Is a form of acute respiratory infection that is most commonly caused by viruses or bacteria . Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs .The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli,which fill with air when a healthy person breathes.When an individual has pneumonia,the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid ,which makes breathing painful and limit oxygen intake .
CAUSES
Pneumonia is caused by several infection agents including virus, bacteria and fungi .The most common causes are the following;
1.Bacterial pneumonia: Caused by streptococcus pneumoniae which is the most cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.
2 .Viral pneumonia: caused by Haemophilus influenza type b(Hib)is the second most cause of pneumonia
3.Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common viral cause of pneumonia.
4.In infants infected with HIV , pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, responsible for at least one quarter of all pneumonia deaths in HIV infected infants .
RISK FACTORS
*Adults age 65 and older .
*Children younger that 2 years .
*People with certain medical conditions.
*People that smoke .
SYMPTOMS OF BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA
*Bluish color to lips and finger nails
*Confused mental state or delirium, especially on older people.
*Cough that produces green,yellow or bloody mucus .
*Fever .
*Heavy sweating.
*Loss of appetite.
*Low energy and extreme tiredness.
*Rapid breathing.
*Rapid pulse .
*Shaking or chills.
*Sharp or stabbing chest pain that’s worse with deep breathing or coughing.
*Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity .
SYMPTOMS OF ViRAL PNEUMONIA
*Headache
*Increasing shortness of breath
*Muscle pain
*Weakness
*Worsening of the cough
Mycoplasma pneumoniae has somewhat different symptoms which include a severe cough that may produce mucus .Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough;
1.History and physical exam Test used to look at the lungs , blood tests and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used e
2 . Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia.It may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumoniae and some special cases .Most viral pneumonia don’t have a specific treatment and just get better on their own.Other treatment may include a healthy diet ,more fluids ,rest , oxygen therapy and medicine for pain,cough and fever control.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
1.Imaging -chest x-ray or CT scan .Take picture of your lungs to look for signs of infection.
2 .Blood tests.To look for signs of an infection and try to determine what causing it .
3.Pulse Oximetry.Check oxygen level in your blood.
4 .Pleural fluid culture.To determine what causing the infection.
5.Bronchoscopy .To look at the inside of your lungs.
6.Blood gas test . Blood sample from your wrist ,arm or groin to measure oxygen level.
