Types of Pneumonia

The Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterium that

causes bacterial pneumonia. It usually occurs when the body is weakened in some way, such as illness, malnutrition, old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but those at greater risk include persons who abuse alcohol, persons who are debilitated, postoperative patients, pain, high temperature, heavy perspiring, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, bluish color to lips and nail beds, confused mental state or delirium, cough that produces rust-colored or greenish mucus.Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia, which may be followed by increasing breathlessness and a worsening of the cough. Viral pneumonias may make a person susceptible to bacterial pneumonia.

The pneumonia include shaking, chills, chattering teeth, severe chest

 caused by mycoplasmas,They generally cause a mild,

widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups. Mycoplasma pneumonia often affects younger people and may be associated with symptoms outside of the lungs (such as anemia and rashes), and neurological syndromes (such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis).Chlamydophila pneumonia accounts for 515% of all pneumonias. In contrast, atypical pneumonia due to Legionella accounts for 2-6% of pneumonias and has a higher mortality rate. Elderly individuals, smokers, and people with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems are at higher risk for this type of pneumonia. Contact with contaminated aerosol systems (like infected air conditioning systems) has also been associated with pneumonia due to Legionella.

 is an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes caused by

inhaling foreign material, usually food, drink, vomit, or secretions from the mouth into the lungs. This may progress to form a collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess). Aspiration of foreign material (often the stomach contents) into the lung can be a result of disorders that affect normal swallowing, disorders of the esophagus (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux), or decreased or absent gag reflex (in unconscious, or semiconscious individuals). Old age, dental problems, use of sedative drugs, anesthesia, coma, and excessive alcohol consumption are also causal or contributing factors. The response of the lungs depends upon the characteristics and amount of the aspirated substance. The more acidic the material, the greater the degree of lung injury, although this may not necessary lead to pneumonia.

 refers to pneumonia caused by certain bacteria -

namely, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. While atypical pneumonias are commonly associated with milder forms of pneumonia, pneumonia due to Legionella, in particular, can be quite severe and lead to high mortality rates. Atypical pneumonia due to Mycoplasma and Chlamydophila usually cause milder forms of pneumonia and are characterized by a more drawn out course of symptoms unlike other forms of pneumonia which can come on more quickly with more severe early symptoms.

 is a member of a group of herpes-type viruses that can cause an

infection of the lungs in immune-suppressed persons. This infection is particularly common in solid organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients. Infection with CMV is very common. The majority of healthy adults have antibodies (an indication of previous infection) to CMV in their blood. Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity, such as those with AIDS, organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients, and people receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments. CMV disease is a common complication of organ transplantation. CMV pneumonia occurs in 20% of bone marrow transplant recipients. CMV pneumonia is often present simultaneously with pneumocystis pneumonia. Decreased oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) in association with CMV pneumonia often predicts a fatal outcome.

 is an infection of the lungs contracted during

a hospital stay. Pneumonia is a very common illness. It is caused by many different organisms and can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Hospitalacquired pneumonia tends to be more serious because defense mechanisms against infection are often impaired during a hospital stay, and the kinds of infecting organisms are more dangerous than those generally encountered in the community. Risk factors predisposing people to hospital-acquired pneumonia are alcoholism, older age, immunosuppression from medications or diseases, recent illness, and risk of aspiration.

 is a serious illness. It is the fourth most common cause

of death in the UK, and sixth in the USA. 85% of cases of CAP are caused by the typical bacterial pathogens, namely, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The remaining 15% are caused by atypical pathogens, namely Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella species. Unusual aerobic gram-negative bacilli (for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter) rarely cause CAP.

 is an acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium

Legionella pneumophila, which can cause a broad spectrum of disease from mild cough and fever to a serious pneumonia. The bacteria that cause Legionnaire's disease have been found in water delivery systems and can survive in the warm, moist, air conditioning systems of large buildings including hospitals. The infection is transmitted through the respiratory system. Person-to-person spread has not been proved. From the onset of symptoms, the condition typically worsens during the first 4 to 6 days, with improvement starting in another 4 to 5 days. Most infection occurs in middle-aged or older people, although it has been reported in children. Typically, the disease is less severe in children.

 is an infection of the lungs caused by the fungus

Pneumocystis carinii. in individuals with weakened immune systems due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, solid organ and/or bone marrow transplantation, as well as individuals receiving chronic corticosteroids or other medications that affect the immune system, Pneumonia in an immunocompromised host describes a lung infection that occurs in a person whose infection-fighting mechanisms are significantly impaired. Because of this, they are susceptible to infections by microorganisms that are present everywhere.

 is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lungs

caused by infection with a virus. Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that affects 1 out of 100 people annually. Viral pneumonia is caused by one of several viruses, including influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, hantavirus, and cytomegalovirus. Most cases of viral pneumonia are mild and get better without treatment, but some cases are more serious and require hospitalization. People at risk for more serious viral pneumonia typically have impaired immune systems such as people with HIV, transplant patients, young children (especially those with heart defects), the elderly, and people taking medications to suppress their immune systems in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Symptoms vary depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia, but common ones include: fever chills cough nasal congestion unusually rapid breathing (in some cases, this is the only symptom) breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds labored breathing that makes the rib muscles retract (when muscles under the ribcage or between ribs draw inward with each breath) and causes nasal flaring vomiting chest pain abdominal pain decreased activity loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants), which may lead to dehydration in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

 Pneumonia is a general term that refers to an

infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Most cases of pneumonia are caused by viruses, including adenoviruses, rhinovirus, influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus (which causes croup). Often, pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat), with symptoms of pneumonia beginning after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat.

 Someone with pneumonia in the lower part of the lungs near the

abdomen might have fever and abdominal pain or vomiting but no breathing problems. Kids with pneumonia caused by bacteria usually becomes sick fairly quickly and will have a sudden onset of a high fever and unusually rapid breathing. Kids with pneumonia caused by viruses probably will have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe, though wheezing can be more common in viral pneumonia. Some types of pneumonia cause symptoms that give important clues about which germ is causing the illness. For example, in older kids and adolescents, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma (also called walking pneumonia) is notorious for causing a sore throat, headache, and rash in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia. In infants, pneumonia due to chlamydia may cause conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with only mild illness and no fever. When pneumonia is due to whooping cough (pertussis), a child may have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make the classic "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath.

 The incubation period (the length of time between

exposure and feeling sick) for pneumonia varies, depending on the type of virus or bacteria causing the infection. For instance, for RSV, this is 4 to 6 days; for influenza, 18 to 72 hours.

 With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia

can be cured within 1 to 2 weeks. Viral pneumonia may last longer. Mycoplasma pneumonia may take 4 to 6 weeks to resolve completely.

 The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are

contagious and usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of someone who's infected. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on others, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when someone touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person.

 Some types of pneumonia can be prevented

by vaccines. Kids usually receive routine immunizations against Haemophilus influenzae and pertussis (whooping cough) beginning at 2 months of age. injection.)

 Doctors may give prophylactic (disease-preventing)

antibiotics to prevent pneumonia in kids who have been exposed to someone with certain types of pneumonia, such as pertussis. Those withHIV infection might receive prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii. In addition, regular tuberculosis screening is performed yearly in some high-risk areas because early detection will prevent active tuberculosis infection including pneumonia. In general, pneumonia is not contagious, but the upper respiratory viruses and bacteria that lead to it are, so it is best to keep your child away from anyone who has an upper respiratory tract infection. If someone in your home has a respiratory infection or throat infection, keep his or her drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and wash your hands frequently, especially if you are handling used tissues or dirty handkerchiefs.

 Call your doctor immediately if your child has any of

the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, but especially if he or she: is having trouble breathing or is breathing abnormally fast has a bluish or gray color to the fingernails or lips has a fever of 102F (38.9C), or above 100.4F (38C) in infants under 6 months of age

Doctors usually make a pneumonia diagnosis after a physical examination, but also might order a chest X-ray, blood tests, and (sometimes) bacterial cultures of mucus produced by coughing. In most cases, pneumonia can be treated with oral antibiotics given at home. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of pneumonia. In some cases, other members of the household might be treated with medication to prevent illness. Children may be hospitalized for treatment if they have pneumonia caused by pertussis or other bacterial pneumonia that causes high fevers and respiratory distress, or if:

 supplemental oxygen is needed

they have lung infections that may have spread to the

bloodstream they have chronic illnesses that affect the immune system they are vomiting so much that they cannot take medicine by mouth they have recurrent episodes of pneumonia

 If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, give

the medicine on schedule for as long as directed. This will help your child recover faster and will decrease the chance that infection will spread to other household members. For wheezing, a doctor might recommend using a nebulizer. Ask the doctor before you use a medicine to treat your child's cough because cough suppressants stop the lungs from clearing mucus, which may not be helpful in some types of pneumonia. Over-the-counter cough and cold medications are not recommended for kids under 4 years old. Take your child's temperature at least once each morning and each evening, and call the doctor if it goes above 102F (38.9C) in an older infant or child, or above 100.4F (38C) in an infant under 6 months of age. Check your child's lips and fingernails to make sure that they are rosy and pink, not bluish or gray, which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen.

 Pneumonia is the infection of the either one lung or

both. When both the lungs get infected it is known as double pneumonia. When the pneumonia is mild enough that the visit to the doctor can be avoided and the child can carry out daily activities normally, it is known as walking pneumonia.

 The lungs are an important part of the respiratory system.

The air which is breathed in contains oxygen, which is filtered by the lungs. This oxygen then is carried around the body with the help of blood, which is passed from the breathing tubes by the alveoli. Capillaries or the minute blood vessels are surrounded by small air sacs known as alveoli. There are over six hundred million alveoli in the human body. The air, which is taken in, is supplied to the alveoli; the oxygen extracted from the air is dissolved in the blood. Then it is the job of the red blood cells to distribute the oxygen to all the body parts. Oxygen is vital in the proper functioning of the human body and insufficient supply of oxygen can damage the organs and sometimes can be life threatening. This functioning is disturbed when the lungs get infected by pneumonia.

 Pneumonia does not allow the lungs to function

properly, because the infection produces fluid, which obstructs the alveoli. In turn the oxygen does not penetrate deep inside the lungs and lesser oxygen is supplied to the blood. The breathing is affected and the condition worsens when both the lungs get infected with pneumonia.

 People of all ages from infants to old could get affected

with pneumonia. It is a myth among people that getting wet makes the person catch pneumonia. But it is actually the virus or the bacteria which causes the infection. When a person infected with flu or cold faces a deterioration in his/her condition, he/she can be infected with pneumonia. This happens because the irritation caused by the flu or cold helps the pneumonia germs to get into the lungs easily and move around to spread the infection.

 The virus or bacteria, which cause pneumonia, can

cause damages, whose severity can depend on the health of the child. If the infection is caused by bacteria, the child will get sick very soon and can get high temperature fever accompanied with chills. Pneumonia caused by virus develops very slowly and it takes longer time to go away. The child can also experiences cough, chest pain, headache, and or muscle ache. It can also make it difficult to breathe, so the child will start to breath

 Vaccines are now also given against the pneumococcus

organism (PCV), a common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Children with chronic illnesses, who are at special risk for other types of pneumonia, may receive additional vaccines or protective immune medication. The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for kids with chronic illnesses such as chronic heart or lung disorders or asthma, as well as otherwise healthy kids ages 6 months through 19 years. Because they're at higher risk for serious complications, infants born prematurely may be given treatments that temporarily protect against RSV, which can lead to pneumonia in younger kids.

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