PNEUMONIA: symptoms, causes and classification.

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PNEUMONIA.

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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
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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.

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