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.