Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs due to bacterial infection. Different

types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. This type of pneumonia can occur in both lungs,
one lung, or one section of a lung. Other types of bacteria can cause pneumonia and
significant harm, alongside other types of pathogen, including viruses, parasites, and fungi.

The severity of bacterial pneumonia symptoms can vary. Some people only experience
mild symptoms while others develop life-threatening complications. According to the
American Lung Association, typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include: chest pain,
shortness of breath, a cough that may produce yellow or green mucus, fever, tiredness,
chills.

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia tend to be similar in both children and adults. According
to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers and infants may cry more than usual, have
reduced energy, and appear pale. A person who suspects symptoms of pneumonia should
seek medical attention. The cause of a particular presentation of pneumonia can be difficult
to determine without seeing a physician.

Complications may include the following:

 Respiratory failure: This might develop if oxygen levels in the lungs drop too low
or if carbon dioxide levels spike. It can occur due to inadequate breathing ability,
and respiratory failure may even cause lung function to stop completely.

 Sepsis: This occurs when an infection causes an overwhelming inflammatory

response throughout the body. Sepsis can lead to failure in multiple organs and may
be life-threatening.

 Lung abscess: This occurs when an infected pocket of pus forms in the lung.

 Empyema: This is an infectious collection of pus in the pleural cavity that

surrounds the outside of lungs

 Additional tests may also support a pneumonia diagnosis, such as a chest CT

scan and an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample. An ABG measures the amount of
oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood, in addition to other things like pH
and bicarbonate levels, and helps determine breathing efficiency and gas exchange.
 The medical team might also perform a bronchoscopy to look into the lung airways
and obtain a biopsy or a mucus sample. The operating doctor inserts a small tube
with a tiny camera attached through the mouth into the lungs.
 A person receives medication before a bronchoscopy to numb and relax the throat,
and the doctor typically also gives intravenous sedating medication.