Symptoms And Treatment Of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is classified according to the organism causing the infection and where the infection was acquired. Community-acquired pneumonia is contracted by individuals with minimal contact with health care facilities – such as a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility – and contract the infection by people in the wider community (MedlinePlus, 2016). Hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator assisted pneumonia, can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria and other organisms that can originate from the health care environment (Oxford Journals, 2016). Pneumonia that develops whilst an individual is in hospital, can be extremely severe and is more likely to be fatal. This is due to the fact, that individuals within a health care setting, often already have a serious illness, causing a weakened immune system. Also, the types of bacteria present in hospitals, are often more dangerous and resistant to treatment – then the bacteria found in the outside community (MedlinePlus, 2016). Aspiration pneumonia – or anaerobic pneumonia - results after the inhalation of a foreign matter into the lungs. If foods, liquids, saliva, or vomit make their way into the airways or lungs, instead of the oesophagus and stomach, it can cause aspiration pneumonia. It is more likely in individuals with a disturbed gag reflex – commonly due to having a brain injury or being under the influence of drugs or anaesthetics (MedlinePlus,

* Pneumonia is refers to an infection in the lungs that causes swelling in the lungs tissue and this inflammation

This paper explores Pneumonia and the respiratory disease process associated with bacterial and viral pathogens most commonly located in the lung. The paper examines the process, symptoms and treatments most commonly viewed in patient cases of Pneumonia. My goal is to educate the reader and to warn of the

Pneumonia is a disease that affects the respiratory system. Specifically, it is an inflammation of the lungs that can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Microscopic sacs in the lungs (Alveoli) become inflamed and fill up with fluid, which causes symptoms such as cough, fever, chills and trouble breathing. It is a lung disease that kills thousands every year and hospitalizes many more. Pneumonia is more serious and can be deadly for infants and elderly. This disease has personally affected me when my son was hospitalized with it for 5 days. He was only 10 months old at the time and was admitted with diagnosis of Pneumonia, low oxygen and dehydration.

Pneumonia is described in Tabers cyclopedia medical dictionary, “as inflammation of the lungs, usually due to an infection with bacteria, viruses, or other pathogenic organisms” (p.1833)

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung which results into an excess of fluid or pus accumulating into the alveoli of the lung. Pneumonia impairs gas exchange which leads to hypoxemia and is acquire by inhaling a contagious organism or an irritating agent. (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013). Fungal, bacteria and viruses are the most common organisms that can be inhale. Pneumonia could be community-acquired or health care associated. Community –acquired pneumonia (CAP) occurs out of a healthcare facility while health care associated pneumonia (HAP) is acquired in a healthcare facility. HAP are more resistant to antibiotic and patients on ventilators and those receiving kidney dialysis have a higher risk factor. Infants, children and the elderly also have a higher risk of acquiring pneumonia due to their immune system inability to fight the virus. Pneumonia can also be classified as aspiration pneumonia if it arises by inhaling saliva, vomit, food or drink into the lungs. Patients with abnormal gag reflex, dysphagia, brain injury, and are abusing drug or alcohol have a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia (Mayo Clinic, 2013). In the case of patient E.O., this patient had rhonchi in the lower lobe and the upper lobe sound was coarse and diminished. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include difficulty breathing, chest pain, wheezing, fever, headache, chills, cough, confusion, pain in muscle or

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium pathogen that needs a host in order to survive, which are usually humans (Donkor, 2013). The bacteria is the cause of diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and corneal ulcers. Some of the diseases S. pneumoniae causes are extremely harmful to humans and can even cause death in some cases (Mathos, Ferri, Figueiredo, Zangirolami, & Gonçalves, 2015). Humans, who already have a S. pneumoniae disease or have the bacteria simply in the upper part of the pharynx, transfers the bacteria through air particles, known as aerosols (Donkor, 2013; Lawrence, S. L. et al., 2015). In well populated areas or places, like schools, colleges, workplaces, S. pneumoniae is able to infect many humans

Streptococcus pneumoniae is found worldwide. The common host is the human body, in which it often does not cause disease but at other times it can cause diseses in particular, pneumonia. It also causes otitis media, bacteremia, meningitis, peritonitis, and sinusitis. The route by which this organism is spread is from human to human in the form of aerosol droplets. When inside the host the organism’s primary site of pneumococcal colonization is the nasopharynx. From this site it can aspire to the lungs, eventually spread to the blood and traverse the blood-brain barrier to the meninges, once inside the blood it can cause infections throughout the body. Symptoms of the disease include sudden

Your physician will diagnose pneumonia based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results. Your doctor will listen to your lung sounds and if you have pneumonia your lungs may have a crackling or rumbling sound when you inhale. Wheezing may also, be heard. Then he/she may obtain a CXR to determine inflammation in your lungs. A complete blood count is ordered to see if your immune system is fighting an infection. Also, blood cultures are ordered to find out whether you have a bacterial infection that has spread to your bloodstream, then your MD can determine how to treat the infection. There are many different types of pneumonia. Pneumonia is named for the way in which a person gets the infection or the germ that can cause the infection. There is community-acquired which is the most common type of pneumonia. These cases occur during winter months and occurs outside of the hospital. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is more serious than community-acquired pneumonia because hospitals carry more germs that are resistant to antibiotics. Atypical pneumonia is a type of community-acquired pneumonia being that it is caused by lung infections that include bacteria like Legionella pneumophila and Mycoplasma. (Sept,2016).The type of pneumonia you have and how severe the pneumonia you have determines the treatment. Antibiotics are the norm for treatment of bacterial pneumonia. Most begin to improve after one to three days of antibiotic treatment. If there is viral pneumonia, antibiotics will not work. Antiviral medications will need to be initiated. One to three weeks is the duration of treatment. Vaccines are available to prevent pneumonia caused by the flu virus and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that "adults who are sixty-five and older should have two pneumococcal vaccinations. It is usually given between September through November which is called the flu

Pneumonia is an illness of the lower respiratory tract in which the lungs become inflamed and congested and alveolar spaces are filled with fluid and cells-polymorphs and lymphocytes (Mandell L.A). It is an inflammatory condition of the lung and it is one of the most serious infections, causing two million deaths annually among the young and elderly. Pneumonia is the largest killer, accounting for 28% to 34% of all child deaths below five years of age in low-income countries and is an important cause of mortality in the elderly in high-income countries (Suárez).

Pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death in children and the fourth leading cause of death in the elderly worldwide.1,2 Although pneumonia is a common disease, it rarely affects healthy individuals. This condition affects people of all ages, however it is most dangerous in immunocompromised individuals such as children, infants, and older adults.1 Other populations that are vulnerable are those who are bedridden, inactive, or immobile; those with altered consciousness; those who have difficulty swallowing; and those who have impaired cough reflexes.1 Risk factors for pneumonia include cigarette smoking, acute respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, uremia, dehydration,

M. pneumoniae is generally referred to as primary atypical or walking pneumonia because the symptoms are not as sever as pneumonia. The symptoms include a dry hacking cough, fever, and headache. The symptoms will last for about 2 to 3 weeks. M. pneumoniae affects people worldwide. Typically only 33 % of people who have M. pneumoniae will get atypical pneumonia. The majority, 77 %, will come down with an upper tract infection (tracheaobronchitis). (Pulmonary Disorders pg 609) M. pneumoniae is transmitted through aerosol droplets. The bacterium is capable of infecting anyone at any time but it has a pattern of coming in the fall and winter and causing an outbreak every 4 to 8 years, although more tight communities occur more frequently. The pathogen rarely occurs on children less than 4 years of age. Since the bacterium lacks a cell wall, B-lactums are futile against them. The body’s immune system is responsible for killing the pathogen. There were 2 million cases in the US with 100,000 requiring hospitalization. The mortality rate is very low with only occasional fatalities among the elderly and sickle cell anemia persons. ( ).

The clinical manifestations of pneumonia will be different according to the causative organism and the patient’s underlying conditions and/or comorbidities (Smeltzer, et al). Some of the manifestations are

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 of the body.

Nurses play a vital role in observing and interpreting the current symptoms of patients. It is vital that nurses are able to understand the overall symptoms associated with certain diseases and drugs and can confidently present this information to the physician for review and proper patient treatment. Here, the patient's symptoms are suggesting a distinct and dangerous disease as well as possible side effects from Fentanyl.