Chest And Lungs

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on pneumonia. American Lung Association  Phone: (800) 586-4872 http://www.lungusa.org Offices and website for American Lung Association. The website includes information on pneumonia and other lung-related diseases, including consumer-related information. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute Information Center  Phone: (301) 251-1222 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm This division of the

Pneumonia is an inflammation or infection of the lungs most commonly caused by a bacteria or virus. Pneumonia can also be caused by inhaling vomit or other foreign substances. In all cases, the lungs’ air sacs fill with pus , mucous, and other liquids and cannot function properly. This means oxygen cannot reach the blood and the cells

There are about 30 different causes of pneumonia. However, they all fall into one of these categories: Infective pneumonia: Inflammation and infection of the lungs and bronchial tubes that occurs when a bacteria (bacterial pneumonia) or virus (viral pneumonia) gets into the lungs and starts to reproduce. Aspiration pneumonia: An inflammation of the lungs and

A doctor who suspects pneumonia begins by taking a thorough medical history and performing a physical examination. Bacterial pneumonias often come on suddenly; creating a cough that produces mucous that is often colored or “rusty”, fever, and pain along the chest wall. Infections caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae species of bacteria and viruses tend to develop more

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the pneumonia. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia but are ineffective against viral pneumonia. Treating Infective Pneumonia Although the treatment for infective pneumonia depends on the cause of the condition, some simple steps can help speed recovery from pneumonia: Medications should be taken exactly as prescribed

Some forms of bacterial pneumonia can be prevented with a vaccine (pneumococcal vaccine). The vaccine does not protect against most types of viral pneumonia or the pneumonia that people with low immunity tend to develop. In most people, vaccination is needed only once in a lifetime. However, others, including those people at highest risk for serious disease,

Some groups of people are more susceptible to pneumonia. The elderly, infants, and young children are at highest risk. Elderly people tend to have diminished cough and gag reflexes and weaker immune systems. The immature immune systems and narrow airways of infants and young children make them more likely to develop pneumonia. Another susceptible group