Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The infection leads to inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli. The alveoli are filled with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult. Viral and bacterial pneumonia are more contagious. This means they can spread from person to person by inhaling air droplets from the nose or coughing. You can also get these types of pneumonia by touching faces or objects infected with bacteria or viruses that cause pneumonia. Fungal pneumonia can be contracted from the environment. It is not spread from person to person.
Pneumonia is further classified according to where or how it is acquired:
• Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). This type of bacterial pneumonia is contracted during a hospital stay. This can be more severe than in other species because the bacteria involved can be more resistant to antibiotics.
• Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). It refers to pneumonia caused outside a medical or institutional setting.
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). When people who use a ventilator get pneumonia, it's called VAP.
• Aspiration pneumonia. Removing bacteria in the lungs from food, drink, or saliva can cause aspiration pneumonia. This is more likely if you have trouble swallowing or if you are too sedated by taking drugs, alcohol or other drugs.
Pneumonia stage
Pneumonia can be classified according to the area of the lung it affects:
Bronchopneumonia
Bronchopneumonia can affect areas of both of your lungs. It is often located near or around your bronchi. These are the tubes that lead from your trachea to your lungs.
Lobar pneumonia
Lobar pneumonia can affect one or more lobes in the lungs. Each lung is made up of lobes, which are defined as sections of the lung. Lobar pneumonia can be further divided into four stages based on its progression:
• Congestion. The lung tissue appears heavy and congested. Fluid filled with infectious organisms collects in air sacs.
• Red hepatization. Red blood cells and immune cells enter the fluid. This makes the lungs red and firm.
• Greyhepatization. The red blood cells begin to break down, while the immune cells remain. The destruction of red blood cells causes a change in color, from red to gray.
• Resolution. Immune cells begin to eradicate the infection. A productive cough helps release excess fluid from the lungs.
Symptom
Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. They may include:
• a cough that may produce phlegm (phlegm)
• fever
• sweat or cold
• shortness of breath that occurs during normal activity or even at rest
• Chest pain worse when breathing or coughing
• feeling tired or fatigued
• no sense of food
• wear or vomit
• headache Other symptoms may vary depending on your age and overall health:
• Children may appear asymptomatic, but sometimes fall apart, have a lack of energy, or have difficulty drinking or eating.
• Children under 5 may have rapid breathing or wheezing.
• Elderly patients may have milder symptoms. They may also experience confusion or lower than normal body temperatures.
Causes
Pneumonia occurs when bacteria get into the lungs and cause an infection. The immune system's response to clear the infection results in inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli). This inflammation can eventually cause the air sacs to fill with pus and fluid, causing symptoms of pneumonia.
Risk factors
Anyone can get pneumonia, but certain groups are at higher risk. These groups include:
• children from birth to 2 years
• people aged 65 and older
• people with a weakened immune system: or pregnancy HIV or taking certain medications, such as steroids or certain cancer medications
• people with certain chronic medical conditions such as: about phyc or cystic fibrosis diabetes or COPD or heart failure or sickle cell disease or liver disease or kidney disease
• people who have been or are recently in hospital, especially if they are sitting or on a ventilator
• people with a brain condition that affects the ability to swallow or cough, such as: for battle or head injury or dementia or Parkinson's disease
• people who are frequently exposed to lung irritants such as air pollution and toxic fumes, especially at work
• people living in a crowded area, such as a prison or nursing home
• people who smoke, which makes it harder for the body to get mucus into the airways
• people who use drugs or drink a lot of alcohol, which can weaken the immune system and increase the chance of inhaling saliva or vomiting into the lungs due to sedation
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection. This is very common in the winter months. Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs. Influenza is one of the main causes of pneumonia. The flu is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. The flu is often called the flu, but it's not the same as the "flu" stomach viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. In most people, the flu clears up on its own. But sometimes the flu and its complications can be fatal. People at higher risk of developing complications from the flu include:
• Small children up to 5 years and especially up to 6 months
• Adults over 65 years of age
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth
• People with a weak immune system
• Indians
• People with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes
• People who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
Although the annual flu vaccine is not 100% effective, it is still your best defense against the flu.
Symptom
At first, the flu seemed like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat. But a cold usually grows slowly, while the flu is likely to come on suddenly. And while a cold can be uncomfortable, the flu usually makes you feel worse. Common signs and symptoms of the flu are:
• Fever
• Muscular pine
• Cold and sweat
• Headache
• Dry, persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Minority and weakness
• Runny nose or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Eye pine
• Vomiting and diarrhea, but are more common in children than in adults
If you have signs and symptoms of an emergency, seek medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency signs and symptoms may include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain in the chest
• Persistent dizziness
• attacks
• Exacerbation of an existing medical condition
• Severe muscle weakness or pain Characteristics and symptoms of a pediatric emergency may include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Blue lips
• Pain in the chest
• Dehydration
• Severe muscle pain
• Seizures
• Exacerbation of an existing medical condition
Causes
Influenza viruses are spread through the air through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. You can recognize the droplets immediately, or you can remove the germs from an object—such as a phone or computer keyboard—and then transfer them to your eyes, nose, or mouth. People with the virus are more likely to be infected from about one day before symptoms appear until about five days after onset. Children and people with weakened immune systems can be infected for a long time. Influenza viruses are constantly evolving and new strains are emerging. If you've had the flu before, your body has already developed antibodies to fight the specific strain of the virus. If future flu viruses are the same as those you've encountered in the past, either by getting sick or getting vaccinated against them, these antibodies can prevent the infection or make it less severe. But antibody levels can decrease over time. Antibodies against flu viruses you've encountered in the past may also not protect you against new strains of flu, which may be very different from the viruses you've had in the past.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of developing flu or complications are:
• Age. Seasonal flu is likely to target children ages 6 months to 5 years and adults age 65 or older.
• Living or working conditions. People who live or work in facilities with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more likely to get the flu. People who stay in hospital are at higher risk.
• Weak immune system. Cancer treatment, anti-rejection drugs, long-term steroid use, organ transplants, blood cancer or HIV/AIDS can weaken the immune system. This makes the flu easier and can also increase the risk of developing complications.
• Chronic diseases. Chronic conditions, including lung conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, nervous system disease, metabolic disease, respiratory abnormalities, and kidney, liver, or blood disease, can increase the risk of flu complications.
• Race. Native Americans may be at increased risk for flu complications.
• Taking aspirin under the age of 19. People under the age of 19 who have been treated with aspirin for a long time are at risk of developing Reye's syndrome if they catch the flu.
• Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to develop flu complications, especially in the second and third trimesters. Women are more likely to develop complications related to the flu within two weeks of the birth of their babies.
• Obesity. People with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more have an increased risk of flu
Complications.
Complication If you are young and healthy, the flu is usually not serious. Even if you feel miserable when you have it, the flu usually lasts about a week or two with no lasting effects. However, children and adults at high risk may have complications, which may include:
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• An asthma flare-up
• Heart problems
• Ear infections
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Pneumonia is one of the most serious complications. For the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, pneumonia can be fatal.
Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months of age and older. The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of getting the flu and its severity, and reduce the risk of serious flu illness and a hospital stay. Getting a flu shot is especially important today because flu and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cause the same symptoms. A flu shot can relieve symptoms that can be confused with the causes of COVID-19. Preventing influenza and reducing the severity of influenza illness and hospitalization can also reduce the number of people who need to stay in hospital. It is possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine. This year's seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against the four flu viruses expected to be most prevalent this flu season. This year, the vaccine can be used both as an injection and as a nasal spray. The nasal spray is not recommended for certain groups such as:
• Children under 2 years old
• Adults 50 and older
• Pregnant woman
• Children aged 2 to 17 take aspirin or salicylates
• People with a weak immune system
• Children aged 2 to 4 who have had asthma or wheezing in the last 12 months
Check the spread of the infection
The flu vaccine is not 100% effective, so it is also important to take several steps to reduce the spread of infection, including:
• Wash your hands. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is an effective way to prevent many common infections. Or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers without soap and water.
• Do not touch your face. Do not touch eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Coughing or itching of tissue or elbow. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Clean surfaces. Always clean frequently touched faces to prevent the infection from spreading to the face that has the virus and then to your face.
• Avoid crowds. The flu spreads quickly wherever people congregate—in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums, and public transportation. By avoiding people during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. Also heal anyone who is sick. And if you do get sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes down to reduce your chances of infecting others.
