A Comprehensive Guide to Pneumonia

Nov 12, 2024
Mastering Pneumonia: From Pathogens to Patient Care in Respiratory Infections.

Types of Pneumonia


Pneumonia can be grouped into types based on what caused it. Many things can lead to pneumonia, but some of the most common are:

Bacterial pneumonia


More people get this type of pneumonia than any other. While several types of bacteria can cause it, the most common in the U.S. is streptococcus. People sometimes get bacterial pneumonia after a viral infection like a cold or the flu.

Viral pneumonia


Viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, cause about a third of all cases of pneumonia. They're the most common cause of the condition in children under 5. This type of infection isn't usually as serious as bacterial pneumonia, but it can be. Viral pneumonia raises your risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia. 

Fungal pneumonia


Fungi found in dirt or bird poop can also cause a pneumonia infection. This type is more likely to affect people with weaker immune systems, such as those who have long-lasting health problems. 

Walking pneumonia


This is a nickname for a less serious type that's officially called mycoplasma pneumonia. It's named for the bacteria that causes it. Young adults and older children most often get this type, which often doesn't require bed rest. 

 Pneumonia Symptoms


Your symptoms can vary, depending on the cause of your pneumonia, your age, and your overall health. They usually develop over several days.

Common signs of pneumonia include:

  • Sharp pain in your chest or belly when you breathe or cough
  • Coughing, which usually produces phlegm or mucus
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever, sweating, and chills
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath
  • A bluish tint to your lips or fingernails (It may be harder to see on darker skin tones.)
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • A fast pulse
  • Sharp or stabbing chest pain when breathing or coughing
Along with these symptoms, older adults and people with weak immune systems might be confused or have problems with thinking. They might also have a lower-than-usual body temperature.

The symptoms of viral pneumonia tend to come on slowly, and they are often mild at first. They may include:

  • Coughing
  • A fever and chills
  • A headache
  • Shortness of breath, especially during exertion
If you have trouble breathing, coughing that doesn't stop, chest pain, or a fever of 102 F or higher, see your doctor. 

Symptoms of pneumonia in babies


Babies with pneumonia may not show any symptoms. But they could seem tired or restless. They might also have a cough, fever, vomiting, or trouble breathing. It also may be hard for them to eat.

 Is pneumonia contagious?


Bacterial and viral types of pneumonia are contagious. The germs that cause them may spread through the air when someone who is infected talks, coughs, or sneezes. You might also get pneumonia after touching a surface that has the germs on it, then touching your mouth or nose.

 Can the flu turn into pneumonia?


Influenza viruses can cause pneumonia, particularly in people who have other health conditions or are at higher risk of it for another reason
 

 Can COVID turn into pneumonia?


The virus that causes COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia. It can also make you more prone to get an infection from other types of viruses or bacteria by weakening your immune system or causing you to need a ventilator.
 

 Hospital-acquired pneumonia


If you get pneumonia while you’re in a hospital, that’s called hospital-acquired pneumonia. It tends to be more serious, since it can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and those who get it have other health issues. You might also hear the term health care-associated pneumonia. This refers more broadly to pneumonia you catch while in any health care facility, such as a long-term care facility or dialysis center. 
 

 Ventilator-associated pneumonia


You have ventilator-associated pneumonia if you get the infection while using a ventilator, a machine that helps you breathe. 

Community-acquired pneumonia


Most cases are what's called community-acquired pneumonia, which means you didn’t get it in a hospital.

Pneumonia Diagnosis


Your doctor will start with questions about your symptoms and your medical history, like whether you smoke and whether you’ve been around sick people at home, school, or work. Then, they’ll listen to your lungs. If you have pneumonia, they might hear cracking, bubbling, or rumbling sounds when you breathe in.

If your doctor thinks you might have pneumonia, they’ll probably give you tests, including:

  • Blood tests to look for signs of a bacterial infection
  • A chest X-ray to find the infection in your lungs and how far it’s spread
  • Pulse oximetry to measure the level of oxygen in your blood
  • A sputum test to check the fluid in your lungs for the cause of an infection
If your symptoms started in the hospital or you have other health problems, your doctor might give you more tests, such as:

  • An arterial blood gas test to measure the oxygen in a small amount of blood taken from one of your arteries
  • A bronchoscopy to check your airways for blockages or other problems
  • A CT scan to get a more detailed image of your lungs
  • A pleural fluid culture, in which the doctor removes a small amount of fluid from the tissues around your lungs to look for bacteria that might cause pneumonia

Pneumonia vs. bronchitis


Like pneumonia, bronchitis can give you a long-lasting cough, fever, fatigue, and chest pain. You can also get pneumonia after having bronchitis. But bronchitis, which results from inflammation in the tubes that carry air to your lungs, tends to be much less serious. See your doctor if you have these symptoms so they can figure out which condition you have and how best to treat it.

Pneumonia Complications


Pneumonia can have several complications, including:

  • Bacteremia, in which bacteria spread into your blood. This can cause septic shock and organ failure.
  • Respiratory failure, which might mean you need to use a breathing machine while your lungs heal
  • Pleural effusion, which is fluid buildup between the layers of tissue that line your lungs and chest cavity. This fluid can also become infected.
  • A lung abscess, when a pocket of pus forms inside or around your lung
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious type of respiratory failure
  • Kidney failure
  • For those with heart disease, worsening heart failure or a higher risk of a heart attack
 

Hospitalization for pneumonia


If your symptoms are serious or if you have other conditions that make you more likely to have complications, your doctor may send you to the hospital. While you’re there, your doctor will probably give you fluids or antibiotics through an IV. You may need oxygen therapy or breathing treatments. And the doctors might need to drain fluid from your lungs.

How long does pneumonia last?


Depending on what type of pneumonia you have and how sick you are, it could take anywhere from a week to a month or more to recover. You'll probably feel fatigued for a month or so. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. You need lots of rest while you're recovering, so don't try to rush it. Ask your doctor when you can return to your usual activities. Limit contact with other people while you're sick so you don't spread the germs that cause pneumonia.

In conclusion, pneumonia is a complex condition with various types, including bacterial, viral, and fungal. Understanding its symptoms and potential complications is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, leading to improved patient outcomes and faster recovery.
After reading this article, you can gain even more valuable information for your studies by attending lectures in general internal medicine



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