Pronounced: Noo-MO-NEE-yah
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It affects the lower respiratory tract. This includes small bronchi (airways) and air sacs in the lungs.
There are three main causes:
Other causes of pneumonia include:
Pneumonias are sometimes described by where it was acquired and how you were exposed to it:
Factors that increase your chance of pneumonia include:
Symptoms of pneumonia may include some or all of the following:
Bacterial Pneumonia | Viral Pneumonia | Atypical Pneumonia |
---|---|---|
Fever | Fever | Fever, often low-grade |
Shaking chills | Chills | Chills |
Cough that produces green, yellow, or rust-colored mucus | Dry cough | Coughing; may be violent at times; produces white mucus |
Chest pain | Headache | Possible nausea or vomiting |
Profuse sweating | Muscle pain | Weakness |
Bluish color of the nails or lips due to diminished oxygen in the blood | Bluish color of the nails or lips due to diminished oxygen in the blood | |
Confused mental state | Weakness |
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and listening to your chest. Tests may include:
Treatment of pneumonia depends on:
Common methods of treatment include:
It is very important to take the medicine as prescribed. Stopping medicine early may cause a relapse. It may also create a strain of drug resistant bacteria.
If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, follow your doctor's instructions .
Certain vaccines may prevent pneumonia:
Other preventive measures include:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.familydoctor.org/
American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Lung Association
http://www.lung.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
Blasi F, Aliberti S, Pappalettera M, Tarsia P. 100 years of respiratory medicine: pneumonia. Respir Med . 2007 Mar 21; [Epub ahead of print].
Braunwald E, Harrison TR, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 15 th ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill; 2001.
Carpenter CC, Andreoli TE, Griggs RC. Cecil Essentials of Medicine . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Science; 2003.
Fleming CA, Balaguera HU, Craven DE. Risk factors for nosocomial pneumonia. Focus on prophylaxis. Med Clin North Am . 2001 Nov;85(6):1545-63. Review.
Niederman MS. Review of treatment guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia. Am J Med . 2004 Aug 2;117 Suppl 3A:51S-57S. Review.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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