Ive Been Treated for Pneumonia Again

Overview

In a person with pneumonia, the airways (bronchi) swell and the air spaces (alveoli) fill with mucus and other fluids.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. When there is an infection in the lungs, several things happen, including:

• Your airways swell (become inflamed)
• The air sacs in the lungs fill with fungus and other fluids

How practise the lungs work?

Your lungs' main chore is to get oxygen into your claret and remove carbon dioxide. This happens during breathing. Yous breathe 12 to 20 times per infinitesimal when you are not sick. When you breathe in, air travels down the back of your throat and passes through your voice box and into your windpipe (trachea). Your trachea splits into two air passages (bronchial tubes). Ane bronchial tube leads to the left lung, the other to the right lung. For the lungs to perform their all-time, the airways need to be open up as you breathe in and out. Swelling (inflammation) and fungus tin can make it harder to move air through the airways, making it harder to breathe. This leads to shortness of jiff, difficulty breathing and feeling more tired than normal.

How common is pneumonia?

Approximately i million adults in the Usa are hospitalized each year for pneumonia and 50,000 die from the disease. Information technology is the second about common reason for existence admitted to the hospital -- childbirth is number ane. Pneumonia is the most mutual reason children are admitted to the hospital in the The states. Seniors who are hospitalized for pneumonia face a higher risk of expiry compared to any of the top x other reasons for hospitalization.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Certain types of pneumonia are contagious (spread from person to person). Pneumonia caused past leaner or viruses tin exist contagious when the disease-carrying organisms are breathed into your lungs. However, non everyone who is exposed to the germs that crusade pneumonia will develop information technology.

Pneumonia caused past fungi are not contagious. The fungi are in soil, which becomes airborne and inhaled, just it is not spread from person to person.

How is pneumonia spread from person to person?

Pneumonia is spread when droplets of fluid containing the pneumonia leaner or virus are launched in the air when someone coughs or sneezes and then inhaled by others. You can besides go pneumonia from touching an object previously touched by the person with pneumonia (transferring the germs) or touching a tissue used past the infected person and so touching your rima oris or nose.

How long do I remain contagious if I have pneumonia?

If you accept bacterial pneumonia, you are yet considered contagious until about the second solar day after starting to have antibiotics and you no longer have a fever (if you had one). If you have viral pneumonia, you are withal considered contagious until you experience better and accept been free of fever for several days.

Who is about at chance for getting pneumonia?

People who have an increased risk of pneumonia include:

• People over the age of 65 and infants under age ii. The weakening allowed system of older people makes them less able to fight off illnesses. Similarly, the immune organization of infants is withal developing and non at full-strength, making them more than susceptible to infection.
• People with a health-caused weakened immune organisation. Examples include:
  • People who are receiving chemotherapy
  • Transplanted organ recipients
  • People who have HIV/AIDS
  • People with autoimmune illness (such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel illness, rheumatoid arthritis) and who are taking medications that suppress the immune system.
• People who accept health conditions that affect the lungs or centre. Examples include:
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Emphysema
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Interstitial pneumonia
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Sarcoidosis
• People who have neurological conditions that brand swallowing hard. These people are at adventure for pneumonia caused by aspiration. Examples include:
  • Dementia
  • Parkinson'southward affliction
  • Stroke
• People who are in the infirmary. In particular, people in the ICU or anyone recovering who spends a large amounts of time lying on their backs. This position allows fluids, fungus or germs to settle in the lungs. People who demand ventilators to exhale are at fifty-fifty greater run a risk since they take a difficult time coughing up germs that could cause a lung infection.
• People who fume or potable alcohol. Smoking damages lung tissue and long-term alcohol abuse weakens the allowed system.
• People who are exposed to toxic fumes, chemicals or secondhand smoke. These contaminants weaken lung part and make information technology easier to develop a lung infection.
• Pregnant women. Being pregnant increases the adventure of developing pneumonia. This is due to the immune system of a female parent not working at full strength because the body is working harder to support the growth of the baby.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be caused by a broad variety of bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia is most normally classified by the type of germ that causes it and by the location where the person became infected.

Community-caused pneumonia is the near common type of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs exterior of a infirmary or other healthcare facility. Causes include:

• Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the nearly common bacterial cause of pneumonia.
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other singular leaner: Other types of bacteria with unique features can crusade unlike types of pneumonia. These include Mycoplasma pneumoniae (causes "walking" pneumonia), Chlamydia pneumoniae (causes Chlamydia pneumonia) and Legionella pneumoniae (causes Legionnaires' disease).
• Viruses: Whatsoever virus that causes a respiratory tract infection (infections of the nose, pharynx, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) can crusade pneumonia. The viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza) can cause pneumonia.
• Fungi (molds): Pneumonia caused by fungi is the least common as pneumonia. Fungus in the soil in certain parts of the United States can become airborne and cause pneumonia. One case is valley fever.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops during a stay in the hospital for another illness. This blazon of pneumonia can be more than serious because the person is already ill and antibiotics typically used may be less effective. Bacteria adapt and change over time when exposed to antibiotics, making them less effective (called antimicrobial resistance). People in hospitals spread their drug-resistant bacteria to others, leading to more than severe and difficult-to-care for cases of pneumonia. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators) are at increased hazard for hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Long-term intendance facility-acquired pneumonia occurs in long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes) or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. Similar hospitalized patients, drug-resistant leaner are found in this setting.

Aspiration pneumonia is another blazon of pneumonia. Aspiration is when solid food, liquids, saliva or vomit go down the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs instead of going down the esophagus and into the stomach. If you tin't cough up these substances, these particles remain in lung tissue and can become infected and pneumonia may develop.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial versus viral pneumonia in adults?

Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild (cold- or flu-like symptoms) sometimes chosen "walking pneumonia" to severe. How serious your instance of pneumonia depends on the particular germ causing pneumonia, your overall health, and your age.

Bacterial pneumonia: Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include:

• High fever (up to 105° F)
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Problem breathing: rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Chills
• Cough with mucus (might exist greenish in color or incorporate a small amount of blood)
• Chest pain and/or abdominal pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Confused mental state or changes in awareness (especially in older adults)

Viral pneumonia: Symptoms usually develop over a period of several days. Early on symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, which include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Weakness

Additional symptoms appearing about a day later on include:

• Higher fever
• Cough with fungus
• Shortness of breath

How tin I tell if I have pneumonia versus the cold or the influenza?

Do I have a cold or could it be the flu or even pneumonia? It'south tough to tell the deviation but critical to know when to seek medical care

Watch for these ongoing symptoms that occur in pneumonia:

• Serious congestion or chest hurting.
• Difficulty animate.
• A fever of 102 or higher.
• Cough that produces pus.

Pneumonia symptoms terminal longer than cold and flu. If your symptoms aren't severe, it's okay to endeavor such domicile remedies as getting more rest, drinking more fluids and taking some over-the-counter medicines and see what happens. But if you lot don't come across improvement in your symptoms after three to five days, or if you are experiencing more serious symptoms such every bit dizziness or astringent difficulty breathing, meet your healthcare provider. Don't permit it go. Pneumonia-like symptoms in very young children or in adults older than 65 are a cause for business organisation. Also, pneumonia can cause permanent lung impairment if left untreated for too long. And e'er seek immediate care if you experience chest pain or have breathing difficulties.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children vary from child to kid and as well depend on your child's age, cause of the infection, and severity of their illness.

Usual symptoms include:

• Fever, chills, general discomfort, sweating/flushed peel.
• Coughing.
• Rapid animate (tachypnea).
• Difficulty breathing, which can exist seen as:
  • A widening of nostrils while breathing (nasal flaring)
  • Inwards motion of chest wall when a child breaths in (lower chest in-drawing). With normal breathing, chest moves outward when breathing in.
• Wheezing.
• Hurting in chest, especially when coughing or breathing deeply.
• Bluish tint to lips or nails due to decreased oxygen level in the blood.
• Loss of appetite.
• Airsickness.
• Increased tiredness (fatigue).

Babies and toddlers may show these symptoms:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty feeding.
• Trouble breathing. Makes a grunting audio with breathing; noisy or rattly animate.
• Temporarily stop breathing during sleep.
• Decreased amount of urine product.
• Pale color
• Appear limp.
• Weep more than usual. Are restless or more fussy.

Adolescents have the same symptoms as adults, including:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of jiff.
• Breast pain.

Newborns are at greater run a risk of pneumonia caused by bacteria present in the birth culvert. In young children, viruses are the main cause of pneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by bacteria tends to happen suddenly, starting with fever and fast breathing. Symptoms appear more slowly and tend to be less severe when pneumonia is acquired by viruses.

Are symptoms of pneumonia different in seniors?

Older adults may have milder symptoms and may not take a fever. A sudden modify in mental country is sometimes a sign of pneumonia in this age grouping.

Is it possible to have pneumonia without having a fever?

It's non the norm only, yes, it'south possible to accept pneumonia with a depression fever or even no fever. If this occurs, information technology'south ordinarily in the very young (newborns and infants) and in older adults or adults with a weakened immune arrangement.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Anyone can experience complications from pneumonia. Notwithstanding, people in high-gamble groups are more likely to develop complications, including:

• Animate difficulties: Pneumonia can make breathing hard. Pneumonia plus an existing lung disorder (such as COPD, emphysema, asthma) can make breathing fifty-fifty more difficult. Breathing difficulties may require a hospital stay to receive oxygen therapy or animate and healing aid with the employ of a breathing automobile (ventilator).
• Fluid buildup in the lungs (called pleural effusion or "water on the lungs"): Pneumonia can cause a buildup in the fluid betwixt the membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest crenel. It is a serious condition that makes breathing difficult. Pleural effusion can exist treated by draining excess fluid with a catheter, chest tube or past surgery.
• Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia): The leaner that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.
• Lung abscess. A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung that is caused by a bacterial infection. Information technology tin be treated by draining the pus with a long needle or removing it by surgery.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Your doctor will practice a thorough exam. During your exam he or she volition:

• Ask almost your health history and acquit a physical test.
• Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope.
• Perchance lodge a chest 10-ray to await for signs of pneumonia and the extent of the infection.
• Acquit a pulse oximetry test to mensurate the amount of oxygen in your blood (indicates how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your bloodstream).
• Lodge laboratory tests of your blood and/or fungus to determine the type of infection – leaner, virus, or fungus – that has acquired pneumonia.

If you are a high-hazard patient, your doctor may guild other tests.

Direction and Handling

How is pneumonia treated?

How pneumonia is treated depends on the germs that cause it.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Bacterial pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic selection depends on such factors as your general health, other health weather you lot may have, the type of medications you are currently taking (if any), your recent (if whatever) utilize of antibiotics, any testify of antibiotic resistance in the local customs and your historic period. Medicines to relieve pain and lower fever may also be helpful. Ask your doctor if you should take a cough suppressant. Information technology's important to be able to cough to clear your lungs.
• Viral pneumonia: Antibiotics are not used to fight viruses. (In some cases antibiotics may be given to fight a bacterial infection that is also present.) There are no treatments for almost viral causes of pneumonia. Nonetheless, if the flu virus is thought to be the cause, antiviral drugs might be prescribed, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), or peramivir (Rapivab®), to decrease the length and severity of the disease. Over-the-counter medicines to relieve hurting and lower fever are usually recommended. Other medicines and therapies such equally animate treatments and exercises to loosen mucus may be prescribed by your doctor.
• Fungal pneumonia: Antifungal medication is prescribed if a fungus is the cause of your pneumonia.

Is pneumonia treated any differently in children?

Essentially no. Only similar adults, bacterial causes of pneumonia in children may be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are not used to treat pneumonia caused past viruses. Flu-related pneumonia may be treated with antiviral medicine if caught early on in the course of disease. About cases of pneumonia are treated with "comfort care" measures that ease symptoms. These may include:

• Drinking more fluids.
• Getting more residual.
• Taking over-the-counter medicines for cough and acetaminophen for fever. Be sure to bank check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if y'all have any questions or concerns almost giving medicines to your child.
• Using a cool mist humidifier in your child's room.

How soon after handling for pneumonia will I begin to feel improve?

How soon yous will experience amend depends on several factors, including:

• Your age
• The cause of your pneumonia
• The severity of your pneumonia
• If you have other "at-risk" conditions

If you are generally salubrious, nearly symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually begin to ameliorate within 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment. Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually begin to improve within a few days subsequently starting handling. A cough can concluding for several weeks. Most people study being tired for about a month after contracting pneumonia.

When would I demand to be hospitalized for pneumonia?

If your example of pneumonia is more severe, you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment. Hospital treatments may include:

• Oxygen
• Fluids, antibiotics and other medicines given through an IV (straight into the vein)
• Breathing treatments and exercises to help loosen mucus

People most likely to exist hospitalized are those who are virtually frail and/or at increased hazard, including:

• Babies and young children
• People over age 65
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with health weather condition that impact the centre and lungs

It may take half-dozen to eight weeks to return to a normal level of functioning and well-beingness if you've been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Prevention

Are vaccines available to prevent pneumonia?

Yes, there are two types of vaccines (shots) specifically approved to preclude pneumonia acquired by pneumococcal bacteria. Similar to a flu shot, these vaccines won't protect confronting all types of pneumonia, but if yous do come down with pneumonia, it's less likely to be as astringent or potentially life-threatening – specially for people who are at increased hazard for pneumonia.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Two pneumonia vaccines, Pneumovax23® and Prevnar13®, protect against the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia.
  • Pneumovax23® protects against 23 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. Information technology is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and children over 2 years of age who are at increased risk for pneumonia.
  • Prevnar13® protects against 13 types of pneumonia bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and children under two years of age. Inquire your healthcare provider virtually these vaccines.
• Viral pneumonia: Get a influenza vaccine (shot) once every twelvemonth. Flu vaccines are prepared to protect against that year'due south virus strain. Having the influenza tin make it easier to get bacterial pneumonia.

If you have children, enquire their doctor about other vaccines they should become. Several childhood vaccines help prevent infections caused by the bacteria and viruses that can lead to pneumonia.

Besides vaccination, what else tin I do to prevent bacterial and viral pneumonia?

Receiving all recommended vaccinations is i of the all-time ways to prevent pneumonia. Additionally, there are several other ways to preclude pneumonia, including:

• Quitting smoking, and avoiding secondhand fume. Smoking damages your lungs.
• Washing your hands before eating, earlier handling food, after using the restroom, and after being outside. If lather is not bachelor, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Fugitive being around people who are sick. Inquire them to visit when they are feeling better.
• Not touching or sharing objects that are shared with others. Germs tin can be transferred from object to y'all if you affect your olfactory organ or oral fissure without washing or sanitizing your easily start.
• Eating a salubrious nutrition, practise, and get enough residual. Healthy habits go along your immune system stiff.
• Getting treated for any other infections or health weather y'all may have. These conditions could weaken your allowed organisation, which could increase your chance of infections.
• Avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for pneumonia?

People who are otherwise healthy often recover quickly when given prompt and proper care. All the same, pneumonia is a serious status and tin can be life-threatening if left untreated and especially for those individuals at increased hazard for pneumonia.

Even patients who accept been successfully treated and have fully recovered may face long-term health problems. Children who accept recovered from pneumonia have an increased risk of chronic lung diseases. Adults may feel:

• Decreased ability to exercise
• Worsening of cardiovascular illness
• Mental decline
• General reject in quality of life for months or years

Living With

What can I exercise to feel amend if I take pneumonia?

• Stop all medications and therapies prescribed by your doc. Do not finish taking antibiotics when you start feeling amend. Go along taking them until no pills remain. If yous don't accept all your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come up back.
• If over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever have been recommended (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen), take as directed on the label. Never requite aspirin to children.
• Beverage plenty of fluids to help loosen phlegm.
• Quit smoking if y'all smoke. Don't be around others who smoke or vape. Surround yourself with as much clean, chemical-gratis air every bit possible.
• Apply a humidifier, take a steamy shower or bath to make it easier for you to breathe.
• Go lots of rest. Don't rush your recovery. It can take weeks to go your full strength back.

If at whatever time you start to feel worse, call your doctor right away.

When tin can I return to work, school and regular activities if I have pneumonia?

You typically can resume your normal activities if your symptoms are gone, mild or improving and you do non accept new or worsening:

• Shortness of jiff or tiredness (less energy)
• Breast hurting
• Mucus, fever or cough

If you lot are generally healthy, nearly people experience well enough to return to previous activities in near a calendar week. Notwithstanding, it may take nearly a calendar month to feel totally back to normal.

When should I see a doctor?

Call your medico if y'all:

• Have new or worsening:
  • Shortness of jiff with activities or when lying downwardly
  • Fever or cough with mucus
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
• Accept a modify in appetite (less hunger)
• Feel uneasy and know that something is not right

If you or your loved one with symptoms is in a high, "at-risk" group, see your doctor equally soon equally possible. Pneumonia can go a life-threatening condition.

When should I get to the emergency room?

Get to the emergency room or call 911 if y'all:

• Struggle to breathe or are brusque of breath while sitting nonetheless
• Have new or worsening chest pain
• Are dislocated or cannot recall clearly

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-pneumonia

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