Pneumonia: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pneumonia is an infectious disease that affects both lungs of the human body. The primary symptoms of pneumonia disease includes breathing problems, high fever, and cough with yellow, green, or blood in sputum. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi are the causal agent or pathogens that causes the pneumonia disease in humans.

• Pneumonia is a disease that causes inflammation in the alveoli of one or both lungs.
• The disease is most common in infants and person of age 65 years and above.
• When the alveoli become filled with fluid or pus, symptoms such as cough, fever, chills and difficulty breathing may occur.
• A chest x-ray is recommended by the healthcare provider for the early diagnosis of pneumonia disease. 
• High-dose antibiotics are prescribed to the patients to cure the diseases caused by bacteria. 

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What is Pneumonia?

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Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the lung tissue, making it difficult for people to breathe in severe cases. In humans, the disease is caused by variety of  gram negative bacterial organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, ​etc.

• Pneumonia disease caused by bacteria is more severe than that caused by viruses.
• Either a single lung or both lungs are affected by the pneumonia infection. 
• It can be mild and sometimes fatal, affecting the immune system of the body. 
• Smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of this infection.

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Types of Pneumonia

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Types of pneumonia are usually classified according to the medical condition of the patient, the source of infection, or both. Listed below are the main categories: 

Community Acquired Pneumonia

Community acquired pneumonia is one of the most common types that occurs when away from a health care center. It is caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacteria that causes this disease. Viruses responsible for causing flu, COVID-19, and influenza, can cause pneumonia. Infections caused by fungi like cryptococcus are less common.

Hospital Acquired Pneumonia

Hospital acquired pneumonia is the most serious type of pneumonia which occurs in a hospital when a person is being treated for another disease. It is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (methicilin-resistant bacteria). It becomes even more difficult to cure this type of pneumonia.

Ventilator Associated pneumonia

Ventilator associated pneumonia occurs when a patient is breathing on a ventilator. Drug-resistant bacteria and Streptococcus bacteria cause this type of lungs infection.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when vomit, spit, or food enters the lungs. This infection occurs when your normal gag reflex is disturbed like injury in the brain or excessive use of drugs and alcohol.

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Symptoms of Pneumonia

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The pneumonia symptoms varies depending on the age of the patients. In children, mild pneumonia symptoms are observed and can be cured in the early pneumonia stages. The most common symptoms of pneumonia are mentioned below:

• Headaches
• Coughing with greenish, yellow, and sometimes bloody mucus.
• Shortness of breath
• Fever with chills
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Increased heartbeat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Blue skin, lips, and nails
• Chest pain leading to pleuritic pains

To avoid consequences like sepsis or pleural effusion, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential. For a precise diagnosis and customized treatment plan, it is always recommended to speak with a healthcare professional.

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Causes of Pneumonia

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Pneumonia is caused by various pathogens, when the body’s immune system attacks an infection present in the lungs it causes the lungs to swell and fill with fluid. 

• Measles virus, influenza, virus, and adenovirus are causes of viral pneumonia.
• In children, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent cause of bacterial pneumonia.
• The causes of bacterial pneumonia are pneumococcus bacteria, mycoplasma, and legionella.
• Cryptococcus is a fungus present in birds' feces and soil which is a major cause of pneumonia. 

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Diagnosis & Treatment of Pneumonia

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It is important to seek medical help immediately as soon as pneumonia symptoms are detected, to identify the cause and start the correct medication. Doctors may perform various tests to diagnose pneumonia, The following are a few diagnostic methods mentioned:

• A blood test is carried out to look for any signs of pneumonia.
• X-ray is done to identify your affected lungs.
• Bronchoscopy is used to check the lungs for fluids.
• To check the functioning of the lungs arterial blood gas test is used. 
• To check the accumulation of fluids in the lungs sputum test is used.
• To measure the oxygen levels in the blood pulse oximetry is used.

Treatment of Pneumonia 

Different types of pneumonia are treated in different ways:

• Fungal pneumonia is treated with antifungal medications.
• Drinking hot beverages can help relieve cough.
• Viral pneumonia has no particular treatment. It gets relieved all on its own.

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Prevention of Pneumonia

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Getting vaccinated is one of the best methods of prevention. Pneumococcal vaccines, vaccines for children, and vaccination against the virus are the types of vaccines available. Other prevention of Pneumonia include:

• Get yourself immediately tested for any infection as this may weaken the immune system. 
• Avoid smoking, as it damages the lungs.
• Excess alcohol consumption must be avoided.
• Wash hands thoroughly before handling any food and after using the washroom.
• Avoid contact with people having pneumonia infection.

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Things to Remember

• Pneumonia is a lung inflammation that can cause mild to severe infection.
• Mild pneumonia is often known as walking pneumonia.
• If the infection occurs in both the lungs it is called bilateral.
• Ear infections, sinus, and meningitis are caused by pneumococcal disease.
• Toxoplasma is a protozoa that rarely causes the infection.