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What causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria usually cause bacterial pneumonia, but other bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenza, can also lead to it. Viral pneumonia typically arises from influenza A and B viruses. However, it sometimes involves more serious illnesses like viral bronchitis, measles, and chickenpox.
Other causes of pneumonia include:
- Exposure to certain chemicals and dust that irritate the lungs
- Being severely underweight or malnourished
- Smoking tobacco
- Environmental allergens
- Weakened immune systems due to medical conditions
- Inhaling food particles or fluids that can get into the airways instead of going down to the stomach
- Aspiration of vomit.
Age is also a factor since infants and elderly people have weaker immune system defenses, predisposing them to suffer from pneumonia faster than others.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia can vary depending on the cause of the infection and the person's age and overall health. Some common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Diagnosing and Treating Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be diagnosed based on symptoms, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Common diagnostic tests for pneumonia include:
- Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can reveal any signs of an infection in the lungs, helping to diagnose and treat it sooner.
- Blood tests: Through blood testing, it's possible to detect any existing infection and trace its origin.
- Sputum culture: A sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs can be sent to a laboratory to identify the cause of the infection.
- Bronchoscopy: In some cases, a flexible tube with a camera on end (bronchoscope) may be inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the airways and collect samples for testing.
The pneumonia treatment depends on the infection's cause, the severity of the symptoms, and the person's overall health. Treatment options include:
- Antibiotics
- Antiviral medications
- Antifungal medications
- Oxygen therapy
- Fluids
- Rest
- Vaccines
