What bacteria can cause pneumonia? What are the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia? How can bacterial pneumonia be prevented and treated? Discover the answers to these questions and more.

Understanding Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by certain types of bacteria. The most common culprit is Streptococcus, also known as pneumococcus, but other bacteria can also lead to this condition. Typically, these bacteria can reside in the throat without causing any issues, but when the body’s immune system becomes weakened, the bacteria can travel down into the lungs, infecting and inflaming the air sacs, leading to the development of pneumonia.

Risk Factors for Bacterial Pneumonia

Certain individuals have a higher risk of developing bacterial pneumonia, including:

• Individuals aged 65 or older
• Those with underlying conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
• Individuals recovering from surgery
• Those with poor nutritional status or vitamin/mineral deficiencies
• Smokers and heavy drinkers
• Individuals with a weakened immune system, such as those who have recently undergone an organ transplant, are HIV-positive, or have leukemia, lymphoma, or severe kidney disease

Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia

The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop quickly or gradually over a few days. Common symptoms include:

• High fever up to 105°F
• Coughing with greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus
• Chills and shivering
• Difficulty breathing, especially during movement
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain, especially when coughing or taking a deep breath
• Profuse sweating
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Confusion, especially in older adults
• Bluish discoloration of the lips and fingernails

Pneumonia Vaccination: PCV13 and PPSV23

There are two main types of vaccines that can help prevent bacterial pneumonia:

1. PCV13 (Prevnar 13): Recommended for individuals aged 65 or older, children under 5 years old, and those with a high risk of bacterial pneumonia.
2. PPSV23 (Pneumovax): Recommended for individuals aged 65 or older, children older than 2 with a high risk of bacterial pneumonia, and adults between 19 and 64 who smoke or have asthma.

It’s important to talk to your doctor to determine if you or your child should receive these pneumonia vaccines.

Diagnosing Bacterial Pneumonia

Doctors can often diagnose bacterial pneumonia through a physical examination and by asking questions about your symptoms and medical history. They may use a stethoscope to listen for specific sounds in your lungs that indicate the presence of fluid. Additional tests that may be ordered include:

• Chest X-ray
• Pulse oximetry (to measure oxygen levels in the blood)
• Blood tests
• Sputum tests (to analyze the mucus you cough up)
• CT scan of the lungs

Treating Bacterial Pneumonia

The primary treatment for bacterial pneumonia is antibiotics. It’s crucial that you complete the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, as failing to do so can allow the bacteria to survive and potentially cause the infection to return. Your doctor may also recommend medications to help reduce pain and fever. In addition to medical treatment, there are some self-care measures you can take to aid your recovery:

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of fluids to help loosen the mucus in your lungs
• Use a humidifier or take warm baths to help break up the mucus
• Avoid smoking
• Stay home until your fever subsides and you are no longer coughing up mucus

Most people with bacterial pneumonia start feeling better within a few days, but it can take several weeks to fully recover. It’s important to attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor to ensure your lungs are healing properly.

Severe Cases of Bacterial Pneumonia

In some cases, bacterial pneumonia can be severe, and the patient may need to be hospitalized. In these instances, the patient may receive additional treatments, such as:

• Oxygen therapy
• Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications
• Treatments to help loosen the mucus in the lungs

Hospitalization is more common for individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of complications from bacterial pneumonia.