Pneumonia – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pneumonia is acute lung infection, caused by viruses, bacteria or any fungi. It causes inflammation in the air sacs, which are known as “Alveoli”.

When the alveoli are filled with pus or liquid, it becomes difficult for you to breathe and the oxygen will not be able to reach the bloodstream. Pneumonia can affect both the lungs.

According to the recent statistics, viral pneumonia accounts for more than 200 million cases in the world.

It mostly affects the youngest and the oldest, as it is hard for their immune system to fight the bacteria.

Causes of Pneumonia:

As informed earlier pneumonia is caused by various viruses, fungi, and bacteria. The most common of them are classified into:

Bacterial pneumonia: 

Chlamydophila pneumonia, Legionella pneumophila, and Streptococcus pneumonia are the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Viral Pneumonia:

Respiratory viruses are the common cause of pneumonia. Viral pneumonia lasts for a shorter span of timethan bacterial pneumonia.

Fungal Pneumonia:

It affects people with weaker immune system. This is caused because of the bird droppings from the soil.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia:

Mycoplasmas can cause mild cases of pneumonia. They are neither bacteria nor virus but have the traits of both.

Symptoms of Pneumonia:

• Cough
• Fever
• A headache
• Loss of appetite
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest Pain
• Shaking Chills
• Abdominal Pain
• Cyanosis
• Breathing problems

Is Pneumonia Contagious?

Yes, viral and bacterial pneumonia, both of them are contagious. A person suffering with pneumonia might sneeze or a cough, the airborne droplets of these can bespread and a healthy person can be infected with this. However, fungalpneumonia is not contagious at all.

Treatment of Pneumonia:

Thetreatment for pneumonia is based on the severity of the symptoms. Antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal medicines are used to treat pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia can mostly be treated at home by using oral antibiotics and it will be cured in 2 to 3 days.

Taking prescribed drugs at time and drinking plenty of fluids and getting ample restwill help a lot in treating pneumonia.

Prevention Tips for Pneumonia:

• Cover your cough and sneezes as the germs are contagious and other might get infected.
• Wash your hand regularly with sanitizer.
• Strengthen your immune system.
• Do not smoke, as it makes you susceptible to respiratory infections.
• Get vaccinated with pneumonia vaccines or the annual flu shot like Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23.