PNEUMONIA

Pneumonia- is an infection that inflames your lungs’ air Risk factors

sacs (alveoli) The air sacs may fill up with fluid or pus,
causing symptoms such as cough, fever, chills and
trouble breathing.
Types:
Two age groups at highest risk are:
 Children who are 2years old or younger.
 People who are age 65 or older.

1. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)-

occurs either in the community setting or within
Other risk factors include:
the first 48 hours of hospitalization or
institutionalization.
 Being hospitalized- youre at a greater risk of
Causative agents: S. pneumonia, H.
pneumonia if you’re on a machine that helps you
influenza, Legionella, Pseudomonas
breathe (a ventilator).
aeruginosa.
 Chronic disease- youre more likely to get
2. Mycolasma pneumonia- another type of CAP,
pneumonia if you have asthma, chronic
occurs most often in older children and young
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart
adults and is spread by infected respiratory
disease.
droplets through person-to-person contact.
 Smoking- smoking damages your body’s
3. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)- also
natural defense against the bacteria and viruses
known as nosocomial pneumonia, is defined as
that cause pneumonia.
the onset of pneumonia symptoms more than 48
 Weakened or suppressed immune system-
hours after admission to the hospital.
people whoo have HIV/AIDS, whove had an
HAP accounts for approximately 15% of
organ transplant, or who receive chemotherapy
hospital-acquired infections but is the most lethal
or log-term steroids are at risk.
nosocomial infection. It is estimated to occur in
0.5% to 1% of all hospitalized patients and in Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
15% to 20% of intensive care patients.
causative agents: Enterobacter  Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or
species, Escherichia coli, Kiebsiella species, even bloody mucus.
Proteus, Serratia marcescens, P. aeruginosa  Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
and methicillin-sensitive or methicillin-resistant  Shortness of breath.
staphylococcus aureus.  Rapid, shallow breathing
 Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse
Pathophysiology
when you breathe deeply or cough.
 Bacteria enters the lungs (from the throat, nose  Loss of appetite, low energy and fatigue.
via airbone, droplet, blood mouth)
 Bacteria will invade the spaces between cells Causes
and between alveoli.
 Bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe.
 The macrophage and neutrophils inactivate the
o The body usually prevents these germs
bacteria. The bacteria also releases cytokines.
from infecting your lungs.
 It causes activation of the immune system
o But sometimes these germs can
 It will lead to fever, chills and fatigue.
overpower your immune system, even if
 The neutrophil, bacteria and fluid fill the alveoli.
your health is generally good.
 Resulting in the consolidation seen in the x-ray
film.
 PNEUMONIA

Prevention Medical Management

 Get vaccinated- vaccines are available to Mild pneumonia

prevent some types of pneumonia and the flu.
Talk with your doctor about getting these shots.  Rest
The vaccination guidelines have changed  Antibiotic
overtime so make sure to review your  Plenty of fluids
vaccination status with your doctor even if you
Severe cases
recall previously receiving pneumonia vaccine.
 Make sure children get vaccinated- doctors Hospitalization
recommend a different pneumonia vaccine for
children younger than age 2 and for children 1. Oxygen as appropriate to achieve target
ages 2 to 5 years who are at particular risk of oxygen saturations 94-98% for most
pneumococcal disease. Children who attend a patients.
group child care center should also get the  88-92% for those at risk of
vaccine. Doctors also recommend flu shots for hypercapnic respiratory failure (e.g
children older than 6 months. some COPD patients, morbid
obesity, neuromuscular or chest wall
disease)
2. Pharmacological
Diagnostics
 IV antibiotics
 Blood tests- Blood tests are used to confirm an  Analgesia (NSAID)
infection and to try to identify the type of  Antipyretics
organism causing the infection. However,  Cough medicines
precise identification isn’t always possible. 3. IV fluids if appropriate
 Chest x-ray- this helps your doctor diagnose 4. Plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
pneumonia and determine the extent and 5. Physiotherapy if tenacious sputum or mucus
location of the infection. However, it can’t tell plugging
your doctor what kind of germ is causing the 6. Diet high protein diet
pneumonia. 7. Deep breathing exercise.
 Pulse oximetry- this measures the oxygen level
in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your
lungs from moving enough oxygen into your
bloodstream.
 Sputum Test- a sample of fluis from your lungs
(sputum) is taken after a deep cough and
analysed to help pinpoint the cause of the
infection.
 Chest CT scan- may recommended if
pneumonia isn’t clearing as quickly as expected,
to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs.
 Pleural fluid culture- a fluid sample is taken by
putting a needle between your ribs
(thoracentesis) from the pleural area and
analysed to help determine the type of infection.