Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue. It is usually due to
infection. Pneumonia tends to be more serious than bronchitis.
(Bronchitis is an inflammation or infection of the large airways - the
bronchi.) Sometimes bronchitis and pneumonia occur together which is
called broncho-pneumonia.
Are there different types of pneumonia?
Pneumonia
is commonly caused by an infection with a bacterium or virus. Other
germs such as fungi, yeasts, or protozoa sometimes cause pneumonia.
Rarely, non-infective pneumonia is caused by inhaling poisons or chemicals.
How does pneumonia occur?
You may breathe-in
some bacteria, viruses, or other germs. If you are normally healthy, a
small number of germs usually doesn't matter as they are trapped in the
sputum and are killed by the immune system. Sometimes the germs
multiply and cause lung infections. This is more likely to happen if
you are already in poor health. For example: if you are frail or
elderly; if you have a chest disease; if you have a low immunity to
infection due to such things as alcohol dependence, AIDS, or another
serious illness. However, even healthy people sometimes develop
pneumonia.
How serious is pneumonia?
-
If you were previously well.
With treatment, you are likely to make a full recovery. However, some
bacteria, viruses, and other germs are more serious than others. Some
people become very ill and require hospital admission. Occasionally,
some people who were previously well die from pneumonia.
-
If you are already in poor health. You are more likely to
become seriously ill with pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common cause of
death in people who are already in poor health. For example, people in
the late or terminal stages of a cancer.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Typical
symptoms are cough, fever, sweats, shivers, being off food, and feeling
generally unwell. Headaches, and aches and pains are common. You
usually make more sputum which may become yellow/green, and is
sometimes bloodstained.
You may become breathless, breathe fast,
and develop a 'tight chest'. A sharp pain in the side of the chest may
develop if the infection involves the pleura. (This is the membrane
between the lung and the chest wall.) A doctor may hear 'crackles' in
the chest when listening with a stethoscope.
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
Treatment at home
Treatment at home may be fine if you are normally well and the pneumonia is not severe.
- Antibiotics
are prescribed when pneumonia is suspected. Bacterial infection is the
common cause and antibiotics kill bacteria. Antibiotic treatment
usually works well, and you can expect to fully recover. Symptoms
settle over a few days if the treatment is working. You may feel tired
for a week or so after the infection has cleared.
- Have lots to drink to avoid dehydration.
- Take regular paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease fever and pain.
- Let a doctor know if symptoms do not improve over the next two days.
Hospital treatment
Hospital admission may be advised if you have severe pneumonia, or if
symptoms do not quickly improve after you start antibiotic treatment.
Also, if you are already in poor health, you are more likely to be
treated in hospital.
- A chest X-ray may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the extent of the infection.
- Blood tests and sputum tests may be taken to find which bacterium
is causing the pneumonia. This helps to decide which antibiotic is best
to use. Sometimes the bacterium that is causing the pneumonia is
'resistant' to the first antibiotic. A switch to another antibiotic is
sometimes needed.
- Sometimes oxygen and other supportive treatments are needed if you
have severe pneumonia. Treatment in an intensive care unit is sometimes
needed.
Can pneumonia be prevented?
Immunisation
against the pneumococcus (a common cause of bacterial pneumonia) and
the annual 'flu jab' against the influenza virus are advised if you are
at greater risk of developing these infections. Separate leaflets about
these immunisations give further details.
Also, do not smoke. Cigarette smoke damages the lining of the airways and makes the lungs more prone to infection.
What if pneumonia recurs?
If you are
normally well, but then develop recurrent bouts of pneumonia, it may be
the first sign of a problem of your lung or immune system. Some tests
of your immune system may be advised if pneumonia recurs for no
apparent reason.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not
be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS and
PiP have used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make
no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care
professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
© EMIS and PiP 2008 Reviewed: 23 Aug 2008
