Pneumonia – Pneumonia – Bronchopneumonia

Description pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It affects the lower respiratory tract – bronchi and air sacs (teethridge) lung.

Causes of Pneumonia

There are three main reasons pneumonia:

• Bacterial pneumonia, caused by bacteria, often streptococci;
• Virus pneumonia, caused by a virus;
• Atypical bacterial pneumonia, often no visible signs, but can cause more serious and potentially fatal pneumonia.

Other causes of pneumonia include:

• Fungal infections, infections such as, which are often found in people, AIDS patients;

Pneumonia is sometimes classified in the place, where infection occurred:

• Community-acquired pneumonia – occurs when in society (eg, at school, at work, in the gym);
• Nosocomial pneumonia – It occurs during hospitalization;
• Aspiration pneumonia occurs, When foreign substances (often stomach contents) into the lungs.

Risk factors

Factors, which increase the risk of pneumonia:

• Age: 65 and older;
• Flu or other respiratory illness;
• Chronic diseases, such as heart disease or lung;
• Stroke (aspiration pneumonia due to problems with swallowing);
• Weakened immune system due to AIDS or chemotherapy;
• Chronic bronchitis;
• Malnutrition;
• Pregnancy;
• Infancy and Childhood;
• Substance abuse;
• Smoking;
• Chronic exposure to certain chemicals (eg, work in construction or agriculture).

Symptoms of pneumonia

Diagnosis of pneumonia

The doctor asks about the symptoms and medical history. Produced physical examination. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and listening to the chest. Additional tests may include:

• Chest X-ray – test, which uses X-rays, to take pictures of structures inside the body, in this case the chest;
• CT scan – type of X-ray examination, wherein the computer is used, to make pictures of structures inside the chest;
• Blood tests;
• Bronchoscopy – Direct examination of the upper respiratory tract;
• Testing sputum and mucus from the lungs;
• Pulse oximetry – It measures the amount of oxygen in the blood;
• Arterial blood gas analysis – measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide and blood acidity.

Treatment of pneumonia

Treatment of pneumonia depends on the:

• Type of pneumonia;
• The severity of symptoms;
• Other factors.

Common treatment approaches include:

• For bacterial pneumonia – antibiotics;
• For viral pneumonia – It may be prescribed antiviral drugs for small children and people with weakened immune systems;
  • Note: Antibiotics are ineffective for treating viral pneumonia;
• SARS – antibiotics.

It is important to take prescribed medication. Stopping treatment early can lead to relapse ilisozdat strain with resistance to drugs.

Treatment also includes:

• Recreation and drinking large amounts of fluids;
• Healthy eating (consuming large amounts of fruit and vegetables) – if the diet is not enough vitamin C., you need to ask your doctor about taking additional drugs (to 1000 mg). This can be helpful for some people, Patients with pneumonia;
• You can take medication, without a prescription written out to reduce the temperature, pain and cough;
• Hospitalization (in severe cases).

Prevention of pneumonia

Some vaccines may prevent pneumonia:

• The flu shot for people at high risk of its occurrence, especially in the elderly (Pneumonia may be a complication of the flu);
• Pneumococcal vaccine – Common recommendations include:
  • Introduction of pneumococcal vaccine for children;
  • PCI for adults aged 65 and older and for young people, who are at high risk of infection.

Other preventative measures include:

• We need to quit smoking. Smoke weakens the resistance to lung infections;
• We need to avoid close contact with people, who are sick with cold or flu;
• It is necessary to wash hands frequently. It is very important, If you had contact with infected people;
• You need to eat healthy foods. If the diet is not enough vitamin C or zinc, you need to take supplements to make up for these substances;
• It should be a lot of rest;
• Regular exercise is to be performed.