Pneumonia is one of the most common diseases. It is the inflammation of the alveoli of the lungs which causes mild to immense pain. Humans of all age, be a child or an adult can get this chronic disease. Therefore, you must be aware of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Pneumonia.
Pneumonia starts with bacteria or a viral infection. In the United States, around 1 million people are treated and around 50,000 dies due to this disease every year. Pneumonia is a very common disease that can be as mild as flew to life-threatening.
Causes Of Pneumonia
Bacteria and Viruses are the main causes of pneumonia. The germs settle in the alveoli of the lung and multiply after a person breathes them in. Pneumonia can be contagious, hence you must always avoid sharing stuff with a pneumonia patient. The bacteria or virus is most commonly inhaled, sometimes it can be passed through coughing and sneezing, or spread on to shared objects through touch.
The bacteria fills up the air sacs in the lung with fluid and pus to prevent the white blood cells from attacking them.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
Pneumonia symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the type of pneumonia you have, your age and health.
- The most common symptoms of Pneumonia includes coughing. If you get greenish, Yellow mucus or even bloody mucus while coughing then you probably have pneumonia.
- Fever can vary from mild to high. The fever mostly comes during the night and goes away in the morning.
- Shaking chills. This is the defense mechanism of the body, in which it increases the temperature to temporarily stop the bacterial the viral cells from dividing.
- Shortness of breath when you do something like climbing stairs is common.
- Additionally, sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or a cough is a major symptom of pneumonia.
- Excessive sweating and Slammy skin.
- Loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue are also common symptoms of Pneumonia.
Treatment Of Pneumonia
Treatment of pneumonia depends upon the type you are having. Bacterial types of pneumonia are basically treated by antibiotics. Whereas viral types are usually treated with rest and plenty of fluids, antiviral medicines can be used in influenza. Fungal types of pneumonia are usually treated with antifungal medicines.
Mild Pneumonia can be treated at home with rest, antibiotics and by drinking plenty of fluids. Severe cases may need hospital treatment. Unless a Healthcare professional tells you otherwise, you should always finish taking a prescribed course of antibiotics even if you feel better
Precautions
Isolated precautions are used to help stop the spread of germs from one person to another. The precautions protect other patients, families and hospital workers from the spread of germs. Smoking is known to be one of the major reasons for pneumonia, therefore you must avoid smoking any kind of tobacco item.
Physical separation of the patient with the respiratory infection from others is a major precaution of pneumonia. Stressing hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions should always be done.
Children below 5 years are at a high risk of getting pneumonia. Therefore you must keep your child away from others who were sick. Most importantly, proper vaccination of the child is recommended. Make sure your child gets a flu shot. Don’t let your child share eating utensils, cups etc with others.
Increasing access to immunization, reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution and becoming knowledgeable about warning signs to identify infection, specifically fast breathing, will help to prevent the infection which causes pneumonia. Breastfeeding during the first six months is critical for preventing pneumonia because the milk contains a supply of nutrients, antioxidants, and hormones.
