Pneumonia is swelling [inflammation] of the lung tissue, caused by a bacterial infection.
Causative organism
* Streptococcus pneumoniae
* Hemophilus influenzae
* Staphylococcus aureus
Incubation period
* 1day to 1 week
Types of pneumonia
* Derived by cause, location, Acquired.
Signs and symptoms
* Chest pain while breathe or cough
* Shortness of breathe
* Fatigue
* Confusion
* Fever
* Sweating and shivering chills
* Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
* Coughing up blood (Haemoptysis)
* Wheezing
* Rapid heart beat
*Loss of Appetite
Complications
* Bacteremia – The infection spread to the blood stream which leads the septic shock and low blood pressure.
* Lung Abscesses
* Impaired breathing
* Acute respiratory distress syndrome
* Pleural effusion and death
Diagnosis
* Blood test
* Sputum test
* Urine test
* CT scan
* Fluid sample [ pleural fluid]
* Bronchoscopy
* Chest x- ray
Risk factors
* Being hospitalized
* Chronic disease
* Smoking
* Weakened or suppressed immune system
Management
* Intravenous Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Levofloxacin)
* Respiratory Therapy (Spirometry, Breathing exercise)
* Fatal Oxygen
Preventive Measures
Pneumonia Vaccine
* Prevnar 13
* Prevnar 23
* Cigarette smoking to be quit
* Cover while cough and sneezes
* Dispose of used tissues promptly
* Practice good hygiene
