PNEUMONIA: symptoms, causes and classification.

-

PNEUMONIA.

know your health
pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of lung primarily affect air sacs known as alveoli in one or both lungs, can be caused by microbes includes bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When an individual has pneumonia the air sacs (alveoli) in lungs become filled with microbes, fluid and inflammatory cells and result in difficult in breathing.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF PNEUMONIA.

Pneumonia symptoms can be mild to severe illness, and they vary according to etiology, severity and general heath of a person. Early symptoms of pneumonia include:
  • cough with yellow or green mucus
  • sharp or stabbing chest pain
  • fever with shaking or chills
  • shortness of breath
  • excessive sweating
  • cyanosis (bluish discolouration of the lips and nails)
  • weakness (fatigue)
  • confusion
know your health
pneumonia affect air sac

CLASSIFICATION AND CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia can be caused by infection of viruses, bacteria and less common fungi and parasites. Anyone can get this lung infection. But infants younger than age 2 and people over age 65 have the highest odds. That’s because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it. Risk factors that predispose to pneumonia include:
  • cigarette smoking
  • immunocompromise
  • liver disease
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • asthma 
  • chronic kidney disease
  •  alcohol drinking
  • advanced age
  • infants from birth to age 2 years  

PNEUMONIA CAN BE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO MICROORGANISM, LOCATION AND HOW IT ACQUIRED. 

Types according to microorganisms cause pneumonia, includes:

  • Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacteria most common Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
  • Viral pneumonia is a complication of the viruses that cause colds and the flu.
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of atypical bacteria that commonly causes mild infections of the respiratory system. Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is also called walking pneumonia since symptoms tend to be milder than pneumonia caused by other germs.
  • Fungal pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by fungi. It can be caused by either endemic or opportunistic fungi or a combination of both. One of fungal pneumonia is called Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP). affects immunocompromised individual such as those with AIDS.

Types according to location it acquired, includes:

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP): pneumonia that is acquired inside of medical setting 
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): pneumonia that is acquired outside of a medical or institutional setting.

Types according to how it acquired, includes:

Aspiration pneumonia: it acquired when inhale food, stomach acid, or saliva into your lungs.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is caused by ventilators.

DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia is diagnosed by combination of medical techniques such as clinical history, physical examinations, laboratory tests and imaging tests.
  • A blood test used to detect infections of microbes in blood.
  • A sputum test used to detect microbes present on lungs.
  • Pulse oximetry measures level of oxygen in the blood.
  • A urine test for identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila.
  • X-ray can be used as confirmatory test for pneumonia.
  • A CT scan offers better image of the lungs to diagnose complications of pneumonia.
  • A fluid sample from pleural space of chest.
  • A bronchoscopy offers view of lungs through camera.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most viewed

CERVICAL CANCER; SYMPTOMS, SIGNS AND CAUSES

-
Image
be healthy and live happier NO cervical cancer CERVICAL CANCER Refers to the type of cancer that arise from Uterine cervix (neck of the womb) due to abnormal cell grow out of control that have the ability to spread to the other part of the body. The Cervix is the lower part (narrow ending ) of the uterus/womb in the Female Reproductive System. Female reproductive system Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening and test  and a vaccine  to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are available. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Cervical Cancer affecting different parts of uterus CAUSES OF CERVICAL CANCER. Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) Human papillovirus HPV is most common cause about 90% of the Cervical Cancer, However not all HPV infection lead to Cancer oth...
Read more

MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS OF ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE

-
Image
people drinks alcohol. Alcohol abuse refers to continued alcohol use despite awareness of social, occupational, psychological or physical problems associated with drinking. The following are criteria used to diagnose alcohol abuse occurring at any time during a 12 month period: A failure to fulfill important responsibility at home, work or school. Drinking in dangerous ways situations, example before driving. Legal problems associated with alcohol.  Continuation of alcohol drink despite of problems caused by alcohol abuse. Alcohol dependence is a seperate disorder in which person develops a strong craving for alcohol because it produce pleasurable feelings or relieves stress or anxiety. Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease in which genetic, psychosocial and environmental factors influence its development and manifestations, as defined by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the American Society of Addiction. CAUSES OF ALCOHO...
Read more

STAGES, TREATMENT AND PREVENTIONS OF CERVICAL CANCER

-
Image
STAGES OF CERVICAL CANCER. Staging for carcinoma of cervix involves clinical features, surgical and pathological evaluation.  Tests that examine the cervix are used to detect (find) and diagnose cervical cancer. The following stages are used for cervical cancer: Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Stages of Carcinoma of Cervix Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) In carcinoma in situ (stage 0), abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the cervix. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage I In stage I cancer is strictly confirmed to the cervix.  Stage I is divided into stages IA and IB, based on the amount of cancer that is found.         Stage IA: A very small amount of cancer that can only be seen with a microscope   is found in the   tissues   of the   cervix .  Sta...
Read more

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

-
Image
PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE En-comprises both Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers, depending on location of ulcer; Gastric Ulcer found on Stomach while Duodenal Ulcer found in first part of small intestine known as Duodenum. Peptic Ulcers are referred as breaks / erosion in the mucosal surface (about 5 mm in size) with depth to the submucosal of Stomach and Duodenum. Gastric Ulcer CAUSES OF PEPTIC ULCER. The most important cause of Peptic Ulcers is Infection with Helicobacter Pylori and long term use of group of medications such as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs); Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori). H. Pylori is the bacterium (Gram Negative micro-aerophilic rod) found in most common in the deeper portion of the mucosa gel coating Stomach mucosa or between the mucosa layer and the gastric epithelium. People who are infected with H. pylori are at higher risk of developing Peptic Ulcers. It confirmed in laboratory by number of tests depend on the situ...
Read more

HOW TO TREAT AND PREVENT PEPTIC ULCERS.

-
Image
TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCERS. Treatment of peptic ulcers depend greatly on the underlying cause of the Ulcers and clinical presentation. Usually treatment involves cessation or reduction of NSAIDs use by substitute them with other pain medications, promote Ulcers healing, neutralize/reduction of Stomach Acid and eradication of H. pylori Bacterium. Here I will discuss basic and most common medications to treat peptic Ulcers . Acid Neutralizing Drugs (Antacids). Neutralization of secreted Stomach Acid with Antacids constituted the main form of therapy for Peptic Ulcers and Indigestion. The most common Antacids are Aluminium hydroxide and Magnesium hydroxide and they available as tablets or syrup. Antacid can provide relief of the symptoms and not Ulcers heal. Antacid neutralize secreted stomach acid Medications that inhibit or reduce Acid secretion/production known as H-2 Receptor Antagonists. These includes Cimetidine 400 mg, Ranitidine 300 mg,...
Read more