What Causes Pneumonia?

Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia.

Out of approximately 2 million people that develop pneumonia each year in America, between 40,000 to 70,000 lives are lost because of Pneumonia.

Currently, Pneumonia is the most common lethal nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection in America.

Pneumonia affects the lungs in two distinct ways:

• Lobar Pneumonia

  Lobar pneumonia affects a lobe of the lungs, and

• Bronchial Pneumonia

  Bronchial Pneumonia may have adverse effects throughout both lungs.

Types of Pneumonia:

The major types of pneumonia are bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, and mycoplasma pneumonia. Other Pneumonia types include fungal pneumonia caused by fungus, as well as the ones caused by certain diseases, such as tuberculosis, etc. Common Pneumonia types are as follows:

• Pneumococcal Pneumonia
• Staphylococcal Pneumonia
• Streptococcal Pneumonia
• Pneumonia Caused By Gram-Negative Bacilli
• Pneumonia Caused By Haemophilus influenzae
• Pneumonia Of Legionnaires' Disease
• Mycoplasmal Pneumonia
• Chlamydial Pneumonia
• Psittacosis
• Viral Pneumonia
• Pneumonia Caused By Pneumocystis carinii
• Fungal Pneumonia
• Postoperative And Posttraumatic Pneumonias
• Aspiration Pneumonia

How is Pneumonia Spread?

The usual mechanisms of Pneumonia spread are:

• Inhaling droplets small enough to reach the alveoli
• Hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination,
• Direct spread from contiguous infections.

Who is at greater risk of Pneumonia?

Those having the following risk factors are predisposed to developing Pneumonia:

• Upper respiratory viral infections,
• Alcoholism,
• Institutionalization,
• Cigarette smoking,
• Heart disease,
• Chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD),
• Infants and Seniors,
• Diabetes,
• Chronic renal failure, and
• Dysphagia.

Pneumonia Symptoms:

Typical Pneumonia symptoms include:

• Cough,
• Fever,
• Considerable Sputum production, and
• Tachypnea.

Diagnosis of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is usually daignosed based on the presense of the characteristic symptoms, combined with a chest radiograph. The following tests may be ordered to help diagnose Pneumonia:

• Expectorated sputum culture,
• Blood tests in patients with bacteremic pneumonia,
• Pleural fluid tests in patients with empyema,
• Special stains,
• Serologic assays, and
• Lung biopsy.

Treatment of Pneumonia:

Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and help speed-up the recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia. However, currently there is no effective treatment available for most types of viral pneumonia.

Depending upon patient history, the agents involved, the test results, and other factors, treatment for Pneumonia may include:

• Respiratory support,
• Oxygen Therapy, and
• Antibiotics.

Preventing Pneumonia:

Pneumococcal vaccination is quite effective in preventing pneumococcal infections. Therefore, people 65 of age and older, as well as those in high-risk groups, are strongly advised to receive the pneumonia vaccine. Considering that pneumonia often occurs as a complication of the Influenza/flu, influenza vaccination is also highly recommended for those in high risk groups.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Pneumonia Strains, Vaccine, Diagnosis, and Pneumonia Treatment related News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Pneumonia Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.