Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs , organs that are fundamental to the breathing process. This inflammation can occur as a result of different infectious agents, such as bacteria , viruses and fungi , and can also result from allergic processes. Among the main symptoms of pneumonia, we can mention fever, cough and respiratory discomfort, symptoms that resemble diseases such as flu and bronchitis . The similarity with other diseases can delay early diagnosis, which is essential to avoid complications and even death.
The Ministry of Health points out that the disease is responsible for high rates of hospitalizations and mortality , especially in children under 5 years of age. Also according to data from the Ministry of Health, around 15 million children are hospitalized each year in developing countries due to cases of pneumonia.
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What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that can be triggered by different agents and produces respiratory signs and symptoms. It can be classified in different ways, one of these classifications being the division of pneumonia into two types: hospital - acquired and community-acquired .
Hospital - acquired or hospital-acquired pneumonia is a frequent complication in hospitalized patients, and this problem is considered the second cause of infection in patients with these conditions. It manifests itself clinically 48 hours after admission or less than 48 hours after discharge from the hospital. Community - acquired pneumonia , in turn, is that infection that occurs in individuals without any relation to the hospital environment. In this case, it clinically manifests itself in the community or within 48 hours of hospitalization.
causes of pneumonia
Pneumonia has different causes, and can be triggered by infectious agents or be a consequence of allergic processes , in which case it is caused by agents such as smoke and chemicals . Among the infectious agents, we can highlight viral , bacterial and fungal infections . In most cases, however, the disease is usually caused by a bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae (also called pneumococcus).
Pneumonia is often associated with the flu , being a serious complication of this virus. In these cases, what usually happens is the impairment of defense systems, facilitating the action of pneumonia-causing organisms, such as pneumococcus. The Sars-Cov-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 , may also be responsible for causing pneumonia.
Read also: Differences between COVID-19, flu and cold
transmission of pneumonia
According to the Ministry of Health, pneumonia can be transmitted by air, saliva, secretions and even by blood transfusion. The ministry also points out that, in winter, the nose hairs, which filter the air, have their functioning compromised, making the body more susceptible to the agents that cause the disease.
symptoms of pneumonia
Pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs, triggering problems such as coughing, mucus production, shortness of breath and chest pain, which can be intensified by taking a deep breath. In addition, pneumonia causes high fever, chills, changes in blood pressure, loss of appetite, malaise and weakness.
It is also worth mentioning that it is a serious disease and that it can even cause death if treatment is not carried out quickly and efficiently. Since the symptoms are not specific, it can take time to discover the disease, which can be potentially dangerous.
Diagnosis of pneumonia
Pneumonia is diagnosed by analyzing the patient's symptoms, listening to the lungs (checking for lung sounds), and taking a chest X-ray. Complementary exams can be carried out to identify the agent causing the problem.
treatment of pneumonia
As pneumonia can be caused by different agents, treatment varies according to the cause. In pneumonia caused by bacteria, for example, treatment is based on the use of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and azithromycin. In pneumonia caused by viruses, only the symptoms, such as pain and fever, are usually treated. Antiviral medications may be used in some cases. In pneumonia caused by fungi, antifungal drugs are used.
Hospital admission may be necessary in some cases, being recommended, for example, when the person has difficulty breathing and low blood oxygenation.
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