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Pneumonia
Medical Questions » Pneumonia
| Name: Pneumonia |
| Also known as: Bronchopneumonia |
| A bacterial, or rarely fungal, infection of the lung alveoli (tiny air bubbles that form the major part of the lung and enable the oxygen to cross into the bloodstream), which fill with pus. Usually only one part of the lungs, often at the bottom of the chest, is affected, but it may spread to other parts of the lung. Once one type of bacteria are present, a second type may also infect the lungs as well to cause double pneumonia. Almost invariably the bronchi (main air tubes) are also infected, so the disease should correctly be called bronchopneumonia. |
Causes of Pneumonia
Bacteria are inhaled into the lungs, and overcome the body' s defense mechanisms, particularly if the patient is tired, run-down, overworked, elderly, bedridden or suffering from other illnesses. |
Symptoms of Pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia may be obvious with fever, productive cough and chest pains, but some infections are more insidious and cause minimal symptoms for some months while the patient feels tired, short of breath and has intermittent sweats. |
Tests for Pneumonia
Chest X-rays are diagnostic, and are repeated at regular intervals to ensure that the infection is resolving. A sample of sputum is taken before treatment is started, and is sent to a laboratory to identify the infecting bacteria. |
Treatment for Pneumonia
One or more antibiotics are given by tablet, injection or drip into a vein. Expectorants to open up the airways and loosen the phlegm are also prescribed, along with cough mixtures and pain-killers. Regular physiotherapy is very important to drain phlegm and pus out of the chest. Rest and the cessation of smoking are vital. Occasionally oxygen is required for seriously ill patients, and in rare cases, surgery to drain out collections of pus or remove areas of chronically infected lung is required. Some forms of pneumonia can be prevented by a vaccine (Pneumovax).
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Complications of Pneumonia of its treatment
Inadequately treated pneumonia can cause chronic ill health, an abscess may form in the lung and lead to permanent lung damage. Once the lung is damaged, the chances of developing a subsequent attack of pneumonia is increased, and smoking will accelerate this process. Pneumonia puts a great strain on the heart, and it may fail in older or debilitated patients. |
Likely Outcome of Pneumonia
With correct treatment the majority of patients recover in a couple of weeks, but some may take months, and there is a small mortality rate amongst the elderly and debilitated, even in the best hospitals. Up to half of all patients affected died before the advent of modern antibiotics in the 1940s. |
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