Pneumonia

What are the causes?

Pneumonia: Tuberculosis is also one of the important causes of pneumonia

Bacteria are the commonest cause, but pneumonia may also be due to viruses and other organisms. Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus is the most common bacteria, accounting for nearly half the cases. Other bacteria may cause pneumonia in hospitalised or very sick patients, in children with cystic fibrosis, and in people with chronic lung conditions. Tuberculosis is also one of the important causes of pneumonia.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include fever, chest pain, cough, chills, shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Older people may be very sick yet may have few symptoms. Coughing up sputum or phlegm containing pus or blood is an indication of serious infection. In very sick cases, the skin may appear bluish (cyanosis), breathing is laboured and heavy and the patient is confused due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.

What are the risk factors?

People with a weak immune system and those above the age of 65 are more prone to pneumonia than others.  Even those who smoke may have higher chances of catching the disease.  Infections such as common cold and flu also increase the risk of pneumonia. If you have had any recent surgery or undergone a trauma, then even that can increase the risk of dealing with pneumonia. Other risk factors of Pneumonia are :

1.     Alcohol and drugs abuse

2.     Diabetes

3.     Cancer

4.     Asthma

5.     Liver diseases

6.     Bronchitis

7.     Cardiovascular disease

What are the types?

There are nearly 8 types of pneumonia – some caused by germs, some caused by the location and some are those which are acquired. Different types of pneumonia caused by germs are:

1.     Vira pneumonia -  This is caused by respiratory viruses.

2.     Bacterial pneumonia -  This is caused by streptococcus pneumoniae.

3.     Fungal pneumonia – This is caused by fungi from the soil.

Pneumonia may also be influenced by location. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) may be caused during someone’s stay at the hospital. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one that is caused in a community setting.

Aspiration pneumonia may occur when someone inhales bacteria into his system through drinks, food or saliva. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) may occur  to those who use the ventilator to get pneumonia.

How is the diagnosis made?

In many cases the physician is able to make a diagnosis on the clinical history and physical examination. Sometimes, the physician may advise blood tests and sampling of the sputum or phlegm that is coughed up. A chest X-ray is done to confirm the diagnosis and identify if there is pleural effusion. CT scan may be necessary in some instances.Sometimes, obtaining fluid from the pleural space (with syringe and needle) or inserting a flexible bronchoscope into the trachea under local anaesthesia may be necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

What is the treatment?

For severe pneumonia, antibiotics are administered into the vein (intravenous). These may be given for 5 to 10 days or even longer. All antibiotics carry some risk for allergic reactions, which can be serious in some cases. Some commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, ampicillin, amoxycillin, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Fever may need to be controlled by acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Steam inhalation helps soothe the air passages and relieve cough. Patients with lung abscess, empyema or other complications may require an operation. Chest physiotherapy including coughing, deep breathing exercises and chest tapping are important to help remove the mucous and pus from within the lungs.

What are the prevention?

A healthy diet, regular physical exercises and deep breathing exercises, all help maintain the body's defence mechanisms. One must avoid close contact with people who have flu or cold, or are coughing.