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-
- after blowing nose
- going to the bathroom
- diapering
- before eating or preparing foods.
- Don’t smoke.
- Pneumonococcal vaccine
- Regular exercise
- Adequate sleep