What is Pneumonia? Detailed Insights on Symptoms, Types, and Prevention

It started as a mild cough that Eli thought was just a persistent cold. After few days, he felt exhausted, his chest was hurting with every breath, and his fever would not go down. Worried, he booked an online appointment with a doctor through Cellmaflex, an online digital platform he came across through a social media post. During the visit, the doctor diagnosed Eli with pneumonia. Eli was shocked— he had heard of pneumonia before, but he never imagined it could hit so hard and so fast.

Read the blog to know what exactly pneumonia is, its types, symptoms, causes, risk factors and prevention.

Importance of Awareness and Understanding of Pneumonia

Understanding pneumonia is important because early diagnosis and treatment drastically improve outcomes. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but certain populations, such as the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions, are more vulnerable. Awareness leads to better prevention strategies, timely medical intervention, and reduced mortality rates.

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs which is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia causes the lung tissue to swell and might also cause fluid or pus in the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia, which often resolves on its own. Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. Pneumonia in both of your lungs is called bilateral or double pneumonia.

Types of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is categorised by which pathogen (virus, bacteria or fungi) caused it and how one got it.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
If one gets pneumonia outside of a healthcare facility, it’s called community-acquired pneumonia. Causes include:

• Bacteria: Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also known as pneumococcal disease, is the most common cause of CAP. Pneumococcal disease can also cause ear infections, sinus infections and meningitis.
• Viruses: Viruses that cause the common cold, the flu (influenza), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can sometimes lead to pneumonia.
• Fungi (molds): Fungi, like Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis jirovecii and Coccidioides, are uncommon causes of pneumonia. People with weak immune systems are mostly at risk of getting pneumonia from a fungus.
• Protozoa: Rarely, protozoa like Toxoplasma cause pneumonia.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)
One can get hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) while in a hospital or healthcare facility for another illness or procedure. HAP is usually more serious than community-acquired pneumonia as it is mostly caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This means HAP can make a person sicker and harder to treat.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)
A person can get HCAP while in a long-term care facility for example- a nursing home or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. Similar to hospital-acquired pneumonia, it is usually caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
If a person needs to be on a respirator or breathing machine to help breathe in the hospital (usually in the ICU), that person is at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The same types of bacteria as community-acquired pneumonia, as well as the drug-resistant kinds that cause hospital-acquired pneumonia, cause VAP.

Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration is when solid food, liquids, spit or vomit goes down the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs. If you can’t cough these up, your lungs can get infected.

What Causes Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can develop when the immune system attacks an infection in the small sacs of the lung (alveoli). This causes the lungs to swell and leak fluids.

Many bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause the infections that lead to pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause in adults and viruses are the most common cause in school-aged children. Common illnesses that can lead to pneumonia include:

• Common cold (rhinovirus)
• COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2)
• The flu (influenza virus)
• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)
• Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV)
• Legionnaires’ disease
  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Pneumococcal disease
• Mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria

What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumonia depend on the causes and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms of pneumonia can vary by age. Babies, young children and older adults may have different symptoms.

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia

• High fever (up to 105 F or 40.55 C)
• Cough with yellow, green or bloody mucus
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating or chills
• Chest pain and/or abdominal pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Bluish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis)
• Confusion or altered mental state

Symptoms of viral pneumonia

• Dry cough
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Extreme tiredness or weakness

Symptoms of pneumonia in young children

Newborn babies may not show any symptoms of pneumonia, or their symptoms may be different from adults, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• General discomfort
• Sweating/flushed skin
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Lack of energy

Signs to look for in babies and young children include

• Grunting sound with breathing or noisy breathing
• A decreased amount of pee or diapers that are less wet
• Pale skin
• Limpness
• Crying more than usual
• Difficulty feeding

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults over 65

Adults over 65 or those with weakened immune systems may have mild or less noticeable symptoms of pneumonia. Older adults may experience:

• They can feel weak or unsteady which increases the risk of falling
• They can be without a fever or have a body temperature that is lower than normal
• Older people can experience confusion or delirium
• They may have changes in functional status, which is the ability to perform daily activities
• They can experience urinary incontinence
• Older people can experience the lack of appetite
• They can experience a worsening of existing health conditions

Risk Factors for Developing Pneumonia

Several factors can increase the risk of developing pneumonia. Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are:

Children who are 2 years old or younger are at higher risk because their immune systems are still developing. This risk is higher for premature babies.

People who are age 65 or older are also at higher risk because their immune systems generally weaken as people age. Older adults are also more likely to have other chronic (long-term) health conditions that raise the risk of pneumonia.

Other risk factors include:

• Being hospitalized: A person is at greater risk of pneumonia if they are in a hospital intensive care unit, especially on a ventilator.
• Chronic disease: A person is more likely to get pneumonia if they have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease.
  Smoking: Smoking damages the body’s natural defences against the bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
• Weakened or suppressed immune system: People who have HIV/AIDS, who’ve had an organ transplant, or who receive chemotherapy, or long-term steroids are at risk.

What Tests Will be Done to Diagnose Pneumonia?

The healthcare provider may perform tests that look at the lungs for signs of infection, measure how well the lungs are working and examine blood or other body fluids to try to determine the cause of pneumonia. Tests include:

• Imaging: Healthcare provider can use chest X-ray or CT scan to take pictures of the lungs to look for signs of infection.
• Blood tests: Healthcare provider can use a blood test to help determine what kind of infection is causing pneumonia.
• Sputum test: You’re asked to cough and then spit into a container to collect a sample for a lab to examine. The lab will look for signs of an infection and try to determine what is causing it.
• Pulse oximetry: A sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the blood to give the healthcare provider an idea of how well the lungs are working.
• Pleural fluid culture: Healthcare provider uses a thin needle to take a sample of fluid from around the lungs. The sample is sent to a lab to help determine what’s causing the infection.
• Arterial blood gas test: The healthcare provider takes a blood sample from the wrist, arm or groin to measure oxygen levels in the blood to know how well the lungs are working.
• Bronchoscopy: In some cases, the healthcare provider may use a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope to look at the inside of the lungs. They may also take tissue or fluid samples to be tested in a lab.

Prevention

Preventing pneumonia involves a combination of vaccines, hygiene practices, and lifestyle changes:

Vaccination

• Pneumococcal vaccines for children and adults
• Influenza vaccine to prevent flu-related pneumonia

Other ways to reduce your risk of pneumonia
In addition to getting vaccinated, one can reduce the risk of getting and spreading pneumonia with some healthy habits:

• Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.
• Wash hands with soap and water before eating, before handling food and after using the restroom.
• Avoid close contact and sharing items with other people if either person has an infectious disease.
• If there is a stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility, don’t be afraid to ask the healthcare providers about how to reduce the risk of getting an infection during the stay.
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get enough rest.
• Get treated for any other infections or health conditions you may have. These conditions could weaken your immune system, which could increase your chance of pneumonia.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

How Cellmaflex Helps Patients

Cellmaflex is an all-in-one healthcare hub. Patients can sign up on Cellmaflex for free. Through Cellmaflex, they can search the directory to find the right specialist in a few clicks. Patients can easily view the doctors’ calendars and check their availability. With Cellmaflex, patients can book appointments with desired doctors with ease and receive appointment reminders.  

Patients can receive their test results directly, access the test results and health records anytime, anywhere. Patients can order prescriptions with secure online payments.  

Pneumonia is a significant health threat worldwide, but with awareness, understanding, and driven measures, its impact can be greatly reduced. Recognising the symptoms and understanding the types and risk factors are important steps toward early diagnosis and effective treatment. Emphasising prevention through vaccination, good hygiene, and healthy lifestyle choices can protect individuals and communities alike.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, early diagnosis and treatment is very important. Don’t hesitate—take control of your health today. Book an appointment on Cellmaflex and get the professional medical support you need to manage and overcome pneumonia.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information is strictly for informative purposes. It is not intended to be used in lieu of professional medical advice, inclusive of diagnosis or treatment. It is strongly advised that you seek a doctor’s medical advice on any treatment or medical condition that you learn about.