Prior to the invention of antibiotics pneumonia killed one third of its victims, and even today, around 5% of pneumonia patients will die from their illness.
Pneumonia results from an infection which causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid, causing breathing difficulties. The infection may result from breathing in small airborne droplets containing the infecting organisms. Or, it may result from bacteria or viruses that ordinarily live in the mouth, throat or nose, inadvertently entering the lungs. Usually the immune system can counter these bacteria, viruses or fungi, but if a person is in an already weakened state, pneumonia may develop. In babies and the elderly, the typical symptoms of pneumonia may be absent. Instead there may just be a generalised “illness” and unexplained fever and lethargy.
Types of pneumonia
Pneumonia can be divided into several different types:
Risk factors for pneumonia
Diagnosing pneumonia
This is done on the symptoms and signs ie worsening cough and fever and sputum production. These may happen rapidly or be slow in developing. There may be general symptoms of weakness and pain and unwellness. Confirmation is made with a chest xray, blood tests and sputum culture.
Prevention and treatment
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