Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus purulent material , causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating. See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of F 39 C or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing up pus.
For some older adults and people with heart failure or chronic lung problems, pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening condition. Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe.
Your body usually prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good. Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection. Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia.
It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by:. Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. However, in walking pneumonia, the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae most commonly causes the condition. Bronchopneumonia can affect areas throughout both of your lungs. These are the tubes that lead from your windpipe to your lungs.
Lobar pneumonia affects one or more lobes of your lungs. Each lung is made of lobes, which are defined sections of the lung. Pneumonia happens when germs get into your lungs and cause an infection. This inflammation can eventually cause the air sacs to fill up with pus and liquids, causing pneumonia symptoms. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other causes include:. Respiratory viruses are often the cause of pneumonia.
Examples of viral infections that can cause pneumonia include:. Although the symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonia are very similar, viral pneumonia is usually milder. It can improve in 1 to 3 weeks without treatment.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , people with viral pneumonia are at risk of developing bacterial pneumonia. Fungi from soil or bird droppings can cause pneumonia.
They most often cause pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems. Examples of fungi that can cause pneumonia include:. Your doctor will start by taking your medical history. This will include listening to your lungs with a stethoscope for any abnormal sounds, such as crackling.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and your risk of complications, your doctor may also order one or more of these tests:. An X-ray helps your doctor look for signs of inflammation in your chest.
If inflammation is present, the X-ray can also inform your doctor about its location and extent. This test uses a blood sample to confirm an infection. Culturing can also help identify what may be causing your condition. A pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A sensor placed on one of your fingers can indicate whether your lungs are moving enough oxygen through your bloodstream.
CT scans provide a clearer and more detailed picture of your lungs. This test can help identify the cause of your infection.
A bronchoscopy looks into the airways in your lungs. Your treatment will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health.
Your doctor may prescribe a medication to help treat your pneumonia. Oral antibiotics can treat most cases of bacterial pneumonia. Always take your entire course of antibiotics, even if you begin to feel better. Not doing so can prevent the infection from clearing, and it may be harder to treat in the future.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral. For example, if your blood oxygen level is low, you may receive oxygen therapy.
It may take time to recover from pneumonia. Some people feel better within a week. For other people, it can take a month or more. Vaccines can help prevent pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria or the flu virus. Having good hygiene , not smoking, and having a healthy lifestyle may also help prevent pneumonia. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Pneumonia Also called: Bronchopneumonia.
Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Reference Desk Find an Expert. What is pneumonia? What causes pneumonia? Several different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia, including Streptococcus pneumoniae Legionella pneumophila; this pneumonia is often called Legionnaires' disease Mycoplasma pneumoniae Chlamydia pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Viruses that infect the respiratory tract may cause pneumonia.
Some of the types include Pneumocystis pneumonia PCP Coccidioidomycosis, which causes valley fever Histoplasmosis Cryptococcus Who is at risk for pneumonia? Anyone can get pneumonia, but certain factors can increase your risk: Age; the risk is higher for children who are age 2 and under and adults age 65 and older Exposure to certain chemicals, pollutants, or toxic fumes Lifestyle habits, such as smoking , heavy alcohol use , and malnourishment Being in a hospital, especially if you are in the ICU.
Having a lung disease Having a weakened immune system Have trouble coughing or swallowing , from a stroke or other condition Recently being sick with a cold or the flu What are the symptoms of pneumonia? Bacterial pneumonia often affects just one part, or lobe, of a lung. When this happens, the condition is called lobar pneumonia. Those at greatest risk for bacterial pneumonia include people recovering from surgery, people with respiratory disease or viral infection and people who have weakened immune systems.
These bacteria are referred to as "atypical" because pneumonia caused by these organisms might have slightly different symptoms, appear different on a chest X-ray, or respond to different antibiotics than the typical bacteria that cause pneumonia. Even though these infections are called "atypical," they are not uncommon. Viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract may also cause pneumonia. The influenza virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults.
Respiratory syncytial virus RSV is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in young children. Most viral pneumonias are not serious and last a shorter time than bacterial pneumonia. Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus may be severe and sometimes fatal. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies; however, there are almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. This pneumonia is most serious in people who have pre-existing heart or lung disease and pregnant women.
Read about the connection between the flu and pneumonia.
0コメント