Pneumonia Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Pneumonia ?

It is an infection wherein the air sacs present in a particular or both the lungs become inflame. In addition to this, the air sacs tend to fill with pus or fluid, sourcing the following symptoms:

Cough with pus or phlegm.
Breathing difficulties.
Chills.
Fever.

Different types of organisms are known to root pneumonia, such as fungi viruses and bacteria. The condition can vary in terms of intensity that is from mild to serious. The infection can turn out to be serious in:

Young children.
Infants.
Older adults.
An individual with a weak immune system.
A person with medical problems.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia ?

As mentioned earlier, the indications of pneumonia vary in terms of intensity, relying on certain factors. These factors include:

Type of germ triggering pneumonia.
Overall health of the patient.
Age of the patient.

Normally, mild signs of pneumonia mimic the ones of flu or cold, though, these continue for a longer period of time. Common symptoms may include the following:

Sweating, fever and chills.
Fatigue.
Cough that makes phlegm.
Nausea or vomiting.
Feeling of pain in chest, while you cough or breathe.
Diarrhea.

Infants and newborns may not develop the prominent symptoms of pneumonia or may develop fever, vomiting, cough etc. Those who develop signs may appear tired and restless, whilst face difficulty to eat and breathe.

Body temperature of older adults can be lower than normal. Same is the case with individuals those with poor health conditions and weakened immune system. At times, older individuals with the infection can have changes in their mental awareness.

What Causes Pneumonia ?

Several germs can trigger pneumonia. However the common ones tend to be the viruses and bacteria that prevail in the air you breathe. The immune system of a body is responsible for preventing it against the foreign substances. Though, at times, these overpower the immune system, despite the general health of the body is good.

How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed ?

At first, the health care provider will conduct a physical exam and will need the medical history of the patient. Through a stethoscope, the doctor will listen to the lungs. He or she will possibly hear the sounds of crackling or abnormal bubbling, which point towards the existence of secretions. In case the doctor doubts pneumonia, he or she will suggest the following tests:

Sputum test.
Chest X-ray.
Blood tests.
Pulse oximetry.

Further tests are needed in case the patient is an older adult, have developed serious signs, hospitalized or suffering from some other medical conditions. These additional tests may include the following:

CT scan.
Pleural fluid culture.

How Is Pneumonia Treated ?

Its treatment involves averting complications and curing the infection. Generally, the signs ease in some days to weeks; however, the patient may feel fatigued for many days ahead. Treatment of pneumonia relies upon several factors such as intensity of condition, overall health and age of the patient. Treatment options are as follow: