The Facts About Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that limits oxygen intake and makes breathing difficult and painful. The lungs fill up with fluid or pus, which makes it difficult for one to breathe in enough oxygen to reach their bloodstream. Pneumonia can be mild, or so severe that it may send the patient to the hospital.

Anyone can get this disease, but infants younger than age 2 and people over age 65 have the highest odds. That is because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it.

Pneumonia is the biggest killer of children under age 5 worldwide. Nearly 1 in 5 global child deaths result from pneumonia every year, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Pneumonia is actually a preventable and treatable illness via vaccines, antibiotic treatment, and improved sanitation. 

You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. You can also have it, and not even know it! This is called “walking pneumonia.” If your pneumonia is caused by a bacteria or virus, you can spread it to someone else.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can have many causes, including:

• Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
• Fungi
• Flu viruses
• Cold viruses
• RSV virus: the top cause of pneumonia in babies age 1 or younger.

Some people also get “ventilator associated pneumonia” if they develop the infection while on a ventilator. Pneumonia can also be “hospital acquired,” if you get infected in a hospital while not on a ventilator, or “community acquired,” developed outside a hospital.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms can be a complication of colds and flu, meaning that it may not be immediately recognizable at first. You may have the following:

• High fever: up to 105F
• Coughing: coughing up green, yellow, or bloody mucus
• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Labored and rapid breathing: more than 45 breaths a minute.
• Extreme fatigue 
• Low appetite
• Sharp chest pain: especially when coughing or taking a deep breath
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Blue lips and fingernails: signals a lack of oxygen
• Confusion: more common in older people 

When to see a doctor: Call your doctor right away if symptoms of your cold or flu do not start to improve with rest and treatment, or if the symptoms begin to get worse. If you think you or your child have symptoms of pneumonia, do not wait for them to get worse. Call your doctor. Everyone who has pneumonia must see a doctor. 

Treating Pneumonia

How your pneumonia is treated depends on what caused it and how bad your symptoms are. If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will give you antibiotics to treat it. He’ll also take steps to prevent complications. 

If your pneumonia was caused by a virus, treatment includes lots of fluids and bed rest, as well as management of other symptoms and any complications.

If the pneumonia becomes severe, you may have to stay in the hospital for treatment. While there, your doctor will probably give you fluids or antibiotics through an IV tube. Depending on the severity, you may need oxygen therapy or breathing treatments. 

Complications from Pneumonia

Pneumonia, no matter what the cause, can lead to other medical troubles, such as:

• Bacteremia: bacteria entering your bloodstream.
• Septic shock: a serious reaction to a blood infection.
• Lung abscesses: pockets of pus building up in your lungs.
• Pleural effusions: swollen pleura, layers of tissue in your lungs.
• Pleurisy: inflamed pleura.
• Empyema: infected fluid in your lungs.
• Respiratory failure.
• Kidney failure.
• Heart failure.

Reducing Your Risk

Getting pneumonia after surgery can be quite serious. According to the CDC, studies have suggested that pneumonia acquired in the hospital can be fatal as often as 33% of the time. Your doctor should help advise on ways to protect yourself, such as:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions about not eating or drinking before surgery.
• Disinfecting: regularly disinfect any spaces you spend time in.
• Hand washing: make sure everyone around you washes their hands.
• Movement: lying flat on your back for extended periods can increase your risk of pneumonia. Make sure you can move when it’s safe!
• Breathing exercises: 10-15 deep breaths per hour.
• Stop smoking.

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