Pneumonia, as it is called in medicine; is an inflammation of the lung tissue. It is the name given to lung infection caused by different microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi.
What are the Types of Pneumonia?
Types of pneumonia can be clinically classified as follows:
- Bacterial pneumonia: The causative agents are bacteria (eg S. Pneumonia)
- Viral pneumonia: It is usually seen after severe flu. The viruses adhere to the upper respiratory tract mucosa and the lungs descend over time. Usually in the elderly; those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease; It is defined as “turned into pneumonia” after severe flu in people with malnutrition and low immune resistance. The most dangerous is Aspergillus pneumonia.
- Aspiration pneumonia: In the chest cavity, the trachea and esophagus are located anteriorly and posteriorly. With each bite or liquid intake, the pharynx closes and the food enters the esophagus. Aspiration is a clinical picture that occurs as a result of food escaping into the trachea at the level of the pharynx during the passage to the stomach. The respiratory tract stimulates the cough reflex to expel food items.
Is Pneumonia Contagious?
Pneumonia caused by microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria is contagious. It is often transmitted as a result of the spread of respiratory secretions to the environment. During sneezing and coughing, invisible microorganisms are scattered around. Again, these secretions are transmitted to all common surfaces, items such as towels and cutlery through hands contaminated with these secretions. Since microorganisms can survive on these surfaces for a while, other users can also be infected.
Who is at Risk for Pneumonia?
Pneumonia; It is more common especially in children, the elderly over 65 years of age, those with a chronic disease (such as kidney, diabetes, heart or lung disease), smokers, and the presence of a disease or medication that suppresses the immune system.
Pneumonia (pneumonia) ) is a serious disease that needs to be treated.
Today, antibiotics are widely used. Despite the decrease in deaths from infectious diseases due to the use of the medicine and effective vaccination policies, unfortunately, pneumonia still occurs very frequently and causes losses. and it reaches 40% in patients who require care support. In our country, lower respiratory tract infections are ranked between 4.2% and 5th among the causes of death. It has been shown that the rate is significantly higher in cases of pneumonia (10.3-60%).
What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?
Symptoms seen at the onset of pneumonia:
- Fever rising with chills and chills,
- cough,
- dark sputum in yellow green or rust color,
- complaints of side pains and shortness of breath while breathing if the lung membrane is involved It is among the first signs of typical pneumonia.
- fever,
- cough,
- sputum production,
- chest pain ,
- shortness of breath,
- loss of consciousness,
- nausea-vomiting,
- frequent breathing,
- muscle-joint pains
- weakness.
Sometimes, different diseases such as lung cancer can give symptoms such as pneumonia. Sometimes pneumonia may not be due to microbes. The distinction of these conditions should be made by a Chest Diseases specialist.
How to Diagnose Pneumonia (Pneumonia)?
After the patients presenting with pneumonia symptoms are examined, the diagnosis is usually made by taking chest radiographs. In severe cases of pneumonia and patients requiring hospitalization, further investigations such as blood tests, computed tomography and sputum tests may be required. The sputum sample should be examined to determine the microbe that causes pneumonia. However, it is often not possible to identify the microbe for various reasons.
How to Treat Pneumonia?
Generally, in the treatment of pneumonia; antibiotics, plenty of fluid intake, rest, painkillers and antipyretics are used.
Different treatments may be required in patients who need to be hospitalized. In very severe cases of pneumonia, hospitalization in the intensive care unit and respiratory support may be required.
Detection of the microbe that causes pneumonia is often not possible. However, antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible after the diagnosis of pneumonia. For this reason, antibiotic treatment is started by considering the patient's age, chronic diseases, and severity of pneumonia. It is generally recommended to continue antibiotics for 5-7 days after the fever subsides. However, in cases of pneumonia due to some microbe types, it may be necessary to extend the treatment period to 10-14 days, sometimes up to 21 days.
Pneumonia is a disease of sudden onset and usually heals quickly with treatment. One or two weeks after the start of treatment, the physician examines the patient and makes the necessary tests. Sometimes, the duration of treatment may be extended or additional examinations may be required.
If you have been diagnosed with pneumonia, your treatment has started, and your fever has not decreased even though 72 hours have passed after the start of your treatment, your cough and sputum production has not decreased, you should see your doctor again.
Pneumonia What Precautions Can Be Taken to Avoid Caught (Pneumonia)?
The frequency and mortality rate of pneumonia can be reduced by controlling underlying chronic diseases, a balanced diet, hygienic measures, control of smoking and alcohol habits, pneumococcal and annual influenza vaccinations. Active or passive smoking is an independent risk factor for pneumonia.
Is Pneumococcal Vaccine Helpful?
Pneumococci are the most common cause of pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia vaccine) against pneumococci is recommended in the following cases.
Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for people:
- People aged 65 and over,
- People with chronic diseases (COPD, bronchiectasis, cardiovascular, kidney, those with liver and diabetes),
- Pneumonectomy (a Those who have undergone surgical removal of the liver,
- Chronic alcohol users,
- People with spleen disorder or removal of the spleen,
- Those who have immunodeficiency and those who take immunosuppressive treatment ,
- Those who have cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
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