Symptoms and Treatment for Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, fungi, virus or mycoplasma. One or both the lungs get infected when someone is affected by Pneumonia. Adults suffer from bacterial Pneumonia other than any other type of Pneumonia. Pneumonia symptoms affects the lungs as they get inflamed in the air sacs which are called alveoli. The air sacs get filled with fluid or pus which makes it difficult to breathe.

Early Pneumonia symptoms range from coughing, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, feeling chilled etc. Everyone may not go through all the symptoms. The symptoms can vary from person to person based on the age, the kind of infection etc.

Viral Pneumonia is caused by respiratory viruses. Viral pneumonia usually affects young children and older people. Viral pneumonia is less serious than Pneumonia caused by bacteria, virus or mycoplasma. The Pneumonia symptoms caused by the virus are similar to may start with flu-like symptoms which start with wheezing. After 12 to 36 hours, the person may suffer from high fever.

Bacterial Pneumonia is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumonia. Chlamydophila pneumonia and Legionella Pneumophila are two other kinds of bacteria which can cause pneumonia. The symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria can cause the high fever which can go up to 105°F. The symptoms may also include profuse sweating, bluish lips and nails, and confusion.

Mycoplasma is an organism that is different from viruses or bacteria which can cause mild Pneumonia symptoms as bacterial Pneumonia.  Adults and children are affected by this Pneumonia usually.

Fungi are present in soil, bird droppings and practically everywhere. Sometimes if people come in contact with too many fungi and for a long time, they may get affected by Pneumonia. Usually, this kind of Pneumonia affects people who are weak such as suffering from a disease for a long time or people with Ta weak immune system.

Sometimes people can get affected by Pneumonia when they are in hospitals. This is a bacterial Pneumonia which is much more serious than other kinds of Pneumonia. The bacteria in hospitals is more resistant to the medicines and once attack anyone, it is difficult to eliminate the disease as the medicines won’t work on these kinds of bacteria. Sometimes, People on ventilators can get infected with Pneumonia as their system is weak.

Usually, Pneumonia that is inhaled into lungs when eating or drinking something is caused when people have a weak immune system. The medications can also a person weak if used for a long time and then the Pneumonia causing bacteria can affect a person which may not affect a normal healthy person.

Pneumonia can spread through the air when another person inhales the air filled with bacteria or virus. When a person is infected with Pneumonia, the people around that person are at risk as the bacteria or virus can spread in the air when the person coughs or sneezes. cefprozil, cefpodoxime, and cefuroxime are antibiotics which can cure the Pneumonia.

Anyone can get infected with Pneumonia, but children and old people get infected easily as their immune system is weak. Adults who are suffering from chronic diseases, people who had a heart attack or anyone with a weak immune system can get affected by Pneumonia.

Pneumonia symptoms diagnosis start with an examination by a doctor with a stethoscope. The chest X-ray, a blood test can reveal if the lungs are affected by Pneumonia. But the blood test and chest X-Ray will not be helpful in revealing the reason for Pneumonia. A sputum test can be helpful in revealing the reason behind Pneumonia as the sample from lungs is tested in this test.

A pulse oximetry test helps to find out whether enough oxygen is supplied to blood or not. A urine test can identify the type of bacteria which has caused the Pneumonia. The diagnosis of Pneumonia can also be done by having a CT scan which reveals the detailed picture of lungs and the affected part of lungs.

The diagnosis of Pneumonia can also be done through fluid sample to check out whether the fluid is present in the chest and the sample test can reveal the cause of Pneumonia. A bronchoscope test can help in examining the passage of lungs by passing a camera through the throat.

The treatment for symptoms of Pneumonia adults and children on the type of Pneumonia. Antibiotics or over the counter medicine is prescribed for Pneumonia caused by bacteria. This kind of Pneumonia gets cured within three days.  

If you are suffering from Pneumonia, it is always advised to take rest. Drinking plenty of fluids will help in recovering from Pneumonia. Smoking affects lungs and smoking should be stopped if you are affected by Pneumonia. Washing hands on a regular basis help from stopping the infection. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables, following a healthy lifestyle helps in increasing the immunity of the system which can prevent many diseases and Pneumonia.