what are the different causes of pneumonia

Causes

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia, how sick the patient is, the patient’s age, and if other underlying medical conditions are present. Mild cases of pneumonia will often go away on their own by managing symptoms and getting adequate rest.

Symptoms

The Effects of Pneumonia on the Body

• Respiratory system. A bacteria or virus enters the body through an airway. ...
• Circulatory system. One of the earlier signs of pneumonia caused by bacteria is a fast heartbeat. ...
• Immune system. The body’s immune system helps fight off harmful bacteria and viruses. ...
• Muscular system. ...
• Urinary system. ...
• Digestive system. ...

Complications

There are many types of pneumonia although most types are caused by bacteria or viruses. Less common types are caused by fungus. This type of pneumonia starts when bacteria enter the lungs and alveoli, usually from the nose or mouth. Bacteria can also travel to the lungs from other parts of the body through the blood.

Can pneumonia go away on its own?

The options include:

• Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat ...
• Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. ...
• Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort. ...

What are the most common side effects of pneumonia?

Is pneumonia caused by virus or bacteria?

What are the remedies for pneumonia?

What are the 4 different types of pneumonia?

The main types of pneumonia are:Bacterial pneumonia. This type is caused by various bacteria. ... Viral pneumonia. This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu (influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. ... Mycoplasma pneumonia. ... Other pneumonias.

What are the two main causes of pneumonia?

It may be caused by:Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. ... Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. ... Fungi. ... Viruses, including COVID-19 .

What are the three most common causes of bacterial pneumonia?

The most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is S. pneumoniae, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The most common causes of HCAP and HAP are MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

What is the most common way to get pneumonia?

Catching pneumonia The germs that can cause pneumonia are usually breathed in. People often have small amounts of germs in their nose and throat that can be passed on through: coughs and sneezes – these launch tiny droplets of fluid containing germs into the air, which someone else can breathe in.

What are the 4 stages of pneumonia symptoms?

Stages of PneumoniaStage 1: Congestion. During the congestion phase, the lungs become very heavy and congested due to infectious fluid that has accumulated in the air sacs. ... Stage 2: Red hepatization. ... Stage 3: Gray hepatization. ... Stage 4: Resolution.

Who is most at risk for pneumonia?

Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia: adults 65 years or older; children younger than 5 years old; people who have ongoing medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes or heart disease); and people who smoke cigarettes.

What is the most common cause of pneumonia in adults?

The flu (influenza virus) and the common cold (rhinovirus) are the most common causes of viral pneumonia in adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in young children. Many other viruses can cause pneumonia, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

What is the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumoniaa cough – which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)difficulty breathing – your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting.rapid heartbeat.high temperature.feeling generally unwell.sweating and shivering.More items...

What causes pneumonia in the lungs?

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The immune system's reaction to this infection causes the lung's air sacs to fill with pus and fluids. This leads to symptoms such as trouble breathing, a cough with or without mucus, fever, and chills.

What is the best antibiotic to treat pneumonia?

In otherwise uncomplicated pneumonia, azithromycin is the initial drug of choice, as it covers most of the potential etiologic agents, including Mycoplasma species.

What antibiotics treat pneumonia?

The first-line treatment for pneumonia in adults is macrolide antibiotics, like azithromycin or erythromycin. In children, the first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia is typically amoxicillin.

How do they treat pneumonia?

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home with rest, antibiotics (if it's likely be caused by a bacterial infection) and by drinking plenty of fluids. More severe cases may need hospital treatment.

Can you get pneumonia from being cold?

It might surprise you to find out that neither cold weather nor wet hair can cause you to catch pneumonia. In fact, pneumonia in itself isn't contagious, so you can't really “catch” it at all.

Can you get pneumonia from the cold?

Viruses: Any virus that causes a respiratory tract infection (infections of the nose, throat, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) can cause pneumonia. The viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza) can cause pneumonia.

What bacteria causes pneumonia?

Bacteria. The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is called pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae germ that normally lives in the upper respiratory tract. It infects over 900,000 Americans every year.

What is the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Fever, sweating and shaking chills. Shortness of breath. Rapid, shallow breathing. Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.

What is the most common cause of pneumonia?

The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you've had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia. Bacteria-like organisms.

Why is pneumonia so serious?

Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.

How is pneumonia classified?

Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection.

What happens when you have pneumonia?

Pneumonia and your lungs. Most pneumonia occurs when a breakdown in your body's natural defenses allows germs to invade and multiply within your lungs. To destroy the attacking organisms, white blood cells rapidly accumulate. Along with bacteria and fungi, they fill the air sacs within your lungs (alveoli).

What is a health care acquired pneumonia?

Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities or who receive care in outpatient clinics , including kidney dialysis centers.

How to prevent pneumonia?

Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available to prevent some types of pneumonia and the flu. Talk with your doctor about getting these shots. The vaccination guidelines have changed over time so make sure to review your vaccination status with your doctor even if you recall previously receiving a pneumonia vaccine.

What does it feel like to breathe and cough?

Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) Cough, which may produce phlegm. Fatigue. Fever, sweating and shaking chills. Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems) Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

What causes pneumonia in children?

Viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract may also cause pneumonia. The influenza virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in young children. Most viral pneumonias are not serious and last a shorter time than bacterial pneumonia.

What is the most common form of pneumonia?

Fungal pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who are exposed to large doses of certain fungi from contaminated soil or bird droppings.

What are the different types of pneumonia?

Some types of bacteria cause what is known as "atypical" pneumonia, including: 1 Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a tiny wide-spread bacterium that usually infects people younger than 40 years old, especially those living and working in crowded conditions. The illness is often mild enough to go undetected and is sometimes referred to as walking pneumonia. 2 Chlamydophila pneumoniae, which commonly causes upper respiratory infections year-round, but can also result in a mild form of pneumonia. 3 Legionella pneumophila, which causes a dangerous form of pneumonia called Legionnaire's disease. Unlike other bacterial pneumonias, Legionella is not passed from person to person. Outbreaks of the disease have been linked to exposure to contaminated water from cooling towers, whirlpool spas, and outdoor fountains.

What is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia?

The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is called pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae germ that normally lives in the upper respiratory tract. It infects over 900,000 Americans every year.

Why are pneumonias called atypical?

These bacteria are referred to as "atypical" because pneumonia caused by these organisms might have slightly different symptoms, appear different on a chest X-ray, or respond to different antibiotics than the typical bacteria that cause pneumonia. Even though these infections are called "atypical," they are not uncommon.

What is atypical pneumonia?

Some types of bacteria cause what is known as "atypical" pneumonia, including: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a tiny wide-spread bacterium that usually infects people younger than 40 years old, especially those living and working in crowded conditions.

Is pneumonia fatal?

Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus may be severe and sometimes fatal. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies; however, there are almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. This pneumonia is most serious in people who have pre-existing heart or lung disease and pregnant women.

What causes pneumonia?

There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are:

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is a serious infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.

Who is at risk for pneumonia?

Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the following groups are at the highest risk:

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Based on these factors, your healthcare provider may diagnose pneumonia simply on a thorough history and physical exam. The following tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis:

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can be very serious and even deadly.

How to treat mycoplasma pneumonia?

It may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias don’t have a specific treatment and just get better on their own. Other treatment may include a healthy diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, co ugh, and fever control .

How many different types of pneumonia are there?

There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia.

How many causes does pneumonia have?

Regardless of where it's acquired, pneumonia has three primary causes and a fourth, much rarer, cause:

What is the most common form of pneumonia?

Fungal pneumonia. Most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, such as occurs with HIV/AIDS. Also occurs in people who are exposed to large amounts of fungi in contaminated soil or bird droppings.

What is pneumonia in children?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that affects many children. Learn the signs of pneumonia in children, what causes pneumonia in children, how doctors diagnose pneumonia in children, and what you can do to treat pneumonia in children.

What is the name of the infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with pus?

Pneumonia is a type of infection that affects your lungs. It can affect one or both lungs. It causes the air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli, to fill with pus or other liquid. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or, more rarely, parasites. People of all ages can develop pneumonia.

What is the term for a bacterial infection that causes the air sacs to fill with pus?

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung usually caused by bacterial or viral infection (rarely, also by fungi) that causes the air sacs to fill with pus. If inflammation affects both lungs, the infection is termed double pneumonia. If it affects one lung, it is termed single pneumonia. If it affects only a certain lobe of a lung it's termed lobar ...

How do you know if you have pneumonia?

The symptoms of pneumonia may include any combination of the following: Cough that produces mucus. Heavy sweating or shaking chills. Chest pain that worsens with coughing or deep breathing. Loss of appetite. Tiredness. Rapid breathing. Shortness of breath that worsens with activity. Headache.

What causes pus in the lungs?

The three main causes of pneumonia are bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Treatment depends on the cause.

What is the cause of pneumonia?

Bacterial pneumonia is pneumonia that's caused by bacteria—most commonly, Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is a bacteria that normally lives in your upper respiratory tract that can make its way down into your lungs and cause an infection, Raymond Casciari, MD, a pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif., tells Health. Bacterial pneumonia infects more than 900,000 Americans each year, according to the American Lung Association (ALA), and you can develop this form of pneumonia on its own or after you've had a virus, like the cold or flu.

What causes chemical pneumonia?

Chemical pneumonia is caused by a toxin that you inhale, Reynold A. Panettieri, Jr., MD, professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and director of the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, tells Health. "Classic chemical pneumonia was caused by chlorine gas, which was used as a weapon in World War I," he says. But it's possible to get chemical pneumonia from other things, including by accidentally breathing in large amounts of fumes from cleaning supplies, pool equipment, or even air fresheners, if they're sprayed directly into someone's airways, Dr. Casciari says. "These things can physically irritate the lungs," he explains.

What is pneumonia in the lungs?

Aspiration pneumonia is an infection that can happen when you accidentally inhale substances into your lungs, like your own stomach acid or food particles. That causes inflammation and "sometimes this injury can be followed by a secondary bacterial infection," Dr. Monaco says.

How to treat aspiration pneumonia?

Monaco says. "Most patients recover fully." If there's a lot of stuff in your airways, you may need a breathing tube and a procedure called a bronchoscopy to help remove everything, he says, adding that antibiotics may also be needed.

Is double pneumonia an infection?

RELATED: Double Pneumonia Is an Infection in Both Lungs— Here's What to Know, According to Doctors

Is pneumonia created equal?

It's easy to assume all cases of pneumonia are created equal, but there are actually several different types of the infection—and knowing the kind of pneumonia that you have can be crucial in order to get you the proper care you need.

Is walking pneumonia a medical diagnosis?

To be fair, the term " walking pneumonia" isn't necessarily a true medical diagnosis, but doctor s (and many people) know what the phrase means

What causes bacterial pneumonia?

The common causes of bacterial pneumonia include: 1. Streptococcus pneumoniae: This bacteria causes pneumococcal disease and is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila: This bacteria grows in man-made water systems including hot tubs, plumbing systems, and cooling towers. It leads to a serious type of pneumonia known as ...

Which type of bacteria is more likely to cause pneumonia in people with existing lung conditions?

Haemophilus influenzae : This type of bacteria is more likely to cause pneumonia in people with existing lung conditions, like cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What is the name of the condition that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with liquid?

For over 15 years, he's practiced at the Kansas University Medical Center, where he is also a professor. Pneumonia is a type of lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with liquid. There are different types of pneumonia. In most cases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

What causes air sacs to fill with liquid?

Pneumonia is a type of lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with liquid. There are different types of pneumonia. In most cases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. In rarer cases, pneumonia can be caused by inhaling fluid into the lungs, or from a fungal infection. 1.

How long does walking pneumonia last?

However, the cough from walking pneumonia can last for a month or more . 3

How many people die from pneumonia in the US?

Pneumonia is a common health condition, but one that can be very serious. It is a leading cause of hospitalization and death among U.S. adults, with 1.3 million Americans diagnosed with pneumonia in a hospital each year. 6

How to prevent pneumonia?

Once you know about the different types of pneumonia and their causes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of pneumonia. These should include: 1 Practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, to prevent the spread of infection 2 Quitting smoking and reduce exposure to environmental toxins 3 Following nutritional guidelines to help keep your immune system healthy

What are the causes of pneumonia?

Doctors also break down the kinds of pneumonia by the causes of the disease: bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

What causes pneumonia in the community?

Community-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Vaccines can help protect against the flu virus and certain bacteria that can also cause pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia also includes aspiration pneumonia, which happens when you breathe food, fluid, or vomit into your lungs.

Why is pneumonia so serious?

It can be serious because the bacteria causing the pneumonia can be resistant to antibiotics. You're more likely to get this type if: You're on a breathing machine. You can't cough strongly enough to clear your lungs. You have a tracheostomy (trach) tube to help you breathe.

Why can't I cough up the stuff I took in?

It's more likely if you have problems swallowing or coughing. If you can't cough up the material you took in, bacteria can multiply in your lungs. Doctors also break down the kinds of pneumonia by the causes of the disease: bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

How do you catch pneumonia?

You can catch pneumonia when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. Bacteria-filled droplets get into the air, where you can breathe them into your nose or mouth. If you have a weakened immune system, your chances of getting pneumonia are higher.

What are the different types of pneumonia?

Articles On Pneumonia Types. Types of Pneumonia. Walking Pneumonia. Viral Pneumonia. Bacterial Pneumonia. Chemical Pneumonia. If you get pneumonia, it means you have an infection in your lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, and other germs. Learning which type you have will help your doctor suggest a treatment.

Can antibiotics help with pneumonia?

Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia. Your doctor might do tests to find the type of bacteria that are causing your infection so you can get the right one. This would more likely happen with hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Overview

Symptoms

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention