Infections are commonly viral and bacterial, but fungal and tuberculosis can also causepneumonia.
Common symptoms are moderate to high grade fever, cough with or without phlegm, breathingdifficulty and chest heaviness.
Sometimes blood mixed phlegm or frank blood on coughing can also be present.
These symptoms usually start suddenly.
All age groups and both genders can be affected.
Elderly persons, those with other health conditions like diabetes, chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, alcoholics and immunocompromised persons are at greater risk of developing pneumonia complications.
The two main complications of pneumonia are respiratory failure requiring mechanicalventilation, sepsis and septic shock.
Diagnosis of pneumonia requires a chest x-ray, CT chest and examination of phlegm.
In selected cases, a Bronchoscopy may be necessitated.
Antibiotics are the mainstay of treating pneumonia.
Timely diagnosis, and a proper course of right antibiotics affects cure in the majority of patients.
Following hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places especially by those having other health conditions, helps prevent pneumonia.
Annual influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine are important in preventing pneumonia, and should be taken as advised by your physician.
