▪ Introduction

▪ Definition
▪ Causes
▪ Risk factors
▪ Sign & symptoms
▪ Complication
▪ Types
▪ Prevention
▪ Treatment
▪ Nursing intervention
 Introduction
Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects
the lungs. The lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli,
which fill with air when a healthy
person breathes. When an
individual has pneumonia, the
alveoli are filled with pus and
fluid, which makes breathing
painful and limits oxygen intake.
Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in
children worldwide. Pneumonia killed 740 180 children under
the age of 5 in 2019, accounting for 14% of all deaths of
children under five years old but 22% of all deaths in children
aged 1 to 5. Pneumonia affects children and families
everywhere, but deaths are highest in South Asia and sub-
Saharan Africa. Children can be protected from pneumonia, it
can be prevented with simple interventions, and treated with
low-cost, low-tech medication and care.

Definition
Pneumonia:
▪ is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection that affects one or
both lungs.
▪ This inflammation results in the alveoli in the lungs filling
with fluid and pus. This makes the person unable to
breathe, and thus reduces the percentage of oxygen in
the bloodstream
 Causes
Causes of Pneumonia
Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause pneumonia. In the
United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are :-
Influenza viruses
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)
Common causes of bacterial pneumonia are
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) and, especially in
kids, Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
The bacteria and viruses that most
commonly cause pneumonia in the
community are different from those in
healthcare settings. However, clinicians are not always able to
find out which germ caused someone to get sick with
pneumonia.

Risk factors
Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two groups at high risk
are:
▪ Children 2 years or older
▪ Individuals 65 years of age or older
Other risk factors include:
▪ Admission to hospital: A person is at increased risk of
pneumonia if they are in the intensive care unit of a
hospital, especially if they are connected to a machine to
help them breathe (ventilator).
▪ Chronic disease: A person is more likely to develop
pneumonia if they have asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease.
▪ Smoking: Smoking destroys the body's natural defenses
against bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
▪ Weakened or suppressed immune system: Patients with
HIV/AIDS, who have had an organ transplant or who are
receiving chemotherapy or long-term steroids, are also
at risk of developing the disease.

Sign & symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia :-
▪ difficulty breathing
▪ Cough
▪ rapid heartbeat
▪ high temperature
▪ feeling generally unwell
▪ sweating and shivering
▪ loss of appetite
▪ chest pain
 ▪ coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
▪ headaches
▪ fatigue
▪ feeling sick or being sick
▪ wheezing
▪ joint and muscle pain

Complication
complications of pneumonia

▪ Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a

severe form of respiratory failure.
▪ Lung abscesses. These are pockets of pus that form inside
or around the lung. ...
▪ Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing
machine or ventilator.
▪ Sepsis.
 Types
The main types of pneumonia are:
Bacterial pneumonia:
This type is caused by various bacteria. The most common is
Streptococcus pneumoniae. It usually occurs when the body is
weakened in some way, such as by illness, poor nutrition, old
age, or impaired immunity, and the
bacteria are able to work their way into
the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia can
affect all ages, but you are at greater
risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke
cigarettes, are debilitated, have recently
had surgery, have a respiratory disease
or viral infection, or have a weakened
immune system.
Viral pneumonia:
This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu
(influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all
pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial
pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia.
Mycoplasma pneumonia.
This type has somewhat different symptoms and physical signs
and is referred to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the
bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It generally causes a mild,
widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups
 Prevention
Prevention of pneumonia
▪ Get a pneumonia vaccine
➢ that reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, your risk of getting
pneumonia.
▪ Wash your hands
➢ that is the best way to avoid transferring these organisms
into your respiratory system.
▪ Avoid exposure to people who are ill
➢ Avoiding contact with people that you know are sick is
an important step in preventing respiratory infections
and possible pneumonia.
➢ If you’re in a crowded area or can’t avoid being near
people who are sick, be sure to:
➢ wash your hands frequently
➢ cover your mouth and nose with a mask to
prevent fluTrusted Source, cold, and COVID-19Trusted
Source
➢ encourage others to cover their cough or sneeze.
▪ Adopt healthy habits
➢ The following actions can help you strengthen your lungs
and your immune system:
➢ getting enough rest
➢ eating a balanced diet
➢ exercising regularly
➢ avoiding smoking
 ➢ reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals or pollution
➢ staying up-to-date on your vaccinations.
▪ Avoiding postoperative pneumonia
If you’ve recently had surgery, talk with your doctor about
what you can do to avoid postoperative pneumonia. They
may suggest:
➢ deep breathing and coughing exercises
➢ keeping your hands clean
➢ keeping your head elevated
➢ oral hygiene, which includes an antiseptic such as
chlorhexidine
➢ sitting as much as possible, and walking as soon as you’re
able

Treatment
Pneumonia in two lungs is treated the same way as it is in one
lung.
The treatment plan will depend
on the cause and severity of the
infection, and your age and
general health. Your treatment
may include over-the-counter
drugs to relieve pain and fever.
These could include:
➢ aspirin
➢ ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin)
 ➢ acetaminophen (Tylenol)
➢ Your doctor may also suggest a cough medicine to help
manage your cough so that you
can rest. According to Mayo Clinic,
coughing helps move fluid from
your lungs, so you don’t want to
eliminate it entirely.
➢ You can help yourself have a smoother recovery. Take
your prescribed medication, rest, drink plenty of fluids,
and don’t push yourself to get back to your regular
activities too soon.

Specific treatments for different types of pneumonia include:

Viral pneumonia

➢ Viral pneumonia can be treated with anti-viral drugs and

medication aimed at easing your symptoms. Antibiotics
are not effective in treating viruses.
➢ Most cases can be treated at home. But people with a
chronic health condition or older adults may need
hospitalization.
Bacterial pneumonia

➢ Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The

particular antibiotic will depend on the type of bacteria
causing the pneumonia.
➢ Most cases can be treated at home, but some will require
a hospital stay. Young children, older adults, and people
with suppressed immune systems may need to be
hospitalized and treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
They may also need assistance with breathing.

Mycoplasma pneumonia

➢ is a type of bacterial pneumonia. It’s generally mild and

often affects both lungs. Since it’s bacterial, it’s treated
with antibiotics.