Information AboutPneumonia |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PNEUMONIA | |
| infectious diseases | |
| pneumoniainfectious diseases | |
| pneumonia | |
| pulmonology | |
| diseases | |
Pneumonia is an illness of the Lung s and respiratory system in which the microscopic, Air-filled Sacs (alveoli) responsible for absorbing Oxygen from the Atmosphere become inflamed and flooded with fluid. Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including Infection with Bacteria , Viruses , Fungi , or Parasite s. Pneumonia may also occur from chemical or physical injury to the lungs, or indirectly due to another medical illness, such as Lung Cancer or Alcohol Abuse . Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia include Cough , Chest Pain , Fever , and Difficulty Breathing . Diagnostic tools include X-ray s and examination of the Sputum . Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia; bacterial pneumonia is treated with Antibiotic s. Pneumonia is a common illness, occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of Death among the elderly and people who are chronically ill. Vaccine s to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. The Prognosis for an individual depends on the type of pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and the person's underlying Health . SYMPTOMS with fluid, keeping oxygen from reaching the bloodstream. The alveolus on the left is normal, while the alveolus on the right is full of fluid from pneumonia.]] People with infectious pneumonia often have a cough that produces greenish or yellow Sputum and a high Fever that may be accompanied by Shaking Chills . Shortness Of Breath is also common, as is pleuritic Chest Pain , a sharp or stabbing pain, either felt or worse during deep breaths or coughs. People with pneumonia may Cough Up Blood , experience Headache s, or develop Sweaty and clammy skin. Other symptoms may include Loss Of Appetite , fatigue, Blueness Of The Skin , Nausea , Vomiting , and Joint Pains or Muscle Aches . Less common forms of pneumonia can cause a variety of other symptoms. For instance, pneumonia caused by '' Legionella '' may cause abdominal pain and Diarrhea , while pneumonia caused by Tuberculosis or ''Pneumocystis'' may cause only Weight Loss and Night Sweats . In elderly people the manifestations of pneumonia may not be typical. Instead, they may develop new or worsening confusion or may experience unsteadiness leading to falls. Infants with pneumonia may have many of the symptoms above, but in many cases, they are simply sleepy or have decreased appetite. DIAGNOSIS To diagnose pneumonia, health care providers rely on a patient's Symptoms and findings from Physical Examination . Information from a Chest X-ray , Blood Test s, and sputum Culture s may also be helpful. The chest X-ray is typically used for diagnosis in hospitals and some clinics with X-ray facilities. However, in a community setting ( General Practice ), pneumonia is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and physical examination alone. Diagnosing pneumonia can be difficult in some people, especially those who have other illnesses. Occasionally a chest CT Scan or other tests may be needed to distinguish pneumonia from other illnesses. Physical examination Individuals with symptoms of pneumonia need medical evaluation. Physical Examination by a health care provider may reveal Fever or sometimes Low Body Temperature , an Increased Respiratory Rate , Low Blood Pressure , a Fast Heart Rate , or a low Oxygen Saturation , which is the amount of oxygen in the blood as indicated by either Pulse Oximetry or Blood Gas Analysis . People who are struggling to breathe, confused, or who have Cyanosis (blue-tinged skin) require immediate attention. |
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