What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a respiratory disease due to an infection in the lungs. It affects the small air sacs in the lungs called alveoli, that become infected, reducing lung capacity and decreasing of oxygen levels. Pneumonia usually starts from an upper respiratory infection due to viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Bacteria and viral pneumonia can be spread through airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough. It may also be contracted through contact with surfaces or objects contaminated with pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses. You may get pneumonia through places such as hospitals, in public, through a ventilator as well as when you inhale contaminated food, stomach acid, or saliva into your lungs.
Pneumonia can range in severity from mild to life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of Pneumonia?
The symptoms of pneumonia may vary among individuals based on the cause of the infection, their age and individual health. Mild symptoms may resemble the common cold or flu but will last longer. Some symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Confusion
- Cough with phlegm
- Fatigue
- Fever, sweating and shaking chills
- Lower than normal body temperature
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
What causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is classified into several different types:
- Community-acquired pneumonia: It is the most common type of pneumonia and occurs outside of hospital and other healthcare facilities. It may be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, fungi, or viruses.
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia: Some people catch pneumonia during their hospital stay for another illnesses. This type of pneumonia may be more serious as the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics. People who are on ventilators, often in intensive care units, are at a higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
- Healthcare-acquired pneumonia: It occurs in people who live in a long-term care facility or who receive care in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers. Similar to hospital-acquired pneumonia, healthcare-acquired pneumonia may be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.
What are the risk factors of Pneumonia?
Pneumonia can affect anyone but the groups at a highest risk of developing the condition are children below the age of 2 and elderly 65 years and above.
Other risk factors include:
- Being Hospitalised: You're at a greater risk of pneumonia if you've been hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit, especially if you are on a ventilator.
- Chronic Disease: You have a higher risk of developing Pneumonia if you suffer from a chronic condition such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease.
- Smoking: Smoking damages your body's immune system that fights against the bacteria and viruses that are responsible for pneumonia.
- Having a weakened or suppressed imune system: You may be at an increased risk of Pneumonia if you suffer from HIV/AIDS, have had an organ transplant, undergoing chemotherapy and have been using steroids for a prolonged period of time.
How do you prevent Pneumonia?
To help prevent pneumonia:
- Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available to prevent certain types of pneumonia and the flu.
- Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to protect yourself against respiratory infections that sometimes lead to pneumonia.
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages your lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.
How is Pneumonia diagnosed?
Blood Test
A blood test will be done to check for elevated white blood cell levels which are indicative of an infection.
Imaging Test
Lung imaging tests are done with ultrasound or CT scan to check the lungs for fluid build-up.
Pulse Oximetry Test
A pulse oximetry test is done to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood.
Sputum test
A sputum test is done to check if an infection is caused by bacteria, virus or fungi.
