PNEUMONIA
PNEUMONIA is an infection which affects the respiratory system, especially the lungs. There is inflammation of the air sacs in either or both lungs. The air sacs become air-filled or pus-filled, and these cause cough with pus , fever and difficulty to breathe properly.
Pneumonia is caused by micro-organisms(minute disease causing organisms that can only be observed by the use of special apparatus such as a microscope).
At one point you can encounter people who believe that being rained on can cause pneumonia. This is a myth.
It should be well-known that this condition is life-threatening for paediatrics ( younger children and infants) and geriatrics(populations of the old people) above 70 years.
Risk Factors
Specific groups of individuals are at high risk.These include;
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- Individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health disorders
- Persons receiving immunosuppressive therapy for example Chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment
Smoking
Hospitalization. Use of ventilators that aid in breathing can predispose to pneumonia
Chronic disease. Individuals suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) are high risk of contacting and developing pneumonia
Causes
Classification
Pneumonia is classified according to the type of microbe that causes it or how it was acquired.
- Community-acquired pneumonia . It is the most common form of pneumonia. It occurs outside healthcare centres. It is caused Bacteria, Fungi or Viruses
Bacteria- Streptococcus pneumoniae or Viruses- SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 can also cause pneumonia - Aspiration pneumonia- It happens when one inhales drinks, food, saliva or even a vomitus into the lings.
- Hospital acquired pneumonia. This can occur due to use of ventilators in intensive care units(ICUs). These patients usually are admitted with other conditions but end up contracting and developing. pneumonia
- Health care acquired pneumonia. This is a bacterial infection. It occurs in individuals who live in long-term care centres and those who go to get care from out-patient departments(OPDs).
Signs & Symptoms
- Cough
- Chest pains during coughing or breathing
- Hypothermia- temperature that is below normal range
- Dyspnoea/ shortness of breath
- Fever
- Sweating
- Chills
- Mental confusion in adults aged 65 years or older
Tests for Diagnosis
For proper diagnosis, the healthcare practitioner takes a detailed patient history for evaluation.
In addition to this, tests for pneumonia are conducted which include;
- Bronchoscopy
- Imaging- Chest X-ray and Computer Tomography scans
- Blood tests such as arterial blood das analysis
- Sputum tests
- Pulse oximetry to check for concentration of oxygen in blood
- Pleural fluid culture
Complications of Pneumonia
These are;
- Pleural effusion
- Bacteremia(presence of bacteria in bloodstream) or sepsis
- Breathing difficulties
- Lung abscess- holes filled with pus
Treatment & Management
- Bacterial pneumonia is treated by anti-biotics.
- In most of the situations, viral pneumonia is self-limiting. Antiviral drugs can be prescribed to reduce time period of sickness or frequency of infection. These include- Oseltamivir, Zanamivir, Peramivir.
- IV fluids. Intravenous fluids restore fluids in the body.
- Oxygen therapy to ensure patient receives adequate oxygen.
- Antifungal medicines treat pneumonia caused by fungi.
- Pain relievers such as acetaminophen deal with body pain.
- Cough suppressants
Prevention
- Avoid smoking. As mentioned earlier, smoking is a risk factor for pneumonia. Smoking damages lungs natural (innate) ability to fight off respiratory diseases. Also, avoid passive or second hand smoke.
- Ensure the immune system is healthy and strong. Perform exercises regularly and take in a healthy diet for good nutrition of the body.
- Vaccination- get vaccinated with pneumococcal vaccines
- Avoid alcohol intake
- Seek immediate medical treatment for conditions that lower or weaken the immune system. Such conditions increase likelihood of getting pneumonia by weakening the immune system.