Pneumonia is common among people of all ages. Dr Samir Garde busts myths related to the disease and tells you symptoms to look out for

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It causes the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs to get inflamed (irritated and swollen). They may fill up with fluid or pus. This causes a variety of symptoms, which range from mild to severe. Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. It also can be caused by fungi or irritants that you breathe into your lungs. How serious pneumonia is depends on many factors. These include what caused the pneumonia, your age, and your overall health.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. This depends on your risk factors and the type of pneumonia you have. Common symptoms are similar to the symptoms caused by a cold or the flu. They include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Bringing up mucus when you cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Chest pain

You may also sweat, have a headache, and feel very tired. Some people also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Myths

• It can always be treated with antibiotics
• Elderly people are the only ones required to receive vaccinations
• Healthy people can’t get pneumonia
• An individual with pneumonia must be hospitalised

Facts

• With many possible causes for pneumonia, treatment could include more than just antibiotics
• People age 65 and older are at a higher risk, but anyone can catch pneumonia at any age and therefore should consider getting vaccinated
• People who are considered healthy have a lower risk, but could still catch pneumonia
• If the condition is less severe, treatment may not include hospitalisation

Causes

Bacterial: This is the commonest cause of pneumonia. There is a wide range of bacteria that can infection of the lungs - in children as well as adults

Viral: Nowadays due to COVID 19; everyone seems to have got alerted about viral pneumonia. Viral infections are rather common in children and there are dozens of viruses that cause infection of the lungs. Influenza related pneumonia are common in adults and various other viruses can cause lung infection in adults where immunity is compromised.  COVID-19 related inflammation is not a pneumonia in true sense; its more of inflammatory condition of the lungs — the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this article.

Fungal: Happens in immunocompromised individuals. People who are suffering from Diabetes; chronic kidney disease; those having HIV/AIDS; or those who are on medicines that compromise the immunity; especially after organ transplant etc are immunocompromised people.

Tuberculous infections: Infection caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (popularly known as TB) is the biggest menace in front of our country and needs to be tackled on war footing. There are other bacteria from the Mycobacterium family that can cause lung infections.

Aspiration pneumonia: When one ends up aspirating contents of the stomach into the lungs via; breathing pipe — one gets — chemical pneumonitis.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

When a person reaches a doctor/hospital with above mentioned symptoms and after clinical examination pneumonia is suspected; Xray of the chest is done to diagnose pneumonia. At times a CT scan of the chest is necessary to see the extent of the infection. Sending sputum for culture test helps in deciding the causative factor of pneumonia.

How is it treated?

As discussed above; depending on the Causative agent (Bacterial/viral/TB etc); and patient’s condition (stable or critical) medicines are prescribed to be taken orally (at home) or Intravenously (in the hospital).Patients also need supportive care in the form of hydration; control of Diabetes; vitamin supplements etc.

The writer is Consultant Respiratory Medicine, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre 

Turn to breathing exercises

Like people say, prevention is better than cure. So is the case with pneumonia. Here are a few tips that can help.

• Having good immunity is the single most important factor in prevention of pneumonia.
• Healthy lifestyle — a good breakfast; two square meals per day, having fresh fruit everyday; regular exercise with deep breathing exercises; adequate sleep are of utmost importance to maintain good immunity.
• People with Diabetes; renal conditions; those on chemotherapy should take regular guidance of their treating physician; to keep their conditions under control.
• Avoiding smoking.                    
• Taking influenza and Pneumococcal vaccines as per the advice of regular doctor/chest physician.