STUDY OF PNEUMONIA DISEASE

PREPAIRED BY
PATEL KAUSHAL [15ENV015]

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERIG
In
CIVIL DEPARTMENT

BIRLA VISHVAKARMA MAHAVIDHYALA, V.V.NAGAR

AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTE

CONTENT

What is pneumonia?
Types and Causes of pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia
Diagnosis of pneumonia
Treatment of pneumonia

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lung. It can be caused by fungi, bacteria,

or viruses. Pneumonia causes inflammation in your lungs air sacs, or alveoli. The
alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.
Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. The severity of
your pneumonia usually depends on:

the cause of your inflammation

the type of organism causing your infection

your age

your general health

Keep reading to learn about what causes pneumonia as well as its symptoms. You
should call your doctor if you have any concerns. Severe pneumonia is a medical
emergency.

Types and Causes of Pneumonia:-

There are five major types of pneumonia. They are:

Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia can affect anyone at any age. It can develop on its own or
after a serious cold or flu. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia
is Streptococcus pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia can also be caused
by Chlamydophila pneumonia or Legionella pneumophila. Pneumocystis
jiroveci pneumonia is sometimes seen in those who have weak immune systems
due to illnesses like AIDS or cancer.
Viral Pneumonia
In most cases, respiratory viruses can cause pneumonia, especially in young
children and the elderly. Pneumonia is usually not serious and lasts a short time.
However, the flu virus can cause viral pneumonia to be severe or fatal. Its
especially harmful to pregnant women or individuals with heart or lung issues.
Invading bacteria can cause complications with viral pneumonia.
Mycoplasma Pneumonia
Mycoplasma organisms are not viruses or bacteria, but they have traits common to
both. They are the smallest agents of disease that affect humans. Mycoplasmas
generally cause mild cases of pneumonia, most often in older children and young
adults.
Other Types of Pneumonia
Many additional types of pneumonia affect immune-compromised individuals.
Tuberculosis and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) generally affect people

with suppressed immune systems, such as those who have AIDS. In fact, PCP can
be one of the first signs of illness in people with AIDS.
Less common types of pneumonia can also be serious. Pneumonia can be caused
by inhaling food, dust, liquid, or gas, as well as by various fungi.

Who Is at Risk for Developing Pneumonia?

No one is immune to pneumonia, but there are certain factors that can raise your
risks:

People who have had a stroke, have problems swallowing, or are bedridden
can easily develop pneumonia.

Infants from birth to age two are at risk for pneumonia, as are individuals
age 65 or older.

People with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of

pneumonia. This includes people who take medications that weaken the immune
system, such as steroids and certain medications for cancer, and people with HIV,
AIDS, or cancer.

Drug abuse increases risk. This includes excessive alcohol consumption and
smoking.

Certain medical conditions raise your risks for pneumonia. These conditions
include asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and heart failure.

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

The general symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop quickly and may
include:
chest pain
shaking chills
fever
dry cough
wheezing
muscle aches
nausea
vomiting
rapid breathing
rapid heartbeat
difficulty breathing
Some symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. You should seek immediate
medical attention if you have any of these symptoms:

skin with bluish tone (from lack of oxygen)

blood in sputum (coughed-up mucus)
labored breathing
high fever (102.5F or higher)
confusion
rapid heartbeat

How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed?

Pneumonia can be easily overlooked as the cause of an illness because it often
resembles a cold or the flu. However, it usually lasts longer and symptoms seem
more severe than these other conditions.
Detailed Patient History
To determine whether or not you have pneumonia, your doctors will usually
inquire about your signs and symptoms. Questions they may ask include:

What are your symptoms and when did they begin?

What were your recent travels and activities?
What was your recent exposure to animals?
What was your recent exposure to individuals who are sick?
What are your past and current medical issues?
What medications are you currently taking?
What is your smoking history?
Have you recently had any vaccinations or illnesses?
Physical Exam
Crackling and bubbling sounds in the chest during inhalation are usually indicators
of pneumonia. Wheezing may also be present. Your doctor may also have trouble
hearing normal breathing sounds in different areas of your chest.
Diagnostic Tests
Chest X-rays can be used to determine if infection is present in your lungs.
However, chest X-rays wont show your type of pneumonia. Blood tests can
provide a better picture of the type of pneumonia. Also, blood tests are necessary to
see if the infection is in your bloodstream.

Other Tests
The following are additional tests that may be required:

A CT scan of the chest is similar to an X-ray, but the pictures provided by

this method are highly detailed. This painless test provides a clear and precise
picture of the chest and lungs.

This sputum test involves examining the sputum (the mucus you cough up)
to determine what type of pneumonia is present.

If there is fluid apparent in the pleural space (the space between the tissue
that covers the outside of your lungs and the inside of your chest cavity), a fluid
sample can be taken to help determine if the pneumonia is bacterial or viral.

A pulse oximetry test measures the level of oxygen blood saturation by

attaching a small sensor to your finger. Pneumonia can prevent normal
oxygenation of the blood.

When antibiotics fail, a bronchoscopy can be used to view the airways inside
the lungs to determine if blocked airways are contributing to the pneumonia.

How Is Pneumonia Treated?

The type of treatment prescribed for pneumonia mostly depends on what type of
pneumonia is present, as well as how severe it is. In many cases, pneumonia can be
treated at home.
Treatment at home:
Treatment at home may be fine, if you are normally well and the pneumonia is not
severe.

An antibiotic such as amoxicillin is prescribed when pneumonia is suspected.

Infection with a germ (bacterial infection) is a common cause and antibiotics kill
bacteria. Amoxicillin is usually effective against the most common causes. If it
doesn't seem to be effective and your doctor suspects a less common bacterium,
they may change it. If you are allergic to penicillin (amoxicillin is a type of
penicillin) your doctor will prescribe an alternative that works just as well.
Antibiotic treatment is usually effective and you can expect to recover fully.
Symptoms should improve after three days if the treatment is working. You may
feel tired for a while after the infection has cleared. If the symptoms persist for
longer than three weeks, you should ask your doctor to check you again.

Have lots to drink, to avoid becoming lacking in fluid in the body

(dehydrated).
Take regular paracetamol to ease high temperature (fever) and headaches.
Let a doctor know if symptoms do not improve over the following three
days.

Hospital treatment:
Hospital admission may be advised if you have severe pneumonia, or if symptoms
do not quickly improve after you have started antibiotic treatment. Also, you are
more likely to be treated in hospital if you are already in poor health, or if an
infection with a more serious infecting germ is suspected. For example, if infection
with Legionella pneumophila (the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease) is
suspected.

A chest X-ray may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the extent of the
infection.

Blood tests and sputum tests may be taken to find which bacterium is
causing the pneumonia. This helps to decide which antibiotic is best to use.
Sometimes the bacterium that is causing the pneumonia is resistant to the first
antibiotic. A switch to another antibiotic is sometimes needed.

Sometimes oxygen and other supportive treatments are needed if you have
severe pneumonia. Those who become severely unwell may need treatment in
an intensive care unit.

When you return home, even though the infection is treated, you may feel
tired and unwell for some time.

Can Pneumonia Be Prevented?

Anyone with diabetes, asthma, and other severe or chronic health problems is at
risk for pneumonia. However, in many cases, it can be prevented with vaccines
against bacterial pneumonia and flu. Quitting smoking will definitely lower your
risk of pneumonia.