HTV

Pneumonia

Overview

Pneumonia corresponds to the infection of the lungs that causes inflammation. It could either be mild, moderate, severe or even life-threatening. It is more dangerous in babies, infants, adults over the age of 65, and immunocompromised patients. The infection could either be bacterial, viral, or even fungal.

Causes

There is a larger range of organisms that can lead to this disease, some of the more common ones are listed as follows:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Mycoplasma pneumonia
  • Hemophilus influenza
  • Chlamydia pneumonia
  • Legionella pneumophila
  • Moraxella catarrhalis

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of this health condition are:

  • Cough
  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Altered mental state

Diagnosis

After taking medical history and physical examination, the following tests are recommended for the diagnosis of this  disease:

  • Blood culture
  • Chest X-ray
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Sputum culture
  • CT scan
  • Pleural fluid culture

Treatment

  • Antibiotics
  • Cough medicine (for symptomatic relief)
  • Antipyretic medicines (for fever)