Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of one or both the lungs which is generally caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa. Other people can catch pneumonia when they come in contact with bacteria, virus etc from an infected person. The microorganism can enter the body through mouth, nose and eyes. If your immune system is not strong, then the resistance power lowers down. Because of this the infection spreads into the air sac (Alveoli).The air sacs become filled with fluid and pus from the infectious agent, creating it more hard for the body to get the oxygen it needs, and the person may become sick.
Causes and Risk factors of Pneumonia:
Bacterial pneumonia: The most causal bacteria causing pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumonia, Hemophilus influenza, Legionella pneumophilia, Staphylococcus aureus. These are already present in the throat, when the body’s defense mechanism become weak the bacteria start multiplying and spread infection into the lungs. The inflammation of air sacs associated with the pus formation starts taking place in the lungs.
Viral pneumonia: Viruses invade cells in order to reproduce. Normally, a virus reaches the lungs when airborne droplets are inhaled through the mouth and nose. This invades the cells present at the lining of alveoli and damages the cells. Viral pneumonia is caused by viruses such as influenza virus, adenovirus, coxsackievirus , respiratory syncytical virus and metapneumovirus.
Fungal pneumonia: It is very common. Fungal pneumonia can caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Pneumocystis jiroveci, and Coccidioides immitis.
Mycoplasmal pneumonia: It is similar to the bacterial pneumonia. Here the mycoplasma multiply and spread causing pneumonia.
The major risk factors for causing pneumonia are people with AIDS and HIV, age more than 65, low immunity, respiratory infection, children under the age of two, smoking, drinking alcohol etc.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia:
In bacterial pneumonia the person may experience chills, severe chest pain, chattering teeth, very high fever, sweating, rapid breathing, rapid pulse rate, shaking and cough with greenish mucus. The person with viral infection may experience headache, fever, dry cough, muscle pain, weaknes and increasing breathlessness. Generally in any type of pneumonia the person experience diarrhea, feeling ill, fatigue, mental confusion, clammy skin, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
Treatment for pneumonia:
The pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization. Treatment depends upon the severity of symptoms and the type of organism causing the infection. Bacterial infection is treated by antibiotics like penicillin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, ofloxacin etc. Viral infection cannot be treated by antibiotics over a period of time it gets cured. Mycoplasma pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin , tetracycline or azithromycin.