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Pnemonia
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Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung, which can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. Pneumonia is usually triggered when a patient's defense system is weakened, most often by a simple viral upper respiratory tract infection or a case of influenza. Such infections or other triggers do not cause pneumonia directly but they alter the mucous blanket, thus encouraging bacterial growth. Other factors can also make specific people susceptible to bacterial growth and pneumonia.
Half of all pneumonia cases are caused by bacteria. The streptococcus bacteria, known as pneumococcus, is the main cause of the most typical pneumonia.
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Pneumonia Symptoms |
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Pneumonia can be difficult to spot. It often mimics a cold or the flu, so you may not realize you have a more serious condition. What's more, signs and symptoms can vary greatly, depending on any underlying conditions you may have and the type of organism causing the infection:
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Pneumonia Causes |
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Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. However, if a person is in a weakened condition from another illness, a severe pneumonia can develop. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population.
Pneumonia is sometimes classified according to where or how you're exposed to the disease:
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Pneumonia Treatment |
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Treatments for pneumonia vary, depending on the severity of your symptoms and the type of pneumonia you have.
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