia usually goes away without treatment with medicines. Zanamivir, Oseltamivir, and peramivir are the commonly prescribed antiviral medicines to reduce fever in pneumonia patients.
If a patient reports lots of fluid between the chest wall and lungs, they need to drain it with surgery.
Fluids can be directly delivered into the vein (IV) of the patient to prevent or treat dehydration pneumonia symptoms.
Babies, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions may face some possible complications of pneumonia.
Vaccines are the best solution to fight against viruses and bacteria and prevent pneumonia.
Doctors may recommend this pneumococcal vaccine as PCV13 or Prevnar for children under 2 years and above. For infants, Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines usually refer to routine immunisations under medical conditions.
Doctors prescribe this vaccine as PPSV23 or Pneumovax for people ages 2 to 64 years older. 19 to 64-year-old adults with chronic diseases like kidney or lung, heart disease, and diabetes may be referred with this vaccine.
Children under 5 years, young adults, and older people should receive vaccines against the flu and COVID-19 virus to reduce the risk of getting lung infections.
Along with vaccinations, healthy habits can help to prevent pneumonia. These are:
Pneumonia is a lung infection that spreads through air drops from sneezing, coughing, and inhaling contaminated foods. Leading pneumonia symptoms are breathing difficulties, cold, fever, cough with mucus, and chilis. Doctors prefer antibiotics, antiviral medicines, antifungal medicines, and vaccinations to treat and prevent this infectious disease.
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