UNDERLYING THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung caused by bacteria, fungi (pneumocystis), viruses and mycoplasma affecting primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. It is not a single disease and has more than 30 different causes. Influenza is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults, and respiratory viruses are responsible for causing one-third of all pneumonia cases. Community acquired pneumonia can be acquired anywhere, whether you are in school or at work place. When people get pneumonia at hospital, it is usually called as nosocomial or hospital acquired pneumonia.

WHO ARE AT RISK TO PNEUMONIA

Anyone can acquire the disease & can be life-threatening to anyone, but particularly infants, children and people over 65 years of age are more commonly found to be at high risk, as they have weak immune system. People with certain chronic medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic lung diseases, COPD and asthma, diabetes, heart failure, or to those who have a history of cigarette smoking.

IS PNEUMONIA CONTAGIOUS?

Most kinds of pneumonia arecontagious. Both bacterial and viral pneumonia can spread to others through inhalation of airborne droplets from a sneeze or a cough.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA

• It is usually marked by greenish or yellowish cough, fever, shaking chills and breath shortness.
• Other possible symptoms include headache, excess sweating, and clammy skin, loss of appetite, fatigue, sharp or stabbing pains in the chest, low energy and confusion in elderly people.

HOW IS PNEUMONIA DIAGNOSED

• Your physician will ask you related symptoms and in order to confirm it, may order x-ray chest and blood test.
• Pulse oximetry, where a oxygen sensor placed on one of your fingers can indicate whether your lungs are moving enough oxygen through your bloodstream
• Gram stain and mucus test, in case where you are severely ill and chances of acquiring asthma or COPD, are at risk.
• Bronchoscopy, where a tube is gently guided down the throat into the lungs to check the airways for an infection.

HOW TO PREVENT AND WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR PNEUMONIA

Experts generally recommend immunization for children and adults. Children get the pneumococcal vaccine as part of their routine shots. Two different types of pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for people ages 65 and older. If you smoke or are suffering from a long-term health disease, then you should get a pneumococcal vaccine. It may not keep you from getting pneumonia, but there are chances that you won't get much sick. You can also get an influenza vaccine to prevent the flu, because sometimes people, who suffer from flu, are prone to pneumonia. Your doctor may also prescribe OTC drugs to relieve your pain and fever which can get you relief in 2-3 days. These may include ASPIRIN,IBUPROFEN(ADVIL, MOTRIN) & ACETAMINOPHEN (TYLENOL). PNEUMONIA VACCINE Two vaccines are available for pneumonia won't prevent all cases of the condition. But if you're vaccinated, you are likely to have a milder and shorter illness with lower risk of complications.

• Prevnar 13: Indicated for babies and children under 2 years of age and for adults over 65 yrs.
• Pneumovax 23: for adults between ages 19-64, who smoke and for adults over 65.

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