🫁 Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

⚕️ What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes the air sacs (alveoli) to fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe. It can range from mild to life-threatening, especially in young children, elderly people, or those with weak immune systems.

Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

🔎 Symptoms of Pneumonia

Symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually and include:

🤒 High fever and chills
😴 Fatigue and weakness
😮 Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
🤕 Chest pain while breathing or coughing
😷 Cough producing mucus or pus
🟤 Bluish lips or nails (in severe cases)
🤢 Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

❗ Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe.

⚠️ Causes of Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia – Most common; caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Viral pneumonia – Caused by influenza, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Fungal pneumonia – Usually affects people with weak immune systems.
Aspiration pneumonia – Caused by inhaling food, liquid, or vomit into the lungs.

🩺 Risk Factors

👶 Infants and 👵 elderly people
🛡️ Weak immune system (HIV, chemotherapy)
🚬 Smoking or lung disease (asthma, COPD)
🏥 Recent surgery or hospitalization
⚖️ Chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease)

🧪 Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose pneumonia using:

🩺 Physical examination (listening to lungs)
🧪 Chest X-ray or CT scan
💉 Blood tests and sputum culture
🫁 Pulse oximetry to check oxygen levels

💊 Treatment of Pneumonia

Treatment depends on the cause:

💊 Bacterial pneumonia: Antibiotics
🛌 Viral pneumonia: Rest, hydration, antiviral medications if needed
🏥 Severe cases: Oxygen therapy, hospitalization, or IV medications
💨 Breathing support may be necessary in critical cases

⚠️ Early treatment reduces complications and speeds recovery.

🛡️ Prevention of Pneumonia

💉 Vaccination: Pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines
🧼 Wash hands regularly and maintain hygiene
😷 Avoid close contact with sick people
🚭 Quit smoking to protect lungs
🏋️‍♂️ Healthy diet and exercise to strengthen immunity

🌟 Outlook

With early treatment, most people recover fully from pneumonia. Severe cases, especially in vulnerable groups, can lead to respiratory failure or sepsis, so timely medical care is critical.

Pneumonia