World Pneumonia Day | Get to Know It

In our contemporary world, humanity faces various health challenges. Among these challenges are respiratory diseases that are of great concern to many people. Among these diseases, pneumonia stands out as a term that raises interest and questions.

Various factors cause pneumonia, from bacterial and viral infections to exposure to environmental pollutants and smoking.

It is important to realize its significant impact on public health. At the same time, awareness and education about this disease are crucial in reducing its spread and negative impact.

In this article, we will learn about what pneumonia is, take a look at its symptoms and causes, and learn about the latest developments in its diagnosis and treatment, as well as preventive strategies and important tips to maintain healthy lungs from contracting pneumonia.

What is Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The infection can be mild and temporary, or serious and life-threatening.

This inflammation occurs when the alveoli in the lungs fill with fluid and pus, which hinders the ability to breathe and reduces the level of oxygen in the blood.

Bacterial pneumonia is often more severe than viral pneumonia, which often improves on its own.

Pneumonia can affect people of all ages, but it poses a greater risk to older adults, infants, and people with other health conditions or a weakened immune system.

Pneumonia Types

The types of pneumonia depend on where or how you get it:

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia

This type of bacterial infection occurs during hospital stays and may be more serious than other types. The bacteria causing the infection are more resistant to antibiotics.

• Community-acquired pneumonia

Refers to pneumonia that is transmitted outside of a hospital such as at home or work.

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia

It is a machine that helps air flow in and out of the lungs, and this type occurs in people who use a respirator.

• Aspiration pneumonia

When small particles are inhaled from the mouth into the airway, natural defense mechanisms in the respiratory system, such as coughing, eliminate them before they reach the lungs and cause inflammation or infection.

However, in some cases, the body may not be able to get rid of these particles due to weak defense mechanisms or their large size. When the bacteria are inhaled through food, drink, or saliva, this type of pneumonia occurs.

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Pneumonia Stages

The stages can be classified based on the area of the lungs affected by the inflammation:

1. Bronchial Pneumonia

Bronchitis can affect different areas of the lungs and is often confined near the bronchial tubes, which are the tubes that run from the windpipe to the lungs.

It is characterized by the accumulation of fluid or pus in the bronchial tubes and their inflammation.

2. Lobar pneumonia

Bronchopneumonia affects one or more of the lobes of the lungs. Each lung consists of lobes, which are specific sections of the lung.

Lobar pneumonia can be divided into four stages based on how it develops:

• The First Stage: Congestion

This stage appears within 24 hours of inflammation, and fluid accumulates in the alveoli, making the lungs appear heavy and full, and this can be accompanied by shortness of breath and coughing.

• The Second Stage: Red hepatization

Two to three days after pneumonia, red blood cells, and immune cells enter the fluid-filled alveoli, and these cells cause the lungs to become red and hard.

Because it resembles the liver in terms of the change in color and shape of the lungs, this stage is called red hepatization.

• The Third Stage: Gray hepatization

After four to six days of inflammation, red blood cells begin to break down while immune cells remain, and the breakdown of red blood cells causes the color to change from red to grey.

• Resolution

This stage appears after 8-10 days, as immune cells begin to eliminate the infection, and coughing with phlegm helps expel the remaining fluid from the lungs.

Pneumonia Symptoms

The symptoms of pneumonia vary depending on the causative agent. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and infants, young children, and the elderly may show different symptoms.

Bacterial Pneumonia Symptoms

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia develop either gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include:

• The temperature rises to a high level (up to 40.5 ° C).
• A cough accompanied by yellow or green phlegm, which may be mixed with blood.
• Feeling tired and exhausted.
• Rapid breathing rate and increased heart rate.
• Sweating or shivering.
• Chest pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing.
• Anorexia
• Breathing difficulty.
• Bluishness of the skin, lips or nails.

Viral Pneumonia Symptoms

Viral pneumonia usually develops over several days, and symptoms similar to those of bacterial pneumonia may appear, and may also include:

• Dry cough.
• Headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Excessive fatigue or extreme weakness.

Pneumonia Causes

As we explained previously, when germs enter your lungs and infection occurs, the immune system works to combat them.

However this control causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lung, and this inflammation can cause the alveoli to fill with pus and fluid, causing symptoms of pneumonia.

It can be caused by many infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

1. Bacteria: The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus Pneumonia. Other causes include:

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
• Haemophilus Influenzae.
• Legionella Pneumophila.

2. Viruses: Viral pneumonia is often less severe than other types. For example:

• Flu.
• Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Adenovirus.
• Measles.
• Coronavirus infection.

Although the symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonia are almost identical, viral pneumonia is usually milder and can improve in 1 to 3 weeks without treatment.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, people with viral pneumonia are at risk of developing bacterial pneumonia.

3. Fungi: Found in soil or bird droppings, these fungi usually cause pneumonia in people with a weak immune system. Examples of these fungi include:

• Pneumocystis Jirovecii.
• Histoplasmosis Species.

Pneumonia Risk Factors

Anyone can get pneumonia, but there are some people who are at greater risk, including the following:

• Children from birth to two years.

• Individuals aged 65 years and over.

• People with a weakened immune system due to pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or take certain medications such as steroids or certain cancer drugs.

• People who suffer from certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, sickle cell disease, and liver and kidney diseases.

• Anyone who has recently been hospitalized or is currently under medical care, especially if he or she is on a ventilator.

• People who suffer from a brain disorder that affects the ability to swallow or cough, such as stroke, head injury, and dementia.

• Who is regularly exposed to lung irritants such as air pollution and toxic odors, especially in the workplace.

• People who live in a densely populated residential environment such as a prison or nursing home.

• Smokers: Smoking makes it difficult for the body to get rid of phlegm from the respiratory tract.

• People who use drugs or drink large amounts of alcohol, which weakens the immune system.

Pneumonia Diagnosis

The medical professional will ask you about your health history and symptoms, including cough, difficulty breathing, fever, and chest pain.

Then comes the physical examination: The doctor uses his stethoscope to carefully listen to the sound of your lungs as you breathe; To distinguish pneumonia from other lung disorders, one or more of the following tests may be ordered:

• Blood test: The results of blood tests can show changes in white cell counts and levels that can indicate the presence of pneumonia.

• Chest X-ray: X-rays can show changes in the lungs and indicate inflammation.

• Pulse oximetry: Medical devices are used to measure the level of oxygen in the blood, by placing a sensor on a thin part of the patient’s body, such as a fingertip or earlobe. This method is safe, comfortable, and inexpensive compared to other methods.

• Sputum examination: Collecting a sample of sputum for examination in the laboratory to determine the type of germ causing the infection.

• Bronchoscopy: It is a procedure used to examine the airway in the lungs, using a camera located on the end of a flexible tube that is gently guided through the throat and into the lungs. Bronchoscopy allows the doctor to see the internal structure of the bronchial tubes and lungs directly, which helps in diagnosing and evaluating your condition and determining the appropriate treatment.

• Surgical lung biopsy: In some cases, the health practitioner may decide to take a larger sample of tissue from different locations in the lungs that cannot be accessed by bronchoscopy, and this requires a surgical procedure to obtain these samples.

Pneumonia Treatment

Your treatment will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health condition. Medical procedures include:

1. Antibiotics

Most cases of bacterial pneumonia can be treated, but you should always complete your course of antibiotics, even if you feel better. Failure to do so can prevent the infection from clearing up, and it may be more difficult to treat in the future.

2. Antifungal medications

Antifungals treat pneumonia caused by fungal infections, and you need to continue using them for several weeks to clear the infection.

3. Antivirals

Viral pneumonia is often not treated with medications. In most cases, most cases resolve on their own with home care without the need for treatment.

However, the doctor may prescribe antivirals such as: oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), and peramivir (Rapivab); To reduce the duration of illness and the extent of your infection with the virus.

4. Oxygen therapy

If you have severe breathing difficulties, you may need oxygen, which is available through a mask or plastic tubes placed in the nostrils.

Some people need oxygen therapy constantly, while others need it only during exercise or while sleeping.

5. Intravenous (IV) fluids

Delivering fluids directly into a vein to prevent dehydration.

6. Medicines without a prescription

The doctor may also recommend taking some medications; To relieve pain and fever as needed, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. He may also recommend taking cough medicine to calm the cough and reduce its severity.

7. Home Remedies

You can apply some home measures, which can help you relieve the symptoms of pneumonia:

• You can gargle your mouth with a solution of warm water mixed with salt. This can relieve irritation in the throat and help relieve coughing.

• Drinking a cup of warm peppermint tea may help calm a cough and relieve chest congestion.

• You can put cold compresses on your forehead, or other places on the body to relieve fever.

• Drinking plenty of warm water can help relieve shivering and feeling cold.

• Eating a hot meal can give the body warmth and comfort during illness.

• You must ensure complete rest and get sufficient rest and sleep. You must also drink fluids in sufficient quantities to help hydrate the body and relieve congestion.

Pneumonia Complications

Pneumonia can cause potentially serious complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions such as diabetes.

• Exacerbation of chronic diseases: The development of chronic health conditions such as congestive heart failure and emphysema can occur. It may increase the risk of a heart attack in some people.

• Bacterial poisoning: The bacteria causing pneumonia can spread in the blood, leading to dangerously low blood pressure and, in some cases, organ failure.

• Lung abscess: A lung abscess forms that contains pus. It can be treated with antibiotics, and sometimes it may require drainage or surgery to remove the pus.

• Difficulty breathing: You may have difficulty getting enough oxygen while breathing, and you may need to use a ventilator.

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome: It is a medical emergency in which the body’s respiratory system fails.

• Fluid accumulation next to the lung: If pneumonia is not treated, fluid may develop around the lungs in the pleural layer, which needs to be drained.

• Death: In some serious cases, pneumonia may lead to death, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, about 44,000 people died from pneumonia in a year.

Pneumonia Prevention

Pneumonia can be prevented in many cases by:

Vaccination

The first step in preventing pneumonia is vaccination. There are several vaccines that help prevent pneumonia:

1. The pneumococcal vaccine, also known as the pneumonia vaccine, fights the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia.

It consists of two types:

• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) protects against 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

• Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) which protects against 23 different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

The vaccine stimulates the immune system; To produce antibodies that attack these bacteria and strengthen a person’s immunity against infection, the vaccine is considered an essential part of the health system and is recommended by the World Health Organization.

It is important that you receive these vaccinations according to the doses and schedule mentioned by your doctors, and talk to your doctor to get more information about vaccinations and how to effectively protect against pneumonia.

2. Influenza vaccination

Pneumonia can often be a complication of influenza, so be sure to also get your annual vaccination.

The Centers for Control and Prevention (CDC) infectious disease resource recommends that people 6 months and older be vaccinated, especially those who may be at risk for complications from viral infections.

3. Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib vaccine)

This vaccination is used to prevent bacterial infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria.

It is considered effective for protecting against hepatitis B, pneumonia, meningitis, and other health problems.

The Centers for Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people take the following groups:

• All children under 5 years old.
• Older children or adults who have not been vaccinated or have certain health conditions.
• People who have undergone a bone marrow transplant.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), pneumonia vaccines do not prevent all cases of the disease. However, if you receive the vaccine, you are likely to have a less severe and shorter illness, and a lower risk for complications.

Pneumonia Tips

In addition to getting vaccinated, you can reduce your risk of pneumonia by following some healthy habits:

• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondary smoke, as smoking harms the lungs and makes you more susceptible to infection.

• Wash hands with soap and water before eating, and after using the bathroom. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid close contact and sharing things with others, if either of you has a contagious illness such as a cold or COVID-19.

• Follow a healthy diet, pay attention to exercise, and make sure to get enough rest.

• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

If you have to stay in the hospital, don’t hesitate to ask your caregivers about how to reduce your risk of infection during your stay.

In conclusion, my dear, remember that health is the most precious gift that we must preserve carefully, and preventing pneumonia must be our priority, as it can affect our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Take care of yourself and your health by following health guidelines, such as maintaining hand hygiene and following recommended preventive measures.

Let us be champions in the fight against pneumonia, and let us work together to build a healthy and prosperous society in which everyone can enjoy comfort and happiness. Let’s live a life free of infections and full of hope and health.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pneumonia

Sources:

healthline

clevelandclinic

cdc.gov