It is a common belief that pneumonia is an aggravation of the common cold. However, there is more to this illness than sneezing and shivering. Pneumonia is an infection that fills the air sacs with pus and other liquid. It is caused by either bacteria, fungi, or viruses and can affect one or both the lungs. According to the World Health Organisation, pneumonia is the most prominent infectious cause of mortality in children worldwide, accounting for about 14% of children under five in 2019. Children are not the only ones who are affected by pneumonia. Anyone can contract the infection, but adults above the age of 65 equally stand a significant risk of contracting pneumonia, like children.
The infection can be prevented, and if you get urgent care near you, the disease can be treated in time. Several factors can cause pneumonia; however, doctors have narrowed down these causes and classified them into four;
1. Bacterial Pneumonia
As the name suggests, bacterial pneumonia is caused by different kinds of bacteria. These bacteria attack the body in its most vulnerable moment and find their way to the lungs to cause damage. It’s common among the sick, aged, malnourished or those without immunity. People who have just done surgery or those suffering from respiratory illnesses are also at the risk of having bacterial pneumonia. The most common bacteria that causes this type of pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae.
2. Viral Pneumonia
Virus infections like the flu cause this type of pneumonia. It is the most occurring cause of pneumonia in people, and viral pneumonia can lead to bacterial pneumonia. Viruses cause over 30% of pneumonia cases.
3. Mycoplasma Pneumonia
The bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes Mycoplasma pneumonia, which is somewhat different from the other causes of pneumonia. The symptoms of this type of infection are various, and some physical signs are exhibited when a person has mycoplasma pneumonia. The condition affects everyone irrespective of age group.
4. Fungal Pneumonia
Caused by fungi, this kind of pneumonia is the least occurring in humans.
Several symptoms require you to find an emergency room in Waco, TX, to know if you have pneumonia. Some of these symptoms include;
- Change in the color of the lips and fingernails to blue.
- Delirium or disturbed mental state in adults.
- Colored (green, yellow, or bloody) mucus from cough.
- Fever
- Severe sweating.
- Lack of appetite.
- Reduced energy and fatigue.
- Increased pulse and breath.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
If you can spot early symptoms of pneumonia, urgent care near you is all that will be required. A doctor will perform one or more of these diagnoses to confirm your symptoms.
- Chest X-ray
- Blood test
- Sputum Culture
- Pulse Oximetry
- Chest CT Scan
- Bronchoscopy
- Pleural Fluid Culture
Can Pneumonia be Treated?
Yes. There are treatment procedures for all kinds of pneumonia. The infection can be treated at home, but if the condition is severe, you must find an ER near you. For home treatment, antibiotics can treat bacterial, mycoplasma, and other kinds of pneumonia. However, cases of viral pneumonia tend to get better on their own – even without treatment. Other treatment options for pneumonia include a balanced diet, adequate rest, pain relief drugs, oxygen therapy, and cough syrup. If severe, you can visit the Express Emergency Room, Waco, for pepper treatment.
Prevention for Pneumonia
Preventing pneumonia costs less than treatment. You can visit any primary health care provider to get immunized. A flu shot can also prevent you from the flu, and you already know that the flu is one of the causes of pneumonia.
The pneumococcal vaccine prevents children under five and adults above 65 from bacterial pneumonia. This vaccine is highly recommended for children and adults and can be administered in an ER near you.
If pneumonia is not treated, it can lead to respiratory failure, lung abscesses, respiratory failure, and sepsis. All of which increases the chances of mortality. Visit an emergency room in Waco, TX, if you experience any of the symptoms highlighted in this text. There are treatments for pneumonia, and several patients always respond. However, if not treated, pneumonia can lead to several health conditions and death.
