Pneumonia

What Happens When People Have Pneumonia?

Symptoms

People who have streptococcal pneumonia, the most common kind, often get a fever of 102 to 104 degrees F (39 to 40.5 degrees Centigrade) and chills that cause the body to shake. They cough, often bringing up large amounts of thick, greenish mucus, sometimes mixed with blood. They may breath more quickly, and they may have rales (pronounced "rahls"), a crackling sound that can be heard with a stethoscope. Their chests hurt, too; the stabbing pain seems to get worse the more they cough. Other symptoms include a bad headache, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting.

People who are elderly or who have immune system problems often have milder symptoms in the beginning, even though their illness may be more dangerous. They might, for instance, have just a low-grade fever, tiredness, or confusion, and a sense of being ill.

People with atypical or mycoplasma pneumonia often get a dry cough, a sore throat, skin rashes, and muscle and joint pain. Because these are not the classic symptoms of pneumonia, people may think they just have a mild case of flu.

People with influenza pneumonia often have fever, a severe dry cough, rales, and severe fatigue.

Diagnosis

If a person has persistent fever and a cough, doctors will suspect pneumonia. They may be able to diagnose pneumonia by listening through a stethoscope to the person's breathing. In any case, a chest x-ray usually makes the diagnosis clear.

Treatment

If a specific type of bacteria has been identified as the cause of the pneumonia, the doctor can prescribe antibiotic drugs that target those bacteria. If the germ is not pinpointed but bacteria are suspected, the doctor may give antibiotics that are active against the most likely causes. If the cause is a virus or fungus, antibiotics will not help. Instead, some antiviral and antifungal drugs are available, although not all viruses have treatments.

When the pneumonia is severe, people often are hospitalized. They may be given oxygen or put on a ventilator (a breathing machine) to help them breathe while the medications and the immune system fight the infection.

How Is Pneumonia Prevented?

Yearly flu vaccinations can prevent pneumonia caused by certain influenza viruses, and a one-time vaccination can help protect people against pneumococcal pneumonia.

People who have the AIDS virus can reduce their chances of getting Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia by taking daily medication. Not smoking, or quitting the habit, and not drinking alcohol excessively also can reduce the risk of pneumonia.

To prevent pneumonia in the hospital, patients are encouraged to breathe deeply, and they are sometimes given plastic breath meters that measure how well they are doing. They also are encouraged to move around, if possible, rather than staying in bed. These practices prevent the lungs from filling with mucus and other fluids that some bacteria thrive in.