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Pneumonia


With appropriate treatment, one can expect to get better in around one week to 10 days.

What is it?

Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Pneumonia is a serious condition in which fluid and/or pus get(s) into the alveoli, blocking them and preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. The lack of oxygen will make you breathless and starve your body’s organs of the oxygen they need to function properly. The extensive inflammation usually causes other symptoms as well, such as fever, chills, tiredness and chest pain.

Who suffers from pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a common disease, particularly in winter and spring due to the increased circulation of bacterial and viral respiratory infections that often occurs at those times of year. However, it can be fatal, particularly for people who are sick, very old or very young. Doctors estimate that up to 15 per cent of people who are hospitalised with pneumonia may die from it.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia is not a single illness — doctors estimate that there are at least 30 causes of pneumonia, some of which are more likely to be life-threatening than others. However, most pneumonias are caused by:

  • bacteria;
  • viruses;
  • mycoplasma (microscopic organisms like bacteria);
  • fungi;
  • accidentally breathing food into the lungs, e.g. when vomiting; or
  • inhaling liquid, chemicals or dust into the lungs.

In most cases, pneumonia starts after the infectious agent is inhaled into the lungs. However, sometimes the infection gets to the lungs by other means, carried there by the bloodstream or by being transported to the lungs from a nearby infection in the body. In many people who have pneumonia, the exact cause can’t be identified despite extensive testing.

Sometimes pneumonia can occur after a person remains immobile after surgery or an injury. Shallow breathing and not being able to cough properly may lead to mucus being retained in the lungs which makes a person more susceptible to bacterial infection. This is one reason that bedridden people are at a high risk of developing pneumonia.

Who is at risk?

While any person can catch pneumonia, some people may be more at risk than others. These include heavy drinkers or smokers and people who have chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with compromised immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, may contract a type of pneumonia known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which is caused by a type of microorganism. Often the appearance of this pneumonia is the first sign of AIDS developing in people infected with HIV.

Pneumococcal vaccination

A vaccine called Pneumovax is available in Australia that can help prevent pneumonia due to the pneumococcus bacterium (pneumococcal pneumonia). It is usually given to those most at risk such as the over-65s, people whose immune systems don’t function fully (immunocompromised), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 years of age, and people with chronic illness that would put them at high risk if they got pneumococcal pneumonia.

Another pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar) is recommended for all Australian children to prevent pneumonia and other pneumococcal infections.

Symptoms
The symptoms of pneumonia depend on the age of the person, the cause and severity of the infection, and any existing problems with immunity. Some of the symptoms may include:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Fever
  • General malaise
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Blue coloration of the skin around the mouth (cyanosis), caused by lack of oxygen.

A range of causes
Pneumonia can be triggered by a cold or bout of flu, which allows the germs to gain access to the alveoli. In approximately half of all cases, no cause is ever found. Some of the micro-organisms that can cause pneumonia include:

  • Bacteria – symptoms include rust or green-colored phlegm. Anyone of any age can be affected, but susceptible groups include babies, the elderly, alcoholics and people recovering from surgery or coping with other illnesses (such as lung disease).
  • Viruses – symptoms are similar to a severe bout of flu. It is thought that around 50 per cent of pneumonia cases are caused by viral infections.
  • Mycoplasma (a special kind of bacteria) – symptoms can include white phlegm, nausea and vomiting. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma organisms is generally mild, but recovery takes longer.

Things to remember