Pneumonia: Immune System and Tiny Air Sacs
Introduction
Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die of pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs that's usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people. Worldwide, it's a leading cause of death in children.
There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of pneumonia develop suddenly, with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.
Although antibiotics can treat some of the most common forms of bacterial pneumonias, antibiotic-resistant strains are a growing problem. For that reason, and because the disease can be very serious, it's best to try to prevent infection in the first place.
Signs and symptoms
Pneumonia can be difficult to spot. It often mimics a cold or the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever. Chest pain is a common symptom of many types of pneumonia. Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly, depending on underlying conditions and the type of organism causing the infection:
Bacteria - Many types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia can occur independently, at the same time as viral pneumonia, or may develop after having a viral upper respiratory infection such as influenza. Signs and symptoms include: shaking chills, a high fever, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough that produces thick, greenish or yellow phlegm. Bacterial pneumonia is often confined to just one area (lobe) of the lung. This is called lobar pneumonia.
Viruses - About half the reported cases of pneumonia are caused by viruses. Viral pneumonia tends to begin with flu-like signs and symptoms. It usually starts with a dry cough, headache, fever, muscle pain and
Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die of pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs that's usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people. Worldwide, it's a leading cause of death in children.
There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of pneumonia develop suddenly, with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.
Although antibiotics can treat some of the most common forms of bacterial pneumonias, antibiotic-resistant strains are a growing problem. For that reason, and because the disease can be very serious, it's best to try to prevent infection in the first place.
Signs and symptoms
Pneumonia can be difficult to spot. It often mimics a cold or the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever. Chest pain is a common symptom of many types of pneumonia. Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly, depending on underlying conditions and the type of organism causing the infection:
Bacteria - Many types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia can occur independently, at the same time as viral pneumonia, or may develop after having a viral upper respiratory infection such as influenza. Signs and symptoms include: shaking chills, a high fever, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough that produces thick, greenish or yellow phlegm. Bacterial pneumonia is often confined to just one area (lobe) of the lung. This is called lobar pneumonia.
Viruses - About half the reported cases of pneumonia are caused by viruses. Viral pneumonia tends to begin with flu-like signs and symptoms. It usually starts with a dry cough, headache, fever, muscle pain and
Cited: 1. http://pneumonia.researchtoday.net/about-pneumonia.htm 2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pneumonia/DS00135/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print 3. http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_respire/pneumnia.cfm 4. http://www.nyp.org/health/pneumonia.html 5. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch052/ch052a.html?qt=pneumonia&alt=sh