This overview is a sample of the type of information available to you at Griffin Hospital's Community Health Resource Center. It is not intended to replace your physician's instructions in the management of your health problems, but to better inform you about a particular illness and alert you to the availability of other materials. If you have a question about any piece of information presented in theses fact sheets, please call your physician, or stop by the Community Health Resource Center at your convenience.

PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the tiny air-sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Normally, the alveoli fill with air each time you breathe. When a person has pneumonia, fluid and white blood cells that fill the alveoli block air from getting in. This results in coughing and difficulty breathing. The amount of difficulty will depend on how many alveoli are filled with fluid.

WHAT CAUSES PNEUMONIA?

Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection and can be spread from one person to another by coughing or sneezing or other direct contact, such as kissing or sharing eating utensils. Although healthy individuals are normally able to fight off these germs, smokers, people with weakened immune systems, weakened cough reflexes, other lung infections, or whose health is weakened in some other way may not be able to fight off the germs and may become ill with pneumonia after exposure to these germs.

Pneumonia can also be caused by things which irritate the lungs and cause inflammation. Pneumonia can occur after breathing in chemicals such as chlorine or heavy smoke that can damage the lungs. Pneumonia can also be caused by the aspiration of foreign materials such as food into the lungs.

WHO GETS PNEUMONIA?

Anyone at any age can get pneumonia but it is more common and more serious in very young children (under 2), and in older adults whose resistance to infection may be low. It is also more serious in people who smoke since smoke damages the tiny hair-like structures (cilia) that normally sweep mucus, bacteria, and irritants out of the lungs. People who drink heavily and/or are malnourished are also more susceptible because of the weakness of the immune system caused by these conditions.People who are paralyzed or semi-conscious, or who are on prolonged bed restare more likely to get pneumonia since they cannot cough up secretions that can harbor infections. People who have recently had surgery are at greater risk for getting pneumonia because anesthesia temporarily impairs the body's respiratory defenses.

People who have chronic lung or heart conditions, diabetes, or immune deficiency diseases are also more prone to getting pneumonia.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The symptoms of pneumonia usually include fever, chills, rapid pulse, noisy breathing, and a cough with production of colored or foul smelling mucus. Other symptoms are shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

In some people pneumonia may cause only mild symptoms which seem no worse than a prolonged cold. In others, pneumonia can be a very serious or fatal illness.

DIAGNOSING PNEUMONIA

In diagnosing pneumonia, the doctor will listen to your lungs, tap on your chest and back, and check your temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. You will most likely have a chest x-ray. You may be asked to produce a sample of your sputum (what you can cough up) that can be sent to the lab to help determine what type of germ is causing your pneumonia and which antibiotic would be best to treat it. Blood tests may include blood counts and tests for infection as well as a special blood test called an arterial blood gas (ABG) or oximetry that can determine whether your lungs are providing enough oxygen to your bloodstream.

 TREATMENT

The type of treatment depends on the type of pneumonia and what organism is suspected of causing the pneumonia. Most doctors will prescribe an antibiotic right away. The antibiotics may be changed if the lab tests show that a different antibiotic would be more effective. Antibiotics can be given in pill form or into a vein (IV). Sometimes several antibiotics are needed or they are changed from pill to IV or IV to pill. Although most people with pneumonia can be treated at home, some need to be hospitalized. This will depend on how severely ill you are. The doctor will consider your condition, medical history, your risk factors, and the need for close monitoring. Because of the risk of acquiring another type of infection while in the hospital, hospitalization is avoided if at all possible. Frequently, the types of infections acquired in the hospitals are resistant to the commonly used antibiotics and are more difficult to treat.

Your doctor may also order medication to relieve your cough and/or to reduce fever or discomfort. If you are having difficulty breathing, oxygen may be given to help you breathe.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

It is important that you keep your nurse and doctor informed about how you are feeling. Once antibiotics are begun, you should feel better within 2-3 days. If not, more tests may be needed to look for unusual, resistant, or non-infectious causes of your pneumonia. Even after you feel better, you must continue taking your antibiotics until they are finished to prevent the infection from coming back.You can also help with your recovery by turning frequently or moving around to help drain and prevent extra fluid from collecting in your lungs. Taking several deep breaths every hour or so will also help keep your lungs expanded. It is important to cough to get rid of your mucus even if it hurts your chest muscles. Holding a pillow to support your chest or stomach areas will help you have a strong cough.

Eating a high calorie diet and drinking plenty of fluids will also help in your recovery. Fluids help keep your mucus thin and easier to cough up.

COPING

A healthy person can recover from pneumonia in 2-3 weeks although it may take a few months before a state of full strength is achieved. In someone who is weak or chronically ill, and in some heavy smokers, it may take several months to recover from pneumonia. When you are at home for the recovery period, it is important to allow yourself the rest you need. It is also important that you keep any follow-up appointments with your doctor so that he or she can monitor your progress.To prevent yourself from getting pneumonia again it will help to stop smoking, avoid excessive alcohol intake, and maintain good nutrition and good overall health which increases your natural resistance to disease and keeps your body’s defense system strong. If you have problems with frequent flu and respiratory infections, ask your doctor or nurse about getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines, which can protect you from certain infections.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious pneumonia is covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing along with good hygiene and good handwashing. This will prevent you from picking up unwanted germs from others and also from passing on your germs to others.

Please note that this information is intended to give you a general overview of the topic. It is not intended to replace advice or instruction of a health professional. We recommend that you consult your physician, nurse, or qualified health professional regarding the information in this publication. © 1994 Planetree, Inc. Reproduction of this material in any form is limited to license agreement.

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