Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs usually caused by an infection. Pneumonia is a serious medical condition and potentially a life-threatening illness. It can result from a variety of causes such as infection (i.e. bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites), chemical and physical injury. Outbreaks of new germs like H5N1 influenza virus (avian flu), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, swine flu (Type A influenza) virus have caused serious, sometimes fatal pneumonia even in otherwise healthy people.
In pneumonia, the alveoli (air-filled sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen) are filled with pus and other fluids making it difficult for oxygen to reach the blood. With little oxygen in the blood, your body cells can't function properly. When the lungs become congested with fluids, and breathing becomes difficult.
Pneumonia can affect the lungs in two ways:
- Lobar pneumonia if the lung inflammation or infection affects a section (lobe) of the lung.
- Bronchopneumonia is when the inflammation spreads from the bronchi to other parts of the lung.
Often times, pneumonia follows an upper respiratory tract infection such as cold or influenza (Flu).
Certain individuals are at high risk of developing severe pneumonia because of weaker immune system. Adults aged 65 or older, very young children, persons with chronic medical conditions and persons with HIV/AIDS should be more vigilant and take extra precautionary measures when there's an outbreak of infectious respiratory dieases like influenza (Flu).
Symptoms
Symptons of pneumonia vary greatly depending on the cause and the underlying condition the person has. Typical symptons associated with pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Breathing difficulty
A person with bacterial pneumonia usually presents with a sudden onset of symptons such as high grade fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain and cough with thick, greenish or yellowish phlegm.
For viral pneumonia, the symptons usually start with a dry non-productive cough, fever, headache, body and muscle pains. Subsequently, a person may become breathless and the cough becomes productive with whitish or clear phlegm.
Children suffering from pneumonia may experience a sudden onset of fever, coughing, laboured and rapid breathing (more than 45 breaths a minute), wheezing, bluish skin, lips or fingertips.
Treatment
Medication to treat pneumonia depend on the germs (bacteria/virus) that cause the infection. If the cause of pneumonia is due to bacteria, antibiotics are usually given. If the pneumonia is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not be effective. A few viral pneumonias may be treated with antiviral medication. Besides antibiotics and antiviral medication, supportive treatment is also given which includes medication to relieve cough, fever, chest pains and body aches.
For mild cases of viral pneumonia, good bed rest, balanced diet and plenty of fluids may be all that is necessary.
For severe cases of pneumonia, hospitalisation may be needed. The patient may require intravenous antibiotics and be put on oxygen.
Prevention
Pneumonia is usually triggered when a patient's defense immune system is weakened e.g. a simple viral upper respiratory tract infection or a case of influenza (Flu). The following tips can help keep you healthy:
- Get Vaccinated. Persons over the age of 65, persons whose spleen has been damaged or removed, or those suffering from chronic lung disease, heart disease, sickle cell anaemia, AIDS and other immune deficiency diseases, should be vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia. Getting a flu vaccination is also recommended to these group of individuals as pneumonia is a common complication of Influenza (Flu).
- Wash hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water. Your hands are the most in contact with germs that can cause pneumonia. These germs enter your body when you touch your eyes, mouth and nose.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and engaging in regular physical activity can help keep your immune system strong and healthy.
- Quit smoking. Smoking damages your lungs and lowers your resistance to fight respiratory infections. Also, smokers who develop pneumonia get more complications than non-smokers.
If you have symptons of pneumonia:
- See your family doctor if you are unwell. Early diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia are important.
- Follow your doctor's advice. Take the full course of the antibiotic medication that your doctor prescribes. This will help prevent recurrence of pneumonia and relapse.
- Rest at home until you are well.
- Protect others from the infection.
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue.
- Wear a surgical mask when you have the flu or common cold.
Source : Health Promotion Board, Singapore
