Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes fluid to fill the lung's tiny air sacs. As a result, less oxygen is delivered to the blood, putting an enormous strain on the heart and lungs. The outlook is usually good for people with normal lungs and good body defenses. However, pneumonia often strikes people who are already ill or elderly. It is, in fact, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Pneumonia is more common in infants, the elderly, and in those who have low immunity to infection. The elderly do not always have symptoms such as a fever or cough when they have pneumonia. A change in their usual activities, functioning, or mental status (confusion) may be the only sign.

Risk factors for getting pneumonia include:

• smoking
• chronic health conditions (such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and tuberculosis)
• living in crowded or unsanitary conditions
• alcoholism
• poor nutrition
• immunosuppression due to illness or drugs and
• recent surgery

The infection can be caused by various agents, including bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites. A minor cold or flu may occur first. Germs then begin to grow in the trapped secretions in the lungs.

The main symptoms are coughing, chest pain, shaking chills, fever, and the production of phlegm or sputum that may be discolored or even contain some blood. Symptoms include:

• fever and shaking chills
• coughing which may bring up yellow, green, rust-colored, or bloody mucus
• pain in the chest when breathing or coughing
• shortness of breath
• rapid and shallow breathing
• fatigue
• sweating and flushed color of skin and
• loss of appetite or upset stomach

If pneumonia is suspected, contact your healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment. If a virus is the cause of pneumonia, oral antiviral agents can reduce the severity of symptoms if started within 48 hours after symptoms appear.

To diagnose pneumonia, the provider may request a chest x-ray and blood tests. A culture of coughed up sputum may also be done to identify the specific cause. Pneumonia is treated with rest, fever- reducing medication, plenty of fluids, and good nutrition. Bacterial pneumonia cases are treated with antibiotics.

Medication cautions:

1. Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or aspirin-containing products to anyone age 18 years or younger because of the risk of a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
2. Acetaminophen should not be taken by anyone with known liver or kidney disease. Do not drink alcohol when taking more than 1 dose of acetaminophen.
3. Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with food or milk to prevent stomach irritation. Do not give NSAIDs to anyone with asthma or increased risk of bleeding (such as, ulcer disease, following surgery, significant trauma, major dental work, if taking blood thinners [anticoagulants] or have a known bleeding disorder).

Recovery time depends on the person's general health and the degree of infection. During recovery the person should not smoke or drink alcohol. In serious cases, supplemental oxygen and breathing treatments may prove helpful. Caretakers should carefully dispose of fluids from sneezing, coughing, or spitting. Use tissues instead of a handkerchief to collect the sputum that is coughed up. The tissues can be collected and disposed of in a plastic bag.

Pneumococcal pneumonia, one type of pneumonia, may be prevented by a vaccine. One shot provides lifelong protection for anyone receiving it. People who are 65 or older should get this shot. Patients with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses, or those without a spleen are also candidates for this shot. Chronically ill, frail elderly patients may need to be re-evaluated at 5 years or sooner for supplemental doses of the vaccine.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File RESP4935.rf2 VRS# 4935 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.