Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a type of inflammatory disease formed in lungs. In specific there is an inflammation in alveoli or microscopic air sacs found in the lungs. It can be formed when the lungs get filled with fluid resulting in consolidation and or exudation. The respiratory infections are more common and are caused by infecting agents for instance viruses, parasites, bacteria and fungi. The physical injury and or chemical burns shall result in the formation of pneumonia. The general symptoms of pneumonia are chest pain, fever, cough and shortness of breath. The pneumonia can be diagnosed with the help of equipments such as x-rays and sputum examination. The treatment for pneumonia is dependent on the underlying cause of pneumonia, for instance bacterial pneumonia is treated with the help of antibiotics. The occurrence of pneumonia is not constricted with the age groups. The death due to pneumonia is in leading stage. Vaccines are available to prevent the formation of pneumonia. The prognosis is also dependent on the types of pneumonia, its treatment methods, complications associated with and health of an individual.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Following are symptoms prevalent in pneumonic individual.

• Cough
• Yellow or green sputum
• Phlegm
• High fever
• Shaking chills
• Shortness of breathe
• Chest pain
• Head aches
• Sweaty skin
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mood swings
• Joint pains
• Muscle aches
• Clammy skin
• Low body temperature
• Increased respiratory rate
• Low blood pressure
• High heart rate
• Low oxygen saturation
• Confusion
• Blue tinged skin
• Night sweats
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

Causes of pneumonia

The causative agent of pneumonia can be microorganisms, irritation and or unknown origin. The invasion of microorganisms through lungs and response of immune system to infections result in formation of pneumonia.

Questions:

• What is pneumonia?
• What are causative agents of pneumonia?
• What are symptoms of pneumonia?