Pneumonia, pronounced “new-moan-yuh” is very contagious and it is airborne. Therefore, it is transmitted by breathing infected air into your lungs. Pneumonia is an inflammation in one or both lungs. It affects 3-4 million people every year in the U.S. It can affect anyone, of any race or age. However, those that are most susceptible to it are the immune-compromised, such as those with COPD, asthma, emphysema, or AIDS. It is caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or chemicals. According to Rice, bacterial infection is the most serious, although it does not state why this is so (p. 355). In adults, bacterial is the most common cause of pneumonia and streptococcus pneumonia in particular. Often, the flu turns into pneumonia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonia onset very quickly and may include: productive coughing, usually with green or reddish sputum, fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue and weakness, chest pain, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can usually be treated at home, and goes away in 2-3 weeks. However, in the elderly, infants, and those that are immune-compromised, hospitalization might be necessary, as pneumonia can be very serious and even fatal (Web MD, p.1 and Rice, p. 335). The elderly may have more mild symptoms, such as no fever or a dry cough. The main sign of pneumonia in older adults is often confusion or delirium, or when an existing respiratory problem seems to be worsening.
Causes
Viruses, bacteria, or (in rare cases) parasites cause pneumonia. Generally, the specific cause cannot be determined even with testing. However, the most common type of pneumonia, as well as the most serious, is bacterial. Pneumonia can occur due to upper respiratory infections, such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chickenpox (this type is viral pneumonia and not usually as serious). Another type of pneumonia is called aspiration pneumonia and is caused from breathing in a large amount of food or vomit into the lungs. This can happen as the result of a seizure or stroke and most often happens in the elderly and incapacitated.
In those with poor immune systems, pneumonia may be caused by fungi. This fungus can turn into pneumonia in those with AIDS. If doctors suspect fungi as the cause of pneumonia, a blood test is usually ordered to determine if the patient is HIV positive.
Diagnosis
Listening to breathing with a stethoscope, by a doctor. Those with pneumonia have abnormal breathing that is evident to a physician. In order to confirm the diagnosis, a chest x-ray or culture of sputum (phlegm) is given (Rice, p. 355).
A urine test is available that may identify within 15 minutes to determine the type and cause of pneumonia. Pneumonia does not always show up on an x-ray, especially if you have just become sick. However, x-rays can reveal the type of organism that caused the pneumonia, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal. It might also show any complications from the pneumonia or underlying causes, such as lung cancer, bronchitis, or heart failure. X-rays also reveal any fluid in the chest or collapsed lungs, due to pneumonia (WebMD, p. 1).
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the cause of the pneumonia. If it is bacterial, antibiotics are given. If it is viral, breathing treatments can be given to help patients receive more oxygen (Rice, p. 355).
The type and amount of antibiotic given is based on a number of things, including age, the number and severity of symptoms, and any other conditions that you have, such as COPD or asthma.
Antibiotics usually work well with younger, otherwise healthy people who have strong immune systems. Symptoms should improve within a few days. If there is no improvement or symptoms worsen, the doctor might do a culture to identify the cause of your symptoms and to see if the bacterium is resistant to the antibiotic.
Viral pneumonia is not treated with antibiotics. There is nothing that can be done for this type of pneumonia other than breathing treatments and plenty of rest (WebMD, p. 1).
Preventative measures
-Hand washing helps prevent the spread of pneumonia-causing bacteria and viruses.
-Avoid contact with people with respiratory tract infections.
-If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
-The mineral zinc may help reduce the risk of pneumonia in children. Zinc is in lean red meats, seafood, beans, and cereals. Zinc can also be taken as a supplement in pill form.
-Vaccines to help prevent pneumonia can be given but they might not help everyone, especially adults. The vaccine can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as bloodstream infections in younger adults and healthy adults over the age of 55.
-The vaccine is recommended for smokers, those over the age of 65, and for people those with a chronic condition that increases their risk of pneumonia.
Works Cited
Rice, J. Medical Terminology: A Word-Building Approach. New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2008.
WebMD. Topics of Pneumonia. 18 March 2009. 4 November 2009 .
