What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs. If it infects both lungs then it is called double pneumonia. When the patient has pneumonia, the alveoli present inside the lungs are filled with pus or fluid, which makes it difficult or painful to breathe.

It is the leading infectious cause of death in children. It affects children and families everywhere. It can be reduced with simple preventions and low-cost medication or care.

It ranges from mild to life-threatening. It affects people 65+ years of age and people with health problems or weak immune systems. It kills 14 people in every 100, 000 population

 

What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

It mostly depends upon the type of infection, age, and health. However common symptoms of pneumonia are as follows:

• The patient might feel Breathing difficulty
• Coughing (containing phlegm)
• Pain In chest
• Feeling Tired
• High or moderate Fever
• Sweating all the time
• Low body temperature
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shaking chills
• Bluish lip or nails color
• Headache

 

What are the causes of Pneumonia?

Infectious germs cause pneumonia. Bacteria and viruses present in the air are most common. Our body restricts these germs from affecting our lungs. However, sometimes these germs overcome the immune system and affect the lungs. And the common causes include;

• Bacteria (like Streptococcus pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia)
• Fungi
• COVID-19 virus

 

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

It is diagnosed in the following ways:

• By blood tests
• A chest X-ray
• Pulse oximetry
• Sputum tests

 

What are the treatments for Pneumonia?

It is treated in the following ways:

• Antibiotics
• Cough medicine
• Fever reducers or pain relievers

 

Aspiration Pneumonia:

If you breathe in something causing pneumonia. It should be removed.

To do this an instrument called a bronchoscope is used to see in airways and lungs to locate the infectious germ and to remove it. This treatment is called Bronchoscopy