Pneumonia is a lung infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both your lungs. It happens when this infection causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid or pus. As a result, this leads to cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to so severe that you can land up in the hospital. A variety of organisms, including viruses, bacteria and fungi, can cause pneumonia. If your pneumonia is from a virus or bacteria, you can spread it to someone else. Therefore, this lung infection can affect anyone. But, infants younger than age 2 and people older than age 65 are considered to be at a higher risk. People with chronic conditions like asthma, heart and lung disorders, and compromised immune systems are also at risk. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes can also increase your chances of getting pneumonia.
Symptoms of Pneumonia:
Pneumonia signs and symptoms can vary from mild to life-threatening. It depends on what’s causing your pneumonia. For example, factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, your age and your overall health. Mild signs and symptoms are often similar to those of a flu or cold but last longer. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common form and tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia. Its symptoms require medical care and they develop gradually or suddenly. Whereas the symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Its early symptoms are like that of influenza symptoms and may get worse, with increasing cough, breathlessness and muscle pain.
Common pneumonia symptoms may include:
- Cough that produces phlegm or mucus
- Chest pain when you cough or breathe
- Fever, sweating and chills
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Confusion or changes in mental awareness (seen in adults of age 65 and beyond)
- Lower than normal body temperature (seen in adults of age 65 and beyond and in people with weak immune systems)
Infants and new-born may not show signs of infection. But, they may have a fever and cough, vomit and seem tired or restless. Any illness caused by the coronavirus can also lead to pneumonia.
Causes of Pneumonia:
Pneumonia happens when germs enter your lungs and cause an infection. Many germs cause pneumonia. But the most common are viruses and bacteria in the air that we breathe. Usually, the body prevents such germs from infecting your lungs. But there are times when these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is good.
Common causes include:
- Cold viruses
- Flu viruses
- RSV virus (the topmost cause of pneumonia in babies)
- Bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae
Some people also get “ventilator-associated pneumonia” while using a ventilator in the hospital, a machine that helps with breathing. If you get pneumonia while you’re in a hospital it’s called “hospital-acquired pneumonia.” But the most common is “community-acquired pneumonia,” which means you got it outside a hospital.
