Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Inflammation may affect both lungs  double or only one  single pneumonia.

• Viral pneumonia. Viruses are  mostly  common causes of pneumonia, including the flu (influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all  cases.
• Bacterial pneumonia. It is caused by a bacteria named “Streptococcus pneumoniae” It occurs when the body is weakened , such as by illness, poor nutrition. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but  at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, have a respiratory disease or viral infection, or have a weakened immune system.
• FUNGI: It’s mostly common in people with weakened immune systems, chronic health issues and in one who have inhaled large doses of the organisms.

Risk Factors of Pneumonia

It can be easily affected by anyone. The following include…

• People who are age 65 or older
• Children of age 2 or younger .
• Having a weakened immune system.
• Having a chronic condition including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, structural lung disease and heart disease.
• smoking.
• Being hospitalized or being on a ventilator.

                       Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia is as follows…

1. Fever.
2. Chest pain when you breathe or cough.
3. Heavy sweating.
4. Fatigue
5. Confused mental state or delirium, especially in older people(65 and older)
6. Shortness of breath
7. Low energy and extreme tiredness
8. Rapid breathing
9. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
10. Bluish color to lips and fingernail

    DIAGNOSIS

• Blood tests: are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
• Chest X-ray: It’s a  test use to view the internal body (tissues, bones, and organs,), to look for the location and extent of inflammation in the body.
• Pulse oximetry: It is a test use to measure the oxygen level in the blood. Pneumonia can prevent the lungs from moving enough oxygen into the bloodstream. This test is done by the help of a small machine oximeter.  click here

 Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia one have. Most  times, it’s treated at home, but severe cases are treated in the hospital.

Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy.

Can pneumonia be prevented?

 one can easily reduce the risk of getting it by the following few steps

There is also a pneumococcal vaccine. It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonitis . Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot.

• Others include washing of hands, not to smoke and also be aware of your general health.