Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and fluid buildup. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Risk factors include age (young or old), smoking, and other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends on the cause but often involves antibiotics, cough medicine, and fever reducers. Preventive measures include vaccination, handwashing, not smoking, and general healthy habits.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and fluid buildup. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Risk factors include age (young or old), smoking, and other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends on the cause but often involves antibiotics, cough medicine, and fever reducers. Preventive measures include vaccination, handwashing, not smoking, and general healthy habits.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and fluid buildup. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Risk factors include age (young or old), smoking, and other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends on the cause but often involves antibiotics, cough medicine, and fever reducers. Preventive measures include vaccination, handwashing, not smoking, and general healthy habits.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and fluid buildup. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Risk factors include age (young or old), smoking, and other medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. Symptoms include cough with phlegm, fever, and difficulty breathing. Treatment depends on the cause but often involves antibiotics, cough medicine, and fever reducers. Preventive measures include vaccination, handwashing, not smoking, and general healthy habits.
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 10
PNEUMONIA
PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia is inflammation and fluid in your lungs caused
by a bacterial, or fungal infection. It makes it difficult to breath, and can cause a fever and cough with phlegm.
Can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening.
CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA
Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria, fungi and viruses in the air we breath. Pneumonia can develop when your immune system attacks an infection in the small sacs of your lung (alveoli). This causes your lungs to swell and leak fluids. You can catch it from someone who has it, or you can sometimes get it if you have another infection such as flu or coronavirus. It may also be caused by something getting into your lungs, such as water or food. Can be classified according to the types of germs that cause it
BACTERIA – can occur on its own or develop after you’ve had a viral cold or flu. Often affects just one part of a lung. Those at greatest risk for bacteria pneumonia include people recovering from surgery, people with respiratory disease or viral infection and people who have weakened immune systems. VIRUSES – viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. The flu (influenza virus) and the common cold (rhino virus) are the most common causes of viral pneumonia in adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause in young children. FUNGI – fungal pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who are exposed to large doses of certain fungi from contaminated soil or bird droppings. Differential diagnosis Bilateral pulmonary edema, shortness of breathe. Past medical history, no infiltrates on chest X-ray, fever is uncommon. CXR showing features of pleural effusion, inflammatory markers on thoracocentesis. Normal chest X-ray, symptoms are worse during night and associated with meals. RISK FACTORS
Pneumonia can affect anyone, but the two age groups at higher risk are; Children who are 2 years old or younger. Their immune systems are still developing. This risk is higher for premature babies. People who are age 65 or older. Their immune systems generally weaken as people age. Older adults are also more likely to have other chronic (long-term) health conditions that raise the risk of pneumonia. ENVIRONMENT OR OCCUPATION most people get pneumonia when they catch an infection from someone else in their community. Your chance of getting pneumonia is higher if you live or spend a lot of time in a crowded place such as homeless shelters, or nursing homes. LIFESTYLE HABITS Smoking cigarettes can make you less able to clear mucus from your airways. Using drugs or alcohol can weaken your immune system. You are also more likely to accidentally breathe in saliva or vomit into your windpipe if you are unconscious from an overdose. You may have an increased risk of pneumonia if you have any of the following medical conditions. Brain disorders, such as a stroke, a head injury, or dementia can affect your ability to cough or swallow. This can lead to food, drink, vomit, or saliva going down your windpipe instead of your esophagus and getting into your lungs. Critical diseases that require hospitalization, including receiving treatment in a hospital intensive care unit, can raise your risk of hospital acquired pneumonia. Your risk is higher if cannot move around ,much or are sedated or unconscious. Using a ventilator raises the risk of a type called ventilator-associated pneumonia. Lung diseases, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or Chronic obstrusctive pulmonary disease (COPD) also increase your pneumonia risk. Other serious conditions, such as malnutrition, diabetes, heart failure, sickle cell disease, or liver or kidney disease are additional risk factors. PREVENTIVE MEASURE
You can reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by following a few simple steps. Get vaccinated. Get a flu shot every year to prevent seasonal influenza. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia, so preventing the flu is a good way toprevent pneumonia. There are several other vaccines that can prevent infections by bacteria and viruses that may lead to pneumonia. Talk to your doctor about whether you and your family are up to date on your vaccines and to determine if any of these vaccines are appropriate for you. Wash your hands. Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or blowing your nose, going to bathroom, diapering, and before eating or preparing foods. Don’t smoke. Tobacco damages your lung’s ability to fight off infection, and people who smoke have been found to be at higher risk of getting pneumonia Be aware of your general health Since pneumonia often follows respiratory infections, be aware of any symptoms that linger more than a few days. A healthy diet, rest, regular exercise help keep you from getting sick from viruses and respiratory illnesses. Take care to keep well managed existing health conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes and heart disease. TREATMENTS Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have, how sick you are feeling, your age, and whether you have other health conditions. The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and prevent complications. It is important to follow your treatment plan carefully until you are fully recovered. Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and you choose the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms don’t improve, your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic. Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. Because coughing helps loosen and move fluids from your lungs, it’s a good idea not to eliminate your cough completely. In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the- counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest. Fever reduces/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort. These includes drugs such as aspirin, ibrupofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
