Pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs, which can be bacterial, viral or fungal. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, body aches and shortness of breath. Diagnosis involves a stethoscope and chest x-ray. Antibiotics are effective for bacterial pneumonia, but viral infections require rest and fluids. Prevention is key to combatting antibiotic-resistant strains.
The pathology of pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs. This infection can be bacterial, viral or fungal and often starts as a complication of the flu. People of all ages can get pneumonia, but people over the age of 65 or with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk.
Often the symptoms of pneumonia are very similar to typical flu symptoms. The symptoms of pneumonia are fever, cough, chills, body aches and shortness of breath. Pneumonia is dangerous when a person experiences shortness of breath, chest pain, or a fever above 101 degrees C (38.3 degrees F). When a case of the flu gets worse over time rather than getting better, it can be a symptom of pneumonia.
The pathology of pneumonia is sometimes classified by how a person got the disease. Some cases of pneumonia are simply the result of exposure to the infection in everyday life, perhaps at school or work. It is also common to see the pathology of pneumonia take hold during a hospital stay, especially if a person has been on a ventilator. Aspiration, where a person vomits and then inhales some of the material, can also cause pneumonia. Like most infections, a weakened immune system can also increase your risk of this disease.
To diagnose pneumonia, a doctor will first use a stethoscope and listen to the patient’s lungs for fluid sounds. A chest x-ray can also reveal a lung infection. Cultures of blood or mucus can be tested for certain types of bacteria or viruses that may be causing the disease.
If the pneumonia condition becomes more severe, it can spread the infection into the bloodstream. Another possible complication is inflammation of the pleura, the membrane that covers the lungs. Acute pulmonary distress syndrome (APDS) is the most serious complication. It causes breathing difficulties, which can deprive the body of much-needed oxygen.
When the pathology of pneumonia is bacterial, antibiotics are the most effective treatment. However, there is no simple treatment for a viral infection and most doctors recommend plenty of rest and fluids to allow the body’s natural defenses to fight off the disease. If the pneumonia is severe or if the patient is at high risk of complications, hospitalization may be required.
The pathology of pneumonia is diverse and often changes. As pneumonia is more commonly treated, the bacteria that cause the infection are evolving to be resistant to common antibiotics. Preventing pneumonia is one way to deal with these highly resistant strains of bacteria.
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