Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) and the surrounding tissue. It is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects one or both lungs. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.
Causes
Pneumonia is caused by several infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. If your pneumonia results from bacteria or a virus, you can spread it to someone else.
Most of the time, a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is caused to bacterial pneumonia. Sometimes, other types of bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzai or Mycoplasma pneumoniae are also involved.
Common causes of viral pneumonia are influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Some people who are in the hospital get “ventilator-associated pneumonia” if they got the infection while using a ventilator, a machine that helps you breathe. Community-acquired pneumonia is when someone develops pneumonia in the community (not in a hospital) and Healthcare-associated pneumonia is when someone develops pneumonia during or following a stay in a healthcare facility.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary depending on what’s causing pneumonia, Age, and a person's overall health. They usually develop over several days.
The typical signs of pneumonia are sudden high fever and chills. People with pneumonia start to feel unwell within just a few hours.
Common pneumonia symptoms include:
Chest pain when you breathe or cough
Cough that produces phlegm or mucus
Fatigue and loss of appetite
Fever, sweating, and chills
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Risk factors
The risk of developing pneumonia is particularly high in babies and older people (over 65 years).
People who have a weakened immune system, for example, due to diabetes, kidney problems, or cancer present a higher risk for pneumonia.
Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, heart diseases, smoking, and certain viral infections such as the flu (influenza) can make people more prone to pneumonia.
People who have been exposed to lung irritants, such as pollution, fumes, and certain chemicals also increase the risk.
People who are hospitalized have a much higher risk of developing pneumonia than do non-hospitalized individuals.
Treatment
Treatment for Pneumonia is Depending on the severity of the illness and the risk of complications.
Physiotherapy plays a major role in treating pneumonia alongside other healthcare professionals.
Prevention methods
▪️ Generally, practicing personal hygiene, like regular hand washing, is the best way to prevent respiratory infections.
▪️ Vaccination prevents certain bacterial and viral types of pneumonia both in children and adults.
▪️ In children, pneumonia can prevent by adequate nutrition to improve immunity and addressing environmental risk factors.
▪️ Dietary supplements such as vitamin products are often used to strengthen the immune system.
▪️ Don't smoke.
References:-
https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-pneumonia-basics
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525774/
Yashodha Masinghe
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