| Pneumonia (pronounced: noo-mow-nyuh) is an | | | | receive a pneumococcal vaccination. |
| infection of the lungs. When someone has | | | | People with immune system problems also may |
| pneumonia, lung tissue can fill with pus and other | | | | receive antibiotics to prevent pneumonia that can |
| fluid, which makes it difficult for oxygen in the | | | | be caused by organisms they're especially |
| lung's air sacs to reach the bloodstream. With | | | | susceptible to. In some cases, antiviral medication |
| pneumonia, a person may have difficulty breathing | | | | might be used to prevent viral pneumonia or to |
| and have a cough and fever; occasionally, chest | | | | lessen its effects. |
| or abdominal pain and vomiting are symptoms, | | | | |
| too. | | | | Flu vaccination is also recommended since |
| Pneumonia is commonly caused by viruses, such | | | | pneumonia often occurs as a complication of the |
| as the influenza virus (flu) and adenovirus. | | | | flu. In addition to the standard flu vaccine, the |
| Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) can also become a | | | | newer H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine is also |
| significant cause of pneumonia. Other viruses, such | | | | recommended. You can contact your doctor's |
| as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are common | | | | office to see when these vaccines are available. |
| causes of pneumonia in young children and infants. | | | | Because pneumonia is often caused by contagious |
| Bacteria such asStreptococcus pneumoniae can | | | | germs, a good way to prevent it is to keep your |
| cause pneumonia, too. People with bacterial | | | | distance from anyone you know who has |
| pneumonia are usually sicker than those with viral | | | | pneumonia or other respiratory infections. Use |
| pneumonia, but can be effectively treated with | | | | separate drinking glasses and eating utensils; wash |
| antibiotic medications. | | | | your hands frequently with warm, soapy water; |
| You may have heard the terms "double | | | | and avoid touching used tissues and paper towels. |
| pneumonia" or "walking pneumonia." Double | | | | You also can stay strong and help avoid some of |
| pneumonia simply means that the infection is in | | | | the illnesses that might lead to pneumonia by |
| both lungs. It's common for pneumonia to affect | | | | eating as healthily as possible, getting a minimum |
| both lungs, so don't worry if your doctor says | | | | of 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night, and avoiding |
| this is what you have — it doesn't mean you're | | | | smoking. |
| twice as sick. | | | | How Is Pneumonia Treated? |
| Walking pneumonia refers to pneumonia that is | | | | If a doctor suspects pneumonia, he or she will |
| mild enough that you may not even know you | | | | perform a physical exam and might order a chest |
| have it. Walking pneumonia, which has also been | | | | X-ray and blood tests. People with bacterial or |
| called atypical pneumonia because it's different | | | | atypical pneumonia will probably be given |
| from the typical bacterial pneumonia, is common | | | | antibiotics to take at home. A doctor also will |
| in teens and is often caused by a tiny | | | | recommend getting lots of rest and drinking |
| microorganism known as Mycoplasma | | | | plenty of fluids. |
| pneumoniae. Like the typical bacterial pneumonia, | | | | Some people with pneumonia need to be |
| walking pneumonia also can be treated with | | | | hospitalized to get better — usually babies, |
| antibiotics. | | | | young kids, and people older than 65. However, |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | hospital care may be needed for a teen who: |
| There are many symptoms of pneumonia, and | | | | - already has immune system problems |
| some of them, like a cough or a sore throat, are | | | | - has cystic fibrosis |
| associated with many other common infections. | | | | - is dangerously dehydrated or is vomiting a lot |
| Often, people get pneumonia after they've had an | | | | and can't keep fluids and medicine down |
| upper respiratory tract infection like a cold. | | | | - has had pneumonia frequently |
| Symptoms of pneumonia can include: | | | | - has skin that's blue or pale in color, which |
| - fever | | | | reflects a lack of oxygen |
| - chills | | | | When pneumonia patients are hospitalized, |
| - cough | | | | treatment might include intravenous (IV) |
| - unusually rapid breathing | | | | antibiotics (delivered through a needle inserted into |
| - wheezing | | | | a vein) and respiratory therapy (breathing |
| - difficulty breathing | | | | treatments). |
| - chest or abdominal pain | | | | Antiviral medications approved for adults and |
| - loss of appetite | | | | teens can reduce the severity of flu infections if |
| - exhaustion | | | | taken in the first 1 to 2 days after symptoms |
| - vomiting | | | | begin. They're usually prescribed for teens who |
| The symptoms of pneumonia vary from person | | | | have certain underlying illnesses such as asthma |
| to person, and few people get all of them. | | | | or who have pneumonia or breathing difficulty. If |
| When pneumonia is caused by bacteria, the | | | | you have been exposed to either type of |
| person tends to become sick quickly and develops | | | | influenza and you begin to develop symptoms of |
| a high fever and has difficulty breathing. When it's | | | | pneumonia, call a doctor. |
| caused by a virus, symptoms generally appear | | | | How Can We Feel Better? |
| more gradually and may be less severe. | | | | If your doctor has prescribed medicine, be sure |
| A person's symptoms can help the doctor identify | | | | to follow the directions carefully. |
| the type of pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, | | | | You may feel better in a room with a humidifier, |
| for example, often causes headaches and sore | | | | which increases the moisture in the air and |
| throats in addition to the symptoms listed above. | | | | soothes irritated lungs. Make sure you drink plenty |
| How Can We Prevent Pneumonia? | | | | of fluids, especially if you have a fever. If you |
| The routine vaccinations that most people receive | | | | have a fever and feel uncomfortable, ask the |
| as kids help prevent certain types of pneumonia | | | | doctor whether you can take over-the-counter |
| and other infections. If you have a chronic illness, | | | | medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to |
| such as sickle cell disease, you may have received | | | | bring it down. But don't take any medicine without |
| additional vaccinations and disease-preventing | | | | checking first with your doctor — a cough |
| antibiotics to help prevent pneumonia and other | | | | suppressant, for example, may not allow your |
| infections caused by bacteria. People who have | | | | lungs to clear themselves of mucus. |
| diseases that affect their immune system (like | | | | And finally, be sure to rest. This is a good time to |
| diabetes, HIV infection, or cancer), are 65 or | | | | sleep, watch TV, read, and lay low. |
| older, or are in other high-risk groups should | | | | |