Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, fungus, or a virus. The fact that the condition has three different core causes is what can make treating pneumonia so difficult. Most people who get this infection in their lungs will experience something like a harsh cold or flu that doesn’t get better with time. When this happens, a doctor will usually perform an x-ray to confirm that it is pneumonia and then identify if it’s fungal, bacterial, or viral. As the seasons are changing, and cooler weather is approaching, many types of lung conditions can cause flare-ups that mimic the symptoms of pneumonia. Pulmonary Associates of Richmond shares the common symptoms, prevention tips, and treatment options for pneumonia.
Common symptoms
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that causes your alveoli (those little sacs in your lungs) to fill with fluid. This is what contributes to death when someone has a lung infection — they drown in their own fluids.
Most people will experience things like body aches, a harsh cough, and trouble breathing. This is why people who do have a lung infection tend to think that it’s the flu or something similar. It’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor or pulmonary specialist, instead of trying to “ride it out.” This is especially true for young children and the elderly, who are more susceptible to pneumonia.
Pneumonia prevention
Common prevention techniques include having a balanced diet, getting your immunizations, and being careful of the environment that you’re in. Making sure that the area that you’re in is free of pollutants is key to preventing pneumonia. This includes making sure you’re in a well-ventilated area and that everyone you live with practices good daily hygiene.
Other considerations would be to stay away from stagnant bodies of water and keep water out of your lungs in general. This is because inhaling water or soil can develop Legionnaires’ disease, which is a severe form of pneumonia. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria legionella. This is a good example of pneumonia from a bacterial cause.
Treatments for pneumonia
Most cases are treated with an antibiotic, like amoxicillin. Other forms of treatment include hospitalization for severe cases that are not responding to medications and home care. A person usually isn’t hospitalized unless it’s an extreme case. Most people will go on to make a full recovery once they start on antibiotics, but it is still a dangerous infection. It’s best to follow any additional direction given by a doctor while recovering.
Conclusion
Pneumonia is an infection in someone’s lungs caused by bacteria, a fungus, or a virus. It causes a person’s lungs to fill with fluid which can lead to severe complications. Prevention can basically be narrowed down to keeping clean, not inhaling dirty water or soil, and being in an area free of pollutants.
If you do get pneumonia, you’ll most likely be given antibiotics and be put on bed rest. With proper care and treatment, you can be expected to make a full recovery. Request an appointment with Pulmonary Associates of Richmond today!