Pneumonia Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Prevention Strategies

All About Pneumonia Symptoms and Treatment

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. 

What is 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.    

What are the Different Types of Pneumonia? 

This infectious disease is classified based on causes; types of pneumonia include: 

• Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP)
• Community-acquired pneumonia occurs outside of a healthcare facility in a community setting. 
• Aspiration Pneumonia

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. 

Hospital-acquired Pneumonia (HAP)

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

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia (VAP)

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. 

Walking Pneumonia

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.  

Who is Most Susceptible to Pneumonia Infection? 

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: 

• Children from birth to 5 years old. 
• People with poor immune systems due to HIV, organ transplantation, pregnancy, and certain medications like cancer drugs and steroids intake.  
• People with several heart or lung conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive disease. 
• Older population ages 65 and above. 
• People with chronic neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dementia and stroke. 
• Any person is regularly exposed to toxic fumes and air pollution and is living in hospitals or crowded environments. 
• People who smoke, drink alcohol, and use drugs.     
   

What are Common Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia in Adults and Children? 

Mild to severe pneumonia symptoms are categorised among babies, adults, and older people.  

Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia 

Bacterial pneumonia symptoms can occur suddenly or gradually. 

• Cough with green, yellow, and bloody mucus are the main pneumonia disease symptoms.
• Ear infection, meningitis, and sinus infection are Community-acquired pneumonia symptoms. 
• Rapid breathing and sometimes can face difficulties with shortness of breath. 
• Tiredness and extreme sweating as aspiration pneumonia symptoms 
• Rapid heart rate
• Abdominal pain and chest pain with deep breathing or cough 
• Losing appetite 
• Problem of altered or confused mental state 
• Bluish skin and nails, lip issues 

Symptoms of Viral Pneumonia 

Viral pneumonia symptoms are similar to bacterial lung infection but with some additionals. 

• Headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Dry cough, atypical pneumonia symptoms.
• Extreme weakness or tiredness  

Symptoms of Pneumonia in Babies

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia in infants and babies are different from older people, including:  

• General discomfort, fever, flushed skin
• Breathing difficulties 
• Cough.
• Dehydration and Vomiting.
• Restlessness.
• Lack of energy.
• Cough. 

Signs that parents can identify in infants and children as early-stage pneumonia symptoms  include: 

• Decreased amount of pee.
• Grunting sound while noisy breathing.
• Limpness.
• Pale skin.
• Feeding difficulties are aspiration pneumonia symptoms in infants.
• Excessive crying more than usual these days. 

Pneumonia Symptoms in Adults 

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:

• Low appetite.
• Sudden changes in mental state.
• Fatigue. 

What are the Main Causes of Pneumonia? 

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. 

• Streptococcus pneumoniae and gram-negative enteric bacilli are the most common bacteria. 
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria usually cause atypical pneumonia. 
• Other bacteria of CAP are Chlamydia pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, and Legionella pneumophila. 
• Common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus (flu), and covid virus, as well as protozoa like toxoplasma, can cause CAP. 
• Fungi like Pneumocystis jirovecii, Coccidioides, and Cryptococcus can cause CAP in people with weak immune systems. 
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant bacteria cause HAP.

The following list includes common illnesses causing pneumonia.

• The flu.
• Common cold, fever.
• SARS-COV-2 (Covid-19)
• Human parainfluenza virus 
• Pneumococcal disease 
• Human metapneumovirus
• Legionnaires disease  

How can Pneumonia be Diagnosed? 

People with pneumonia need to perform one or more tests below to diagnose, including examining blood fluid and measuring lung performance.  

Radiography: 

CT scan or chest X-ray shows a visual representation of particular areas of lung infection and confirms chest inflammation diagnosis.    

Sputum Test: 

A sputum test helps to determine the pathogens of the patient responsible for pneumonia-causing. 

Blood Test: 

Blood culture tests show bacteria growth and whether the infectious microorganisms grow into the bloodstream from the lungs.  

Pulse Oximetry: 

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. 

Arterial Blood Gas Test: 

This blood test provides an accurate reading of carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the body.  

Fluid Test: 

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. 

Bronchoscopy: 

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.  

How is Pneumonia Typically Treated? 

Treatments of pneumonia based on causes can manage symptoms, including: 

Antifungal Medications: 

Antifungal medications such as itraconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B and voriconazole can treat fungal pneumonia. 

Antibiotics: 

Antibiotics help to treat bacterial pneumonia. Commonly, doctors prefer antibiotics for treating pneumonia symptoms, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, and moxifloxacin.  

Oxygen Therapy: 

Temporary oxygen therapy helps to balance enough oxygen levels in blood from the lungs and reduces breathing problems of pneumonia patients. 

Antiviral Medications: 

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. 

Draining of fluids: 

If a patient reports lots of fluid between the chest wall and lungs, they need to drain it with surgery.  

IV Fluids: 

Fluids can be directly delivered into the vein (IV) of the patient to prevent or treat dehydration pneumonia symptoms.  

What are the Major Complications of Long-term Untreated Pneumonia? 

Babies, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions may face some possible complications of pneumonia. 

• Respiratory failure: This can occur when the lungs struggle to efficiently exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, which may necessitate mechanical ventilation.
• Pericarditis: It refers to inflammation of the pericardium or sacs and surroundings of the heart. 
• Empyema: Infection of a membrane space area, surrounding chest cavity and lungs. 
• Atelectasis: Partial or complete collapse of the specific area or entire lungs.  
• Endobronchial Obstruction: A blockage of bronchi that moves air into the lungs.  
• Lung Abscess: This is a rare complication of pneumonia that occurs due to the blockage of pus in the lungs. 
• Sepsis: It is a life-threatening immune response to septicemia that causes organ failure, tissue damage, and death. 
• Pleurisy: Respiratory failure due to membrane inflammation between ribcage and lungs. 
  Thus, to avoid severe complications, you must visit a doctor early if you notice any symptoms of pneumonia. 

How to Prevent Pneumonia? 

Vaccines are the best solution to fight against viruses and bacteria and prevent pneumonia.

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: 

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.  

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine:

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.  

Vaccinations Against Viruses: 

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. 

Lifestyle Tips to Prevent Pneumonia

Along with vaccinations, healthy habits can help to prevent pneumonia. These are: 

• Quit smoking: It can damage the lungs and increase the likelihood of getting infected. 
• Wash hands regularly with hand soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers before handling or eating food.  
• Cover nose and mouth while sneezing and coughing. 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, and have a balanced diet with healthy and nutritious food to strengthen the immune system.   
   

Takeaway 

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.