Pneumonia: Causes and Diagnosis
Pneumonia is a common infection that can affect any person, but it's especially dangerous for children and the elderly. It's caused by a virus or a bacteria and is usually spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. It can be diagnosed by a healthcare provider who listens to your lungs with a stethoscope and does a physical exam. Your doctor may do additional tests, like imaging or blood tests. The test results help your doctor figure out which kind of germ is causing your pneumonia.
Prevention and Treatment of Pneumonia
The best way to prevent getting pneumonia is by washing your hands regularly. You should also avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using tobacco products. These can make it harder for your body to fight the bacteria or viruses that cause pneumonia. If you have pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics that will kill the bacteria that are causing it. Antibiotics can also help your body heal if you've had other health problems.
Your doctor may also recommend medicines that help loosen mucus in your lungs and breathing treatments. If you are having trouble breathing, your doctor might give you an inhaler or a ventilator (a machine that pushes air into the lungs).
Recovery and Complications
Once you're treated for pneumonia, your symptoms should clear up within a few days. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor might recommend a chest X-ray to check for other lung diseases and infections. Most people with pneumonia get better in a week or less and can go back to work and normal activities quickly. In severe cases, however, pneumonia can take a long time to heal and may even lead to complications. Symptoms of pneumonia can include: shaking chills, fever, cough, night sweats, muscle aches, rapid breathing and heartbeat, shortness of breath, confusion, and weight loss.
Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of pneumonia. Viral pneumonia can be treated with antiviral medications, while bacterial pneumonia needs treatment with antibiotics to fight off the germs that are causing it. It is important to stay on your medication for the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Failure to do so can increase your risk of developing antibiotic resistance and make your pneumonia come back more often in the future.
Prevention and Prognosis
You can get a flu or pneumonia vaccination, which is recommended by your doctor, and will protect you from these types of infections. You can also avoid pneumonia by staying away from sick people and avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol. A healthy diet can help keep your immune system strong and prevent infections. You can also try to drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
If you need to be hospitalized for pneumonia, your doctor will use a chest X-ray or other medical tests to determine the best treatment for you. They may also use invasive procedures to find out the cause of your pneumonia. The prognosis for pneumonia varies depending on the type of bacteria or virus that is causing it and whether your immune system is weakened or suppressed. Older adults, people with chronic lung disease, and those who are receiving immunosuppressive drugs or cancer treatment can have a worse prognosis than younger people.
