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General Info about Pneumonia

What are the causes of Pneumonia ?

What are the symptoms of Pneumonia ?

How can we diagnose Pneumonia ?

How can Pneumonia be treated ?

More valuable information about Pneumonia

Frequently asked questions about Pneumonia

Glossary

General Info about Pneumonia

Pneumonia is infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by a microorganism which can be either a bacteria, virus or fungus. Discovery of antibiotics in the last 50 years has dramatically improved the treatment of pneumonia.

Peripneumonia, and pleuritic affections, are to be thus observed: If the fever be acute, and if there be pains on either side, or in both, and if expiration be attended with pain, if cough be present, and the sputa expectorated be of a blond or livid colour, or likewise thin, frothy, and florid…. When pneumonia is at its height…it is bad if he had dyspnoea…and if sweat comes out about the neck and head, for such sweats are bad, as proceeding from the suffocation, rales, and the violence of the disease.

-Hippocrates, [460-375 BC]

Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of hospitalization and death in young children and elderly population.

What are the causes of Pneumonia ?

Pneumonia is caused by breathing in small particles or droplets of the Pneumonia bacteria or virus. Usually this is transmitted by an infected person when they cough or sneeze.

Sometimes during sleep, secretions from the nose, throat or mouth can be aspirated into the lungs and this can lead to Pneumonia.

In people who have a weak immune system or ability to fight infections, Pneumonia can occur and this can become severe.

People at higher risk of developing pneumonia are as follows:

Alcoholics

Drug users

Stroke

During epilepsy or seizures

Associated heart diseases

Stiff lungs

Patient's with swallowing problems.

The Pneumonia organism usually grow in the air sacs of the lung and breakdown the surrounding tissue and fill them with pus and fluid.

What are the symptoms of Pneumonia ?

Pneumonia usually starts with symptoms of cold and as it progresses there is high fever (as high as 104⁰F), there can be shivering and cough which is productive with sputum. This sputum can be often tinged with blood or could be very thick and yellow.

There is persistent cough. Patient may also have headache and muscle aches. In children body can be slightly more blue and the child could be quite ill. Sometimes there could be mild or few symptoms in Pneumonia especially in elders.

How can we diagnose Pneumonia ?

Chest of the patient is examined with a stethoscope and a coarse breathing sound may be heard or sometimes the sound may be faint.

Chest X-Ray: Sometimes used to diagnose Pneumonia.

Sputum examination: The sample is taken and seen under microscope.

Blood count: Can be done to look for an increase in the white cells.

Bronchoscopy: In this procedure a thin flexible tube is inserted into the nose or mouth. Usually a local aneasthetic is administered before viewing the lung passage directly. Specimen of tissue and fluid can be collected for investigation.

How can Pneumonia be treated ?

Depending on the organism treatment for Pneumonia is undertaken. For Pneumonia caused by bacteria Pneumococcus, Streptococcus Pneumonia, Hemophilus Influenza, Penicillin or Erythromicin group of derived antibiotics like ampicillin (augmentin) can be used.

More Valuable information about Pneumonia

Normal intake of nutritious food and drink is advised. Adequate intake of fluid helps to keep lung secretions thinner and easier to cough up.

If the cough is non productive and painful, cough suppressants can be used - or else it is better to have cough as it is a protective mechanism to expel sputum.

There are two types of Pneumonia:

Bronchial Pneumonia: Affects all parts of lung.

Lobar Pneumonia: Affects one part of the lung.

Pneumonia can also occur as a complication of flu and can be prevented by giving infuenza vaccine.

Vaccine: PneumoVax can be used to prevent Pneumonia especially in alcoholics, in patients who have their spleen removed, diabetics and patients' who have asthma and have lot of steroids.

Frequently asked questions about Pneumonia

Which doctor should I consult if I am suffering from Pneumonia ?
You can consult a General Physician.

What are the common predisposing causes of Pneumonia ?
a) Asthma

b) Emphysematous lung

c) Diabetes mellitus

What percentage of Pneumonia is caused by viruses ?
50% are caused by viruses and are less severe than bacteria. Symptoms are milder than bacterial Pneumonia like cold, dry cough, headache, fever and weakness.

What is Pneumonia vaccine ?
a) Given only once to protect an individual suffering from Pneumonia. b) Sometimes given in children increases risk (sickle cell anemia, nephrotic syndrome) or in absence of spleen, and is repeated again after 3-5 years.

Is there a cure for viral Pneumonia ?
There is no effective cure for viral Pneumonia. It usually heals by itself. However bacterial Pneumonia if treated early with antibiotics has a good cure rate.

Can I continue to smoke if I have pneumonia ?
It is advisable to stop smoking since it will further irritate the already swollen and inflamed lung tissue and the tracheo bronchial tree.

Glossary

Sputum examination - For identification of pathogens and culture sensitivity testing to be done. Alternatively in severely ill immuno suppressed patients, secretion or washings from trachea can be used instead of sputum. Blood culture is usually positive in severe pneumonia even if sputum examination is negative.

Pneumococcal antigen may be detected in serum - helpful in diagnosis of mycoplasma, chlamydia, legionella & viral infections.

Nose & Throat swabs - for examination by immuno-fluoresence or electron microscopy.

Total & Differential white count - in viral infections the count is low. In bacterial infections the count is high.

Arterial blood gas analysis - Po2, Pco2, ph of arterial blood are important parameters in respiratory disease of chronic nature.

Radiological examination - for confirmation of diagnosis & early detection of plural effusion & empyema. Follow up is necessary if pneumonia fails to resolve eg:- Carcinoma