Pneumonia Flashcards
Definition of Pneumonia
Classification of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the pulmonary parenchyma.
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is a serious infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.
Classification Of Pneumonia
— Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections (lobes) of the lungs.
— Bronchial pneumonia (also known as bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs.
— Community acquired pneumonia: In community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), you get infected in a community setting.
— Hospital acquired pneumonia: is defined as pneumonia that occurs 48 hours or more after hospital admission and not incubating at the admission time. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) represents a significant sub-set of HAP occurring in intensive care units (ICUs).
causes Of pneumonia?
- Bacterial pneumonia.
This type is caused by various bacteria.
The most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis etc - Viral Pneumonia
This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu (influenza virus 🦠 ), Adenovirus, Rhinovirus - Other infectious agents
Fungi, - Mycoplasma pneumonia.
This type has somewhat different symptoms and physical signs and is referred to as atypical pneumonia.
It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
It generally causes a mild, widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups.
Risk Factors for Pneumonia
Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the following groups are at the highest risk:
Adults ages 65 and older
Children younger than age 2
People with certain medical conditions: (diabetes, heart failure, sickle cell disease, or liver or kidney disease, )
(Lung diseases, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or COPD,)
People that smoke
Pollution
Malnutrition
Signs and symptoms
Headache 🤕
Fever
Chills
Cyanosis
Cough with Sputum production
Dyspnea
Increased breathing 😮💨
Chest pain
Fatigue and muscle aches
Nausea, vomiting 🤮 and diarrhea 💩.
Chest X-ray for pneumonia— watch videos and view pictures of
Lober pneumonia
Bronchopneumonia
Lober pneumonia— consolidation confined to one or lobes ( or segments of lobes) of lungs 🫁
Bronchopneumonia— patchy consolidations usually in bases of both lungs 🫁
Complications
- Lung 🫁 abscess: These are pockets of pus that form inside or around the lung. They may need to be drained with surgery
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a severe form of respiratory failure.
- Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.
- Sepsis. This is when the infection gets into the blood. It may lead to organ failure.
Note 📝 Key points about pneumonia
Key points about pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia.
A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia. Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness.
Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough history and physical exam. Tests used to look at the lungs, blood tests, and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used.
Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. It may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias don’t have a specific treatment and just get better on their own. Other treatment may include a healthy diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, cough, and fever control.
Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can cause serious lung and infection problems. It can even be deadly.
Diagnosis
Chest X-ray. This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
Blood tests. This test may be used to see whether infection is present and if infection has spread to the bloodstream (blood cultures). Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
Sputum culture. This test is done on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth. It’s often used to see if there’s an infection in the lungs.
Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot.
Chest CT scan. This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce sharp, detailed horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than regular X-rays.
Bronchoscopy. This is direct exam of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs) using a flexible tube (called a bronchoscope). It helps to evaluate and diagnose lung problems, assess blockages, and take out samples of tissue and/or fluid for testing,
Pleural fluid culture. In this test, a sample of a fluid sample is taken from the pleural space. This is the space between the lungs and chest wall. A long, thin needle is put through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space. Fluid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle. It is sent to the lab where it’s tested to find out which bacteria is causing the pneumonia.
Treatment
Preventions
How is pneumonia treated?
Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias don’t have specific treatment. They usually get better on their own.
Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain medicine, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medicine if cough is severe.
Can pneumonia be prevented?
Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia. Because of that, getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia.
There is also a pneumococcal vaccine. It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot.
The pneumococcal shot is also recommended for all children and adults who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.
