Medical Science Faculty of Sagua la Grande,

Villa Clara
Subject: English VII and VIII

Professors

 MSc.Julian Cairo Molinet, Assistant professor

 BA. Miguel Sánchez Gómez, Assistant professor

 Pneumonia

Objective:
 To describe different features of pneumonia in order to
prepare students to discuss a case in English
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lung. It can be
caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Pneumonia causes
inflammation in your lung’s air sacs, or alveoli.
 Classification

There are five major types of pneumonia but the most common are:

Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia can affect anyone at any age. It can develop on its own or after a
serious cold or flu. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus
pneumoniae. Bacterial pneumonia can also be caused by Chlamydophila
pneumonia or Legionella pneumophila. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is sometimes seen
in those who have weak immune systems due to illnesses like AIDS or cancer.

Viral Pneumonia
In most cases, respiratory viruses can cause pneumonia, especially in young children and the
elderly. Pneumonia is usually not serious and lasts a short time. However, the flu virus can
cause viral pneumonia to be severe or fatal. It’s especially harmful to pregnant women or
individuals with heart or lung issues. Invading bacteria can cause complications with viral
pneumonia.
 Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
-Cough (you may cough up greenish or yellow mucus, or even bloody
mucus)
-Fever, which may be mild or high
-Shaking chills
-Shortness of breath, which may only occur when you climb stairs
Additional symptoms include:
-Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply
or cough
-Headache
-Excessive sweating and clammy skin
-Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
-Confusion, especially in older people
-Wheezing
-Muscle aches
-Nausea
-Vomiting
-Rapid breathing
-Rapid heartbeat
What Causes Pneumonia?

-Bacteria
-Viruses
-Mycoplasmas
-Other infectious agents, such as fungi
-Various chemicals
What Are Risk Factors?
-Cigarette smoking
-Recent viral respiratory infection—a cold, laryngitis, influenza, etc.
-Difficulty swallowing (due to stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or
other neurological conditions)
-Chronic lung disease such as COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis
-Cerebral palsy
-Heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes
-Living in a nursing facility
-Loss of brain function due to dementia, stroke, or other neurologic
conditions
-Recent surgery or trauma
-Having a weakened immune system due to illness, certain medications,
and autoimmune disorders
 Diagnostic Tests/ Lab Tests

.Chest x ray to look for inflammation in your lungs..

.Blood tests.
.Blood culture
· Sputum test
· Chest computed tomography (CT) scan to see how much of your lungs is
affected by your condition. A CT scan shows more detail than a chest x ray.
· Pleural fluid culture. .
· Pulse oximetry. in your wrist. This test is called an arterial blood gas test.
· Bronchoscopy
After studying this condition, write a paragraph answering the following questions.
( See also Useful Phrases Document). Send the text to: juliancm@infomed.sld.cu

What is Pneumonia?
What are the main signs and symptoms?
Who is at risk of this condition?
How is it diagnosed?
What is the differential diagnosis?
What are the possible complications?
What does the treatment include?
What is the prognosis?
 Treatment / Management

The type of treatment prescribed for pneumonia mostly depends on what type
of pneumonia is present, as well as how severe it is. In many cases,
pneumonia can be treated at home.

Treating Bacterial Pneumonia

Antibiotics are used to treat this type of pneumonia. Antibiotics should be taken
as directed. If you stop taking the antibiotics before treatment is complete, the
pneumonia may return. Most people will improve after one to three days of
treatment.
Treating Viral Pneumonia
Antibiotics are useless if a virus is the cause of pneumonia. However, certain
antiviral drugs can help treat the condition. Symptoms usually clear within one
to three weeks.
 Complications

 Bacteremia and septic shock.

 Lung abscesses.

 Pleural effusions, empyema, and pleurisy.

 Renal failure
Useful phrases to give information about a medical condition

Concept
… is defined/known as…
.. is…

Classification
-The classification of …..includes….
… is classified into …
……is the classification of ..
-Signs and Symptoms
-The most common signs and symptoms of _____include…..
_____,_____,___and_____ are the most common signs and symptoms

Risk factors
-Risk factors for … include …
-People with … are at a higher risk for developing…
-In patients with a long history of … … is highly probable to suffer …
________, _______, and________ are the main risk factors for developing
______
 Diagnostic procedures/Exams and investigation/Lab tests

 The main diagnostic procedures/Exams and investigation/Lab tests for

HBP are/include: ________,_____-and_________.

 HBP can by diagnosed by ___________,_______,and________.

 ________, _________, ________ and________are the main diagnostic

procedures/Exams and investigation/Lab tests for HBP
 Differential diagnosis

 The possibility of __________should not be excluded.

 ___________ is a very likely/ highly probable/ diagnosis.

 __________ can cause pain of similar severity and radiation, but …

 _________ is ruled out in this case because …

 The differential diagnoses are/include __________ and __________.

Treatment/ management

 The treatment (for this condition) include……

 The treatment (for this condition) is based on ……

 _____________ is the best treatment for this condition…

 The treatment consists on_________

 Prognosis

 The prognosis is good / poor / guarded / bad / reserved.

 The prognosis is good if the patient follows the treatment.

Complication

 The complications of HBP are mainly …

 The most common complication(s) is/ are…

 Other complications associated with HBP include… …

 _________,________, and ________ are the most common

complication of HBP

 ….are well-recognized complications of the first episodes of

HBP
Bibliography
1. Abbot, G. The Teaching of English as an International Language: A Practical Guide. La
Habana: Editorial Revolucionaria; 1989.
2. Agnes, M. (Editor-in-chief) Webster‟s New World College Dictionary. 4th edition: New York:
Macmillan; 1999.
3. Ballinger, Ph. Merrill‟s Atlas of Radiographic Positions and Radiologic Procedures. 8th
Edition: Mosby; 1995.
4. Bates, B. Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 8th edition New York: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins; 2003.
5._______________. English through Medicine Two. Student´s Book. Editorial Ciencias
Médicas; 2007.

6._______________. English through Medicine Two. Teacher´s Book. Editorial Ciencias

Médicas; 2007.
7. Colectivo de Autores. English for Professional Nursing Communication. Student‟s Book. La
Habana: Editorial Ciencias Médicas; 2004.
8. _______________ English for Professional Nursing Communication. Teacher‟s Book. La
Habana: Editorial Ciencias Médicas; 2004.
Thanks!