Pneumonia | NHS inform

Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection.

At the end of the breathing tubes in your lungs are clusters of tiny air sacs. If you have pneumonia, these tiny sacs become inflamed and fill up with fluid.

Symptoms of pneumonia

The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• a 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
• fever
• feeling generally unwell
• sweating and shivering
• loss of appetite
• chest pain – which gets worse when breathing or coughing

Less common symptoms include:

• coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
• headaches
• fatigue
• nausea or vomiting
• wheezing
• joint and muscle pain
• feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people

When to see your GP

See your GP if you feel unwell and you have typical symptoms of pneumonia.

Seek urgent medical attention if you’re experiencing severe symptoms, such as rapid breathing, chest pain or confusion.

Who’s affected?

In the UK, pneumonia affects around 8 in 1,000 adults each year. It’s more widespread in autumn and winter.

Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it’s more common – and can be more serious – in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly.

People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia is usually the result of a pneumococcal infection, caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Many different types of bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus, can also cause pneumonia, as well as viruses and, more rarely, fungi.

As well as bacterial pneumonia, other types include:

• viral pneumonia – most commonly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and sometimes influenza type A or B; viruses are a common cause of pneumonia in young children
• aspiration pneumonia – caused by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, such as a peanut, or a harmful substance, such as smoke or a chemical
• fungal pneumonia – rare in the UK and more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system
• hospital-acquired pneumonia – pneumonia that develops in hospital while being treated for another condition or having an operation; people in intensive care on breathing machines are particularly at risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia

Risk groups

The following groups have an increased risk of developing pneumonia:

• babies and very young children
• elderly people
• people who smoke
• people with other health conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or a heart, kidney or liver condition
• people with a weakened immune system – for example, as a result of a recent illness, such as flu, having HIV or AIDS, having chemotherapy, or taking medication following an organ transplant

Diagnosing pneumonia

Your GP may be able to diagnose pneumonia by asking about your symptoms and examining your chest. Further tests may be needed in some cases.

Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many symptoms with other conditions, such as the common cold, bronchitis and asthma.

To help make a diagnosis, your GP may ask you:

• whether you feel breathless or you’re breathing faster than usual
• how long you’ve had your cough, and whether you’re coughing up mucus and what colour it is
• if the pain in your chest is worse when you breathe in or out

Your GP may also take your temperature and listen to your chest and back with a stethoscope to check for any crackling or rattling sounds.

They may also listen to your chest by tapping it. Lungs filled with fluid produce a different sound from normal healthy lungs.

If you have mild pneumonia, you probably won’t need to have a chest X-ray or any other tests.

You may need a chest X-ray or other tests, such as a sputum (mucus) test or blood tests, if your symptoms haven’t improved within 48 hours of starting treatment.

Treating pneumonia

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by:

• getting plenty of rest
• taking antibiotics
• drinking plenty of fluids

If you don’t have any other health problems, you should respond well to treatment and soon recover, although your cough may last for some time.

As pneumonia isn’t usually passed from one person to another, it’s safe to be around others, including family members.

However, people with a weakened immune system should avoid close contact with a person with pneumonia until they start to get better.

For at-risk groups, pneumonia can be severe and may need to be treated in hospital.

This is because it can lead to serious complications, which in some cases can be fatal, depending on a person’s health and age.

Read more about treating pneumonia.

Complications of pneumonia

Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes.

Possible complications of pneumonia include:

• pleurisy – where the thin linings between your lungs and ribcage (pleura) become inflamed, which can lead to respiratory failure
• a lung abscess – a rare complication that’s mostly seen in people with a serious pre-existing illness or a history of severe alcohol misuse
• blood poisoning (septicaemia) – also a rare but serious complication

You’ll be admitted to hospital for treatment if you develop one of these complications.

Preventing pneumonia

Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and aren’t passed on from one person to another, ensuring good standards of hygiene will help prevent germs spreading.

For example, you should:

• cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze 
• throw away used tissues immediately – germs can live for several hours after they leave your nose or mouth
• wash your hands regularly to avoid transferring germs to other people or objects

A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia. For example, you should avoid smoking as it damages your lungs and increases the chance of infection.

Find out how to stop smoking.

Excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse also weakens your lungs’ natural defences against infections, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia.

People at high risk of pneumonia should be offered the pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine.

Pneumonia | Johns Hopkins Medicine

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.

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:

• Bacterial pneumonia. This type is caused by various bacteria. The most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It usually occurs when the body is weakened in some way, such as by illness, poor nutrition, old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but you are at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, are debilitated, have recently had surgery, have a respiratory disease or viral infection, or have a weakened immune system.

• Viral pneumonia. This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu (influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia.

• Mycoplasma pneumonia. This type has somewhat different symptoms and physical signs and is referred to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It generally causes a mild, widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups.

• Other pneumonias. There are other less common pneumonias that may be caused by other infections including fungi.

Who is at risk for pneumonia?

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

• Adults ages 65 and older

• Children younger than age 2

• People with certain medical conditions

• People that smoke

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:

• Bluish color to lips and fingernails

• Confused mental state or delirium, especially in older people

• Cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus

• Fever

• Heavy sweating

• Loss of appetite

• Low energy and extreme tiredness

• Rapid breathing

• Rapid pulse

• Shaking chills

• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that’s worse with deep breathing or coughing

• Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity

Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia, which may be followed by:

Mycoplasma pneumonia has somewhat different symptoms, which include a severe cough that may produce mucus.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually made based on your recent health history (such as surgery, a cold, or travel exposures) and the extent of the illness. 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:

• Chest X-ray. This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.

• Blood tests. This test may be used to see whether infection is present and if infection has spread to the bloodstream (blood cultures). Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.

• Sputum culture. This test is done on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth. It’s often used to see if there’s an infection in the lungs.

• Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot.

• Chest CT scan. This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce sharp, detailed horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than regular X-rays.

• Bronchoscopy. This is direct exam of the bronchi (the main airways of the lungs) using a flexible tube (called a bronchoscope). It helps to evaluate and diagnose lung problems, assess blockages, and take out samples of tissue and/or fluid for testing,

• Pleural fluid culture. In this test, a sample of a fluid sample is taken from the pleural space. This is the space between the lungs and chest wall. A long, thin needle is put through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space. Fluid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle. It is sent to the lab where it’s tested to find out which bacteria is causing the pneumonia.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias don’t have specific treatment. They usually get better on their own.

Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain medicine, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medicine if cough is severe.

Can pneumonia be prevented?

Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia. Because of that, getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia.

There is also a pneumococcal vaccine. It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Children younger than age 5 and adults ages 65 and older should get this shot.

The pneumococcal shot is also recommended for all children and adults who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

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

You are more likely to have complications if you are an older adult, a very young child, have a weakened immune system, or have a serious medical problem like diabetes or cirrhosis. Complications may include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a severe form of respiratory failure.

• Lung abscesses. These are pockets of pus that form inside or around the lung. They may need to be drained with surgery

• Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.

• Sepsis. This is when the infection gets into the blood. It may lead to organ failure.

Key points about pneumonia

• Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

• 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.

• A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia. Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness.

• Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough history and physical exam. Tests used to look at the lungs, blood tests, and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used.

• Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Antibiotics are used for bacterial 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, cough, and fever control.

• Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can cause serious lung and infection problems. It can even be deadly.

Shortness of breath with pneumonia – symptoms and diagnosis of pneumonia. Treatment of pneumonia in Moscow

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Pneumonia is a disease in which inflammation occurs and the lungs are affected. Doctors classify pneumonia as an acute infectious disease. Shortness of breath with pneumonia (dyspnea) and after its treatment is a common problem in which a person experiences a lack of oxygen. In the therapy clinic of the Yusupov Hospital, pulmonologists treat patients with pneumonia and other diseases of the respiratory system.

Shortness of breath in pneumonia: causes

In the lung tissue, inflammation can develop due to the penetration of microorganisms that cause pneumonia into the body: enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pneumococcus, pneumocystis. However, in order for their life activity to become possible, the presence of several factors is necessary:

Shortness of breath after pneumonia can occur both at rest and during exercise. The cause of respiratory failure is the depletion of compensatory mechanisms for saturating cells and tissues with oxygen and insufficient work of the respiratory system.

In case of pneumonia, inflammatory fluid accumulates in the alveoli, the affected area of ​​gas exchange stops its function. The consequence of this violation is the cessation of the exchange between capillaries and alveolocytes of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

In the therapy clinic, a pulmonologist explains to patients the reasons for the development of certain problems, prescribes appropriate diagnostics, based on which he develops treatment options. Thus, shortness of breath in pneumonia is successfully treated without further complications with adequate therapeutic measures. In the Yusupov hospital, the staff is ready to receive patients every day 24 hours a day, so if you feel unwell, you can seek help from the doctors of the clinics.

Degrees and symptoms of dyspnea with pneumonia

Shortness of breath with pneumonia begins to appear gradually, along with other pulmonary manifestations of this disease. Pulmonologists distinguish several stages of dyspnea:

• at the zero stage, dyspnea does not bother the patient, it can manifest itself during intense exertion;
• the first stage is characterized by hard breathing and shortness of breath, bluish coloration of the skin or mucous membranes is absent or not pronounced;
• dyspnea in pneumonia in the second stage begins even with slight muscle tension, in this condition, palpitations and motor restlessness can be observed;
• the third stage of dyspnea is the most severe, since dyspnea appears at rest, consciousness is deeply depressed or coma occurs.

Shortness of breath after pneumonia that has recently been discontinued is a common consequence of the disease. In case of respiratory failure, the patient must be constantly under the supervision of medical personnel and follow the recommendations of a pulmonologist. In case of breathing problems, contact the therapy clinic of the Yusupov Hospital for experienced and friendly doctors.

Shortness of breath in pneumonia is also a symptom of respiratory failure. This pathology may have other manifestations, such as heart rhythm disturbances, hard breathing, disorientation, tachycardia. With the development of shortness of breath, the patient is forced to stay at home and forget about walks in the fresh air, which are necessary after pneumonia. To get rid of this problem and restore breathing, you need to consult a pulmonologist, who helps to eliminate respiratory disorders.

Specialists of the Yusupov Hospital manage to achieve high results in the treatment of patients due to an integrated approach to treatment, the use of modern treatment methods and high-precision equipment. After adequate therapy, shortness of breath after pneumonia will stop bothering you.

Shortness of breath after pneumonia: treatment at the Yusupov Hospital

The Yusupov Hospital is a modern medical institution where experienced doctors with effective methods of treatment help to cure diseases. Shortness of breath after pneumonia is a common complaint of patients in the therapy clinic. Breathing problems are also one of the symptoms of the disease: as it recedes, shortness of breath weakens. In order to treat shortness of breath, patients are prescribed drugs to remove sputum and relieve bronchospasm, as well as medications to normalize the heart rhythm.

If a patient is diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, the marker of which is shortness of breath with pneumonia, urgent hospitalization of the patient is necessary. In this condition, oxygen therapy is performed, in which oxygen is supplied through a face mask or nasal cannula.

Shortness of breath after pneumonia for which treatment has been completed is a dangerous complication. It indicates that the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms continues in the lung tissue. Late contact with the clinic can lead to the development of more serious diseases of the respiratory system.

In the therapy clinic of the Yusupov hospital, dyspnea due to pneumonia is successfully treated, like other diseases. When contacting pulmonologists, a treatment plan will be developed for you after diagnosis and the first therapeutic measures will be taken. Entrust your health to the experienced doctors of the Yusupov Hospital and make an appointment by phone.

Pneumonia – causes, symptoms and treatment

Pneumonia (pneumonia) is an acute infectious and inflammatory disease of the lungs, in which all structural elements of the lung tissue are involved in the process.

Inflammation of the lungs before the advent of antibiotics was one of the most formidable diseases. Mortality from pneumonia at the end of the 19th century reached a record 83%. Today, despite all the achievements of modern medicine, the development of new antibacterial and antiviral drugs, this disease still remains an urgent problem: every year, 14 out of 1000 people are diagnosed with pneumonia; in the structure of mortality in the Russian Federation, pneumonia ranks fourth (9%), second only to oncological, cardiovascular diseases and injuries. Therefore, the treatment of pneumonia requires mandatory monitoring and supervision of a specialist.

CAUSES FOR

Acute pneumonia is caused by various infectious agents. Approximately 90% of cases are bacteria, the remaining 10% are viruses, fungi, protozoa and helminths (roundworms, toxoplasma, schistosomes).

The most common pathogens include pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, influenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial infection. Most often, pneumonia caused by these pathogens develops after hypothermia, or as a complication of SARS.

CLASSIFICATION OF PNEUMONIA

Depending on the epidemiological conditions of the occurrence of pneumonia, they are divided into:

1. Community-acquired (outpatient) – occur outside the hospital, or within 48 hours of admission to the hospital. They have a favorable prognosis.
2. Nosocomial (hospital) – occur in a hospital, 48-72 hours after admission. The prognosis largely depends on the resistance of the pathogen to antibiotics.
3. Pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. The prognosis is unfavorable, require active treatment in a hospital setting.
4. Aspiration pneumonia – pneumonia resulting from the ingestion of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract into the respiratory tract.

Depending on the extent of the lesion and the mechanism of occurrence, it is customary to subdivide pneumonia into focal and lobar.

• Focal pneumonia is a variant of pneumonia with the localization of the inflammatory process in a limited area of ​​the lung tissue, within the small structural units of the lung – lobules. Focal pneumonia usually develops as a complication of SARS or acute tracheobronchitis. The clinical picture in this case may be “erased” and resemble a protracted course of bronchitis.
• Lobar pneumonia is an inflammation of a lung infectious nature, which is characterized by the involvement in the process of one or more lobes of the lung, with the pleura covering them. The clinical picture is manifested by severe intoxication, intense cough, shortness of breath with tachypnea and tachycardia. Lobar pneumonia most often develops against the background of episodes of prolonged hypothermia.

In outpatient practice, most often there are cases of community-acquired pneumonia, which, with proper treatment, have a favorable prognosis.

SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA

The clinical picture of pneumonia largely depends on the extent of the lesion. Manifestations of pneumonia are divided into pulmonary and extrapulmonary. Pulmonary manifestations include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. To extrapulmonary – fever, intoxication syndrome, laboratory inflammation syndrome.

Cough is a characteristic symptom of pneumonia. In the first or second day from the onset of the disease, the patient may be disturbed only by a slight cough, later the cough becomes more intense, mucopurulent sputum appears.

Pain in the chest is most characteristic of lobar pneumonia, because. in this case, the pleura is involved in the process of inflammation. Usually such pain occurs suddenly, intensifies at the depth of inspiration. With extensive damage, there may be a lag of the affected half of the chest in the act of breathing.

Shortness of breath in pneumonia is most often interconnected with the volume of the affected lung tissue. So, with small-focal pneumonia, there is an increase in shortness of breath, accompanied by an increase in the frequency of respiratory movements up to 30 per minute. At the same time, patients may complain of a feeling of congestion in the chest.

Intoxication with pneumonia is manifested by general weakness and muscle pain, at elevated temperatures, joint pain, increased sweating, headaches and decreased appetite may appear. In severe cases, there is confusion, delirium.

Fever with pneumonia can be a non-permanent symptom. As a rule, at the beginning of the disease, there is a rise in body temperature to 38-39 * C, which is stopped for a short time by antipyretics. But with a decrease in immunity, with extensive damage, pneumonia can occur without fever.
99/l) increased levels of ESR, CRP, gamma and alpha 2 globulins, seromucoid, but these indicators have low specificity.

PNEUMONIA DIAGNOSIS

Suspicion of pneumonia should arise if the patient has a fever, in combination with complaints of a productive cough, discharge of mucopurulent sputum, shortness of breath and / or chest pain. Also, patients with pneumonia may complain of increased sweating at night, general weakness, fatigue, increased blood pressure.

At the slightest suspicion of this disease, an additional examination should be carried out. The minimum diagnostic minimum to confirm pneumonia should include a clinical blood test, a urinalysis, a chest x-ray in two projections, as well as a specialist consultation, during which a general examination, chest palpation, percussion and auscultation of the lungs are performed.

In order to determine the pathogen and differential diagnosis with other diseases, the doctor may prescribe additional studies: general sputum analysis, sputum culture for sterility, serological tests, determination of IgG and IgM to individual pathogens, PCR diagnostics, MSCT of the chest organs with contrast, tuberculin tests, echocardiography and ECG.

TREATMENT

Most patients with community-acquired pneumonia can be treated at home, however, in each case, the appointment of antibiotics or antiviral drugs is determined by the etiological factor, history, examination data and the results of additional examination. Self-medication in the event of pneumonia is categorically impossible, since improper therapy significantly increases the risk of death.

In some cases, patients require treatment in a hospital setting. Indications for hospitalization are extensive damage to the lung tissue, an increase in the phenomena of respiratory failure, age over 60 years. Consultation of a general practitioner or pulmonologist in such situations is mandatory.

Prepared information for you:

Gusev-Shcherbakov Alexander Sergeevich

To make an appointment with a pulmonologist, call the single contact center in Moscow +7 (495) 775 75 66 or use the online appointment service. Pulmonologist Konyukhova Maria Yuryevna conducts an appointment at the clinic “Family Doctor” on Baumanskaya.