Pneumonia, What it is and How it is treated?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect one or both lungs. This pathology causes the inflammation of the alveoli, which are the air sacs located at the end of the bronchi in whose interior the gas exchange takes place between the air we inspire and the blood of our circulatory system.

There are many microorganisms capable of causing pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause, primarily Streptococcus pneumoniae , also known as pneumococcus. On the other hand, influenza viruses, chicken pox, measles or pertussis bacteria can cause pneumonia, which can also be caused by fungi, although this assumption is less frequent than the previous two.

In any case, pneumonia appears when the pathogens proliferate in the pulmonary cavities by inflaming them and filling them with pus or fluid, which leads to the symptoms of pneumonia and causes characteristic respiratory difficulties.

Children under two years and people over 65 are more susceptible to pneumonia, although it is a pathology that can occur at any age, especially in patients who already have other health problems, previous respiratory diseases or who are receiving aggressive treatments, such as immunosuppressants or chemotherapy.

Symptoms of pneumonia

In principle, typical pneumonia occurs as a cold or a conventional flu with fever, chills, productive cough, phlegm production ... that not only does not disappear, but also prolongs and worsens in the form of an increasingly high fever, pain in the chest when breathing or coughing, fatigue even at rest and malaise.

Some patients, especially the elderly, may experience disorientation or mental confusion. Also, although less frequently, some patients also suffer from digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Also, there are pneumonia called atypical precisely because the symptomatology is not usual. Patients suffering from this type of pneumonia have muscle aches, fever, tiredness, headache and joint discomfort. These pneumonias are milder and occur in younger and healthier people. They are produced by bacteria and viruses.

Pneumonia Diagnosis

Frequently, pneumonia is confused with a strong cold or bronchitis; However, the significance is completely different when it comes to pneumonia. This is a more serious disease; in fact, it causes between 9,000 and 10,000 deaths annually in Spain alone, and has a high risk of complications, so it is important to see a doctor when the symptoms do not improve or get too long over time.

Generally, pneumonia is diagnosed after auscultation in the office, followed by a chest x-ray. This imaging test serves to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the location and extent of the infection, as well as the existence of complications such as pleural effusion.

Depending on each patient and the severity of the clinical picture, the specialist may prescribe additional tests such as blood tests, blood and sputum cultures, bronchoscopy or drainage of pleural fluid.

Pneumonia Treatment

The treatment of this lung infection will depend on the pathogen that caused it. In this way, bacterial pneumonias are resolved with antibiotics and viral ones with antiviral drugs.

Depending on the severity of the pneumonia, the patient may be taking antibiotics for about a week and a month and a half. Sometimes, even hospital admission is required.

In any case, the establishment of treatment usually reverses the infection progressively until it disappears, a circumstance that is verified by performing new radiographs to verify that the alveoli are clean.

Subsequently, the patient will need between two and three weeks to feel well at all. However, pneumonia is not a banal disease and is not exempt from complications, so it is necessary to pay attention and consult with the specialist if some symptoms persist, even if it is mild.