Pneumonia

Stages of pneumonia can be classified in the following ways:

• Bronchopneumonia- Affects areas throughout both the lungs
• Lobar pneumonia- Affects one or more lungs lobes and has four stages which are congestion, red hepatisation, grey hepatisation, and resolution

Symptoms of pneumonia can be mild and usually involves flu or cold. Other pneumonia symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Sweating
• Shaking chills
• Low body temperature than normal
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion or mental awareness changes
• Cough, producing phlegm

Here is different pneumonia causes:

• Bacteria- It is the most common cause and one of the types of pneumonia also. It occurs on its own after the patient experiences a cold or flu. It normally affects the lung and is called lobar pneumonia
• Bacteria-like organisms- It has mild symptoms and mycoplasma pneumonia is the primary reason. In this pneumonia, a patient requires bed rest
• Fungi- It is very common and people with weak immune systems experience fungi pneumonia. It is usually found in soil or bird droppings and differs according to geographical location.
• Virus- Viruses like Covid-19 and respiratory viruses cause this and is among primary pneumonia causes. It causes colds, and flu and is most common among children who are younger than five years. It is usually mild, however, in certain cases can be severe. It mostly applies to covid-19 virus.

If pneumonia is left untreated, here are some complications that can be experienced by a patient:

• Worsened chronic conditions
• Lung abscesses
• Pleural effusion
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Kidney, heart, and liver damage
• Bacteremia
• Death

The healthcare expert begins pneumonia diagnosis involves understanding the patient’s medical history and family history. First, the doctor will perform a physical evaluation which includes listening to the patient's lungs with a stethoscope to hear abnormal sounds like crackling. Depending on the symptoms and condition of the patient including complications, a doctor might order the following tests:

• Chest X-ray
• Blood culture
• Sputum culture
• Pulse oximetry
• CT scan
• Fluid sample
• Bronchoscopy

Pneumonia treatment involves reducing the symptoms of infection and preventing complications. There is a specific treatment depending on the type and pneumonia severity. Here are some of the options for pneumonia treatment:

• Antibiotics- They are given mainly to treat bacterial pneumonia, however, it requires time to identify the type causing pneumonia. It helps the doctor to recommend the best antibiotics.
• Cough medicine- Since pneumonia causes excessive cough, medicine is recommended to calm the cough so that the patient can rest. The cough helps in moving the fluid from the lungs, so the doctor also suggests not eliminating it entirely.
• Pain Relievers-Pneumonia causes fever and discomfort. So, to reduce the discomfort and pain, a doctor might recommend drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen
• Hospitalisation- It is required for people with severe pneumonia who are older than 65, confused, have a decline in kidney function, have fast breathing, temperature that is below normal, and heart rate is below 50 or above 100
• Home remedies- Pneumonia cannot be treated at home, however, if the symptoms are mild, doctors usually recommend getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking medication as prescribed

Rukmani Birla Hospital is one of the best multispecialty healthcare services in Jaipur. We are well-resourced with advanced and latest medical services offering incomparable patient care. We have accommodated a team of highly expert and practised professional doctors including other staff members in our hospital. Our doctor ensures diagnosing the condition first so that suitable treatment is given to the patient. If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, then consult our healthcare now. You will be given the best treatment under the surveillance of our experts.