Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by bacteria or fungi that causes inflammation of the alveoli found inside the lungs. The alveoli fill up with puss, causing difficulty in breathing, and it’s generally detected through an x-ray scan of the chest cavity. Some variants of pneumonia are known to infect patients in hospitals, especially those in the intensive care unit; an example is a ventilator-associated pneumonia.

More than 1 million people in the USA have been diagnosed with pneumonia, and approximately 20% of those infected die from it, with the highest mortality rate coming from the senior population. With such a huge number of infections in the US alone, it is crucial to stay informed about the causes, symptoms, and immediate care for pneumonia.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can be caused by fungal, bacterial, or viral infections spread through the air. Since pneumonia is contagious, an infected person can spread it to a healthy person through a cough or sneeze containing the infected person's respiratory fluids. A bacterial infection, Streptococcus pneumoniae, causes the deadliest and most common type of pneumonia.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

These symptoms may vary depending on age, the strength of immunity, and the cause of infection. Children under the age of 10 may show mild symptoms, while adults over the age of 60 have more severe symptoms.

Visit an urgent care clinic in Katy, TX, if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Chest pains during inhalation and coughing
  • Frequent coughing with the production of mucus
  • Uncontrollable fever and sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of air when inactive
  • Loss of appetite
  • Blue fingernails and lips
  • Headache

Pneumonia Treatment

You should avoid close contact with loved ones in poorly ventilated spaces until full recovery to minimize the risk of spreading the disease. If you share utensils, make sure you wash them with hot water to kill the bacteria or fungi.


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