Pneumonia

Pneumonia refers to a syndrome caused by acute infection involving the lung parenchyma or interstitium usually due to bacteria (virus,parasite,fungi can also be the cause).When non-infectious agents (chemicals,radiation) causes pneumonia,the term pneumonitis is used.

Causes—

Bacteria

• Lobar pneumonia (streptococcus)
• Broncho-pneumonia (hemophilus influenza)
• Legionnaires’ disease (legionella pneumophilia)
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Mycoplasma pneumonia (walking pneumonia)
• Branhamella catarrhalis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Klebsiella pneumonia

Viral

• Adenovirus
• Coxsackievirus
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Cytomegalovirus
• Psittacosis-ornithosis group
• Respiratory syncytial virus(young children)

• Influenza
• Varicella
• Herpes zoster
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Rickettsial

Coxiella burneti (Q fever)

Steven Johnson syndrome

Protozoal

Entamoeba histolytica

Yeast and fungi

• Actinomycosis
• Aspergillosis
• Nocardiosis
• blastomycosis
• Histoplasmosis

Chemical pneumonia
(aspiration of vomit)

Dysphagic pneumonia

• Pharyngeal diverticulum
• Achalasia cardia
• Hiatus hernia

Lipoid pneumonia

• Kerosene
• Paraffin
• petroleum

Toxic gases and smoke

Nosocomial pneumonia
(hospital acquired)

Radiation pneumonia

Smoking

Alcoholism

People with chronic health problems ( lung disease, heart disease, kidney disorders, sickle cell anemia or diabetes) are more prone to develop pneumonia due to weakened immunity.

Symptoms And Signs—

• Confusion(in elderly)
• Cough (greenish, yellow ,bloody mucus)
• Excessive sweating and clammy skin
• Exertional dysponea
• Fatigue
• Fever( mild or high)
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Shaking chills
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse with inspiration/cough

Investigations—

• X-ray- chest
• Sputum gram stain, culture
• Blood test (Full blood count, Culture, LFT, Urea, electrolytes)
• Bronchoscopy
• Arterial blood gases
• CT scan -chest
• Pleural fluid culture

Treatment—-

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms

• Bed rest
• Plenty of fluids
• Breathing exercises
• Balanced diet
• Ayurvedic Medicines

Complications—-

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Empyema
• Hyponatremia
• Lung abscess ( rare)
• Pleural effusion
• Respiratory failure
• Sepsis

Prevention—-

• Wash hands frequently-

1. after blowing nose
2. going to the bathroom
3. diapering
4. before eating or preparing foods.

• Don’t smoke.
• Pneumonococcal vaccine
• Regular exercise
• Adequate sleep