Pneumonia is an infection of small air sacs of lungs (alveoli) and the tissue around them. In the United States, approximately 2 to 3 million people develop pneumonia each year and 45,000 of them die. Pneumonia is the sixth most common cause of death in general and the most common fatal infection acquired in hospitals. In developing countries, pneumonia is the leading cause of death or or second only to dehydration from acute diarrhea. Conditions in which developing pneumonia is one of the most important functions for physicians. Pneumonia may develop in people living in the community (community acquired pneumonia) in hospital (hospital pneumonia), and in some other institutional settings such as nursing homes (nursing homeacquired pneumonia). Installation often helps determine what infection the organism responsible for pneumonia. For example, pneumonia, most likely derived from the bacterium infection. Hospital of pneumonia, probably caused by
or gram-negative bacteria, such as. Depending on the pathogen, usually the difference in severity of pneumonia and how it is treated (for example, whether oral drugs at home or intravenous drug use in hospitals). Another important feature is that pneumonia occurs in healthy people or those with compromised immune systems. Some drugs (eg oral or intravenous corticosteroids) can weaken the immune system, as well as the presence of diseases such as AIDS and various cancers. Sometimes the immune system may be down acute or chronic disease, as often happens with elderly people. A person who has a weakened immune system is much more likely to be reduced pneumonia, including pneumonia, caused by unusual organisms. In addition, a person whose immune system is impaired can not respond as well to treatment as a person whose immune system is healthy. Other conditions that attract people to pneumonia include alcoholism, smoking, diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Very young and very old are at higher than average risk. Pneumonia is not one disease but rather many different, each caused by different microscopic organismwhether this bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Usually pneumonia starts after organisms are inhaled into the lungs, but sometimes the infection is transferred to the lungs or blood organisms migrate to the lungs directly from a nearby infection. Pneumonia may follow surgery, particularly abdominal surgery or injury (injuries), including chest injury, through received shallow breathing, being able to cough and mucus deposited. Also at risk are people who are frail, confined to bed, paralyzed, or unconscious, as the cough reflex may be impaired breathing or may be small. Sometimes pneumonia occurs when particles from the oral cavity by inhalation and treated, or when an obstacle (eg, tumors, blocking one of the tubes in the lungs) caused by bacteria accumulate obstacle. The first type is called aspiration pneumonia, and the second type is called obstructive pneumonia. The most common symptom of pneumonia is a cough that produces sputum. Other common symptoms include chest pain, chills, fever, and shortness of breath. The symptoms can vary, however, depending on how large the disease and that the organism causing it. Symptoms vary more in infants and the elderly. Fever may not occur. Chest pain may not occur, or people can not tell that they have chest pain. Sometimes the only symptom is rapid breathing or sudden abandonment of eating. Summer people can suddenly become confused. Severe pneumonia can prevent the ingress of oxygen into the bloodstream, causing people to feel shortness of breath. Low oxygen levels can be life threatening strattera prescription. Some pneumonia can lead to lung abscess (qv), or pus may collect around the lungs, a condition called empyema (see
). The doctor or nurse checks for pneumonia, listening to the chest by stethoscope. Pneumonia usually produces a characteristic sound. These strange sounds are caused by narrowing of the airways or filling is usually filled with air of lung inflammatory cells and fluid, a process called consolidation. In most cases, the diagnosis of pneumonia confirmed by chest x-ray. People who are sick so that would require hospitalization, doctors often culture specimens of sputum, blood and urine in an attempt to identify the causative agent of pneumonia. They often receive samples of sputum, giving couples treatment that causes a person to cough deeply (production cause phlegm) or insert a bronchoscope into the airways (see
). Samples of sputum obtained, causing coughing, especially derived from the bronchoscope are less likely to contain saliva and more than expectorant sputum samples to allow doctors to identify the causative agent of pneumonia. This is especially important to identify the pathogen, it is difficult when people are sick, have a normal immune system, or do not respond to treatment. However, despite these tests, precise organism can not be identified definitively in most people who have pneumonia. The most effective way to prevent pneumonia is to quit. Vaccines are available that offer partial protection against pneumococcal pneumonia (caused by bacteria. Ability of vaccines to prevent pneumonia caused by influenza virus depends on how well the strains used in the vaccine match the epidemic strain, which occurs in a particular year. Protection was very good in 9 of the last 10 years. Vaccination can also help prevent pneumonia caused by chickenpox. Deep breathing exercises and therapy for the treatment allocation to prevent pneumonia in people with high risk, such as those with chest or abdominal cavity and those who are weak. People with pneumonia also need to clear the secrets and benefits of deep breathing exercises and therapy. People with pneumonia, lack of breath or have low levels of oxygen in the blood are given supplemental oxygen. While other important part of treatment, often moving and getting out of bed and chair recommended. Usually antibiotics are started when bacterial pneumonia is suspected before the body found. prompt use of antibiotics is likely to reduce inflammation of the lungs and the possibility of complications, some of which can lead to death. When choosing antibiotics, doctors believe that the body can be the cause. Doctors can give a different antibiotic later, after the body was identified and its sensitivity to different antibiotics known. Often people who have pneumonia, but not too patient can take antibiotics and stay home. elderly, children and those who do not have enough breath very sick, or existing heart disease and lung are usually hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics to start. Those antibiotics are usually passed on orally a few days. These people may also need the additional oxygen intravenous fluids and, if they are sick, mechanical respiratory support (see
). Antibiotics are not useful for viral pneumonia. However, antibiotics data for viral pneumonia, which may be accompanied by bacterial infections such as caused by respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants, and sometimes those caused by influenza virus, at least some people are very susceptible to pneumonia. Last full review / revision April 2008, John Bartlett, MD.
