Pneumonia is a very serious condition that must be treated. It can be mistaken for a cold that a person cannot seem to get over or for lingering symptoms from influenza. There are several types of pneumonia, and there can be a variety of symptoms depending on a person's age and medical well-being.
Function
Pneumonia affects the respiratory system. It can center in one lung or involve both. Pneumonia can originate from breathing in droplets of germs from an infected person's cough or sneeze, particularly in a closed in area such as a room, elevator, store or vehicle. Humans also carry bacteria or viruses that cause pneumonia in the mouth, throat and nose. During sleep, we can aspirate these microscopic particles, which will cause them to enter a lung.
Types
Pneumonia comes in several forms. It can be viral, bacterial, mycoplasma (better known as walking pneumonia), fungi or pneumocystitis carinii, or jiroveci, which affects AIDS patients. Symptoms vary with these serious conditions, and it is important to see a doctor to get proper diagnosis.
Identification
Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia come on suddenly. They come on top of an upper respiratory infection, a cold or influenza. Ongoing fevers and chills so severe that the teeth chatter can occur once or frequently. Fast, shallow breathing with the feeling that you are short of breath is another symptom. There can be pain in your chest or back that gets worse with coughing spells or when trying to take a breath. The cough produces yellowish-, green- or rusty-colored mucous which comes from the lungs. There can be blood in the mucous as well. You may experience a fast heartbeat, feel exhausted and extremely weak. A pneumonia patient can also feel nauseous and experience both vomiting and diarrhea.
Non-bacterial or viral pneumonia has symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and some mucous from the cough. Non-bacterial pneumonia can come on more slowly, is less severe and obvious in comparison to the bacterial infection. It can be difficult to identify because it appears like a severe cold.
Mycoplasma pneumonia can occur anytime, but occurs predominantly in late summer and early fall. It usually runs its course without serious complications. It is different from other pneumonia forms, since it takes a few weeks to incubate. Symptoms are fever, sore throat, chills, dry, worsening cough, persistent headache and achy chest. This form of pneumonia can cause an epidemic especially in closed in conditions such as college dorms, military barracks and prisons. It is more prominent in the 5- to 20-year-old age group.
Pneumocystitis jiroveci, formerly known as carinii, is caused be a fungus, and affects patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer and those with weakened immune systems from steroid therapies or organ and bone marrow transplants. It involves a dry cough, fever, rapid breathing and shortness of breath.
Warning
If you have a persistent cough, a fever of 102 degrees F or higher that may be accompanied by chills or sweats, or if you feel worse after having a cold or influenza, you need to make an appointment right away with your primary care provider, or go to the nearest clinic or emergency room. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are a chemotherapy patient, are on prednisone treatments or any drug that suppresses the immune system, you need to see the doctor right away. Pneumonia, when untreated, can lead to severe complications and death, as was the case with Muppets creator Jim Henson. The longer you wait to seek help, the more dangerous your health situation can become.
Considerations
Groups most at risk for pneumonia are older adults, young children and those with chronic illness or compromised immune systems due to a condition or medical treatment. Older adults can even have a lower than normal temperature rather than a fever with pneumonia. Those with medical conditions, problems with abuse of alcohol or cigarettes, are an intensive care hospital patient, are exposed to pollutants or chemicals, are prone to pneumonia. Patients that have had surgery or a traumatic injury are also susceptible to the illness, particularly if they are hospitalized and immobile for a period of time.
Tags: cold influenza, cough fever, immune systems, pneumonia come, right away, shortness breath