What is Pneumonia? Its symptoms, causes, & treatment:
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and fever.
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, entering the lungs through inhalation, infecting the air sacs, and leading to inflammation.
Causes of Pneumonia:
Common symptoms include coughing (with or without mucus), fever, chills, shortness of breath, and sharp chest pain when breathing or coughing.
Symptoms of Pneumonia:
Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions are at higher risk of developing severe pneumonia.
Who Is at Risk?
Doctors diagnose pneumonia through physical exams, chest X-rays, and tests like blood cultures or sputum samples to identify the cause.
Diagnosing Pneumonia:
Treatment depends on the cause but may include antibiotics for bacterial infections, antivirals for viral pneumonia, or antifungal medication.
Treating Pneumonia:
Severe pneumonia can lead to complications like pleurisy, lung abscesses, or respiratory failure, requiring hospitalization.
Complications
Vaccines, regular hand washing, and avoiding smoking can reduce the risk of pneumonia, especially in vulnerable populations.
Preventing Pneumonia:
With proper treatment, most people recover from pneumonia within weeks, but fatigue and coughing may last longer.
Recovery from Pneumonia:
Seek medical attention if pneumonia symptoms worsen, especially if there is persistent fever, difficulty breathing, or worsening chest pain.
Seek Medical Help