Pneumonia is a kind of lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It can be life-threatening if not treated properly. It causes the air sacs of either one or both lungs to become inflamed. The air sacs can be clogged with pus (purulent material) or fluid, resulting in pus or phlegm, difficulty in breathing, chills, and fever. The severity of pneumonia disease can range from mild to even life-threatening. It is especially dangerous for children, people over the age of 65, and those with weak immune systems or health problems.
The symptoms and signs of Pneumonia range from mild to severe. These symptoms entirely depend on the type of germ that's causing the infection, as well as your overall health and age. Mild symptoms and signs are generally similar to a common infection, including a cold or the flu. However, in the case of pneumonia, these symptoms and signs tend to last way longer. Infants and newborns are known not to show any symptoms or signs of infection. However, they may have difficulty eating or breathing, appear tired and restless, have cough and fever, as well as vomit.
When To Visit A Doctor?
You need to consult your doctor if you notice the pneumonia symptoms, which include having trouble breathing, having a persistent cough (especially if you're coughing up pus), a persistent high fever (of 102°F or 39°C), or chest pain. Individuals within these high-risk segments need to visit a doctor as soon as possible:
Individuals over the age of 65.
Children under the age of 2 with symptoms and signs.
Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressive medications.
People who have a pre-existing medical condition or a weak immune system.
Pneumonia can easily become a life-threatening condition for certain individuals with chronic lung problems or heart failure.
Risk Factors
Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the age groups that are most at risk include:
Children under the age of two years.
Adults over the age of 65.
Some other risk factors include:
Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing pneumonia. It tends to damage the natural defences of the body against viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Asthma: People with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia than people without asthma.
Immunosuppression: People who have weakened immune systems are more prone to developing pneumonia. These include people with HIV/AIDS, those who are undergoing or went through chemotherapy, those who have had an organ transplant, as well as those who receive long-term steroids.
Diabetes: Diabetic people are more likely to develop pneumonia than people without diabetes.
Hospitalisation: If you're on a ventilator (a machine that assists in breathing) in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) that you are at a high risk of developing pneumonia.
Final Words
Most people tend to recover from pneumonia with proper treatment. However, it can lead to certain complications, especially for those at high-risk. These complications can include bacteria spreading to the blood and other organs, a lung abscess, fluid build-up around the lungs, and severe breathing difficulties. Pneumonia can even be fatal in certain cases. Hence, it is crucial to seek medical attention from the best pulmonology hospital in Raipur if you suspect that you may have pneumonia.
Interventional Bronchoscopy Treatment of Lung Cancer
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Tobacco: The leading cause of preventable death
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death. To elucidate to the general public the potential threats associated with tobacco use and dissuade t...
Lung Diseases in Children - Causes, Types and Treatment Options
Childhood interstitial lung diseases are a group of rare lung diseases that can develop in babies, children and teens. More often than not, these lung...
Asthma: A Brief Overview of the Chronic Lung Condition
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes inflammation in the lungs, thereby narrowing the airways. This makes it difficult for the person t...
The tightening of muscles around your airways causes an asthma attack, which is a sudden intensification of asthma symptoms. Bronchospasm is the medic...
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that helps doctors to determine the condition of the respiratory system of a person. In this procedure, the doctor will us...
Smoking tobacco is a habit that affects millions of people worldwide and can have severe health consequences. While quitting smoking is a challenging ...
Tuberculosis commonly known as TB is a serious lung disease. It is a bacterial infection that spreads from an infectious person to a healthy person th...
Pneumonia is a condition in which one or both lungs get affected. Pneumonia is caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The air sacs inside the lungs ge...