Pneumonia
By Jesse Torres
American Career College

Abstract

Pneumonia is a dangerous disease that if not treated right away, will result in mortality. Respiratory therapists should evaluate the medical history and become good at inspection, palpation, percussion, and visualization signs of pneumonia. It’s so dangerous because it’s hard to diagnose at its early stages. When the diagnosis can be properly made and the lab results are confirmed, the patient is already behind and in serious condition. There are many ways to catch this disease as you can get it anywhere from your home or the hospital. The most important ways to prevent this disease is to wash your hands, stay away from sick people, and check with the doctor if flu symptoms persist.
Introduction

“Pneumonia is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of infection-related mortality.” (Egan’s) Pneumonia is an inflammation in the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other organisms. Pneumonia is more dangerous in older individuals and people with impaired immune systems. Anyone can get pneumonia as it is the leading cause of death among children.
Signs and Symptoms

Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose. Many cases develop suddenly with chest pain, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chills. The initial infection presents itself as the flu. Although these are the common symptoms of pneumonia, the symptoms can vary greatly depending on the conditions and what type of organism is causing the infection.
Many types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia can occur suddenly by itself or may develop after having influenza. Signs of bacterial pneumonia are: chills, sweating, high fever, shortness of breath, and a cough that produces, thick green phlegm. When bacterial pneumonia is confined to one area of the lung, this is called lobar pneumonia.
Another way pneumonia is contracted is by virus. Viral pneumonia causes about half the cases reported. It starts off as flu-like symptoms: dry cough, fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and headache. As the disease gets worse, patients may exhibit shortness of breath, and a cough that produces white or clear phlegm in small quantities. If not treated correctly, the patient may develop a secondary bacterial pneumonia.
Fungi can cause pneumonia, but its not very common. Only certain types of fungi cause pneumonia. Some people, after breathing in the fungi, will develop symptoms of acute pneumonia while others will develop a chronic pneumonia, which can last for several months.
Causes

Pneumonia is usually caused by an infection to the lungs. The lungs are delicate, spongy organs surrounded by membrane called pleura. The two lungs combine for a total of 5 lobes: three on the right and two on the left. During inspiration, the lungs receive air through the trachea. The major airways of the lung are called bronchi. These bronchi subdivide into smaller airways called bronchioles. These smaller airways finally end in clusters or tiny air sacs called alveoli. The nasal cilia prevent many organisms from entering the airways, but some microorganisms manage to get through and find their way into the alveoli. The body tries to prevent the lungs from getting infected. White blood cells and other immune proteins attack the organisms to prevent it from spreading. This attack causes the air sacs to become inflamed and fill with fluid. This causes the person to have difficulties breathing. It usually occurs in one lung but if it occurs in both, it’s called double pneumonia.
The most common ways people because infected are: community-acquired pneumonia (pneumonia acquired from the external environment), hospital-acquired pneumonia (patients have many types of bacteria and viruses increasing the risk), and aspiration pneumonia (when foreign matter is inhaled into the lungs).
Complications

Pneumonia is difficult to treat in