Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die from pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people.
There are many kinds of pneumonia, ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria usually come on quickly, and may include:
- Cough, sometimes producing rusty, green, or blood-tinged mucus
- Fever
- Fast breathing, fast heart rate, and/or shortness of breath
- Shaking and chills
- Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in
- Feeling very tired and/or weak
- Nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by viruses are usually the same as those caused by bacteria, but they may come on slowly and they often are not as obvious or as severe. Ironically, high-risk groups such as older adults may have fewer or milder symptoms than less-vulnerable people do. Instead of the high fever that often characterizes pneumonia, older adults may even have a lower-than-normal temperature. Or they may have a cough but not bring up mucus. The main sign of pneumonia in older adults may be a change in how well they think. Confusion is common.
People who experience a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain that fluctuates with breathing, or an unexplained fever, and people who suddenly feel worse after a cold or the flu should seek medical care immediately.
To diagnose pneumonia, the healthcare provider will ask about symptoms and perform a physical exam. He or she may order a chest X-ray and blood tests. Older adults or people with severe symptoms or serious medical conditions may need more tests. The health provider may also test mucus from the sick person's lungs to learn what germ is causing the pneumonia.
Healthcare providers may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. People with pneumonia should not stop taking the antibiotic because they feel better, but they should take the drug exactly as prescribed. People who don't feel better after two to three days of antibiotics or those who begin feeling worse should see their health provider.
Antibiotics aren't effective against viral forms of pneumonia. Although a few viral pneumonias may be treated with antiviral medications, the recommended treatment is generally the same as for the flu – rest and plenty of fluids. Someone with severe pneumonia may need to spend three or four days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics and then continue recovering at home with oral medication.
People usually do not "catch" pneumonia from someone else. Instead, someone develops the disease because their immune system is temporarily weakened. The following suggestions can help prevent pneumonia:
- Get a flu vaccine. Because pneumonia can be a complication of the flu, getting a yearly flu shot is a good way to prevent viral influenza pneumonia, which can lead to bacterial pneumonia.
- Get vaccinated against pneumonia. A person should receive this vaccination at least once after age 55. Medicare may pay for this if you are a Medicare beneficiary with Part "B" coverage.
- Wash hands frequently. Our hands are in almost constant contact with germs that can cause pneumonia. Washing hands thoroughly and often can help reduce risk.
- Don't smoke. Smoking damages the lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.
- Get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, and be physically active. Try to get at least a half-hour of moderate exercise most days to strengthen the immune system.
- Protect others from infection. If you have a cold, the flu, or another respiratory infection, try to stay away from anyone with a compromised immune system.
People with pneumonia can recover more quickly and decrease their risk of complications by taking the following measures:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Liquids help prevent dehydration and help loosen mucus in the lungs.
- Take the entire course of any prescribed medications. Stopping medication too soon can cause the pneumonia to come back, which contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Keep all follow-up appointments. Even though you begin to feel better, your lungs may still be infected.
For more information, visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, a division of the National Institutes of Health: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/pneumonia/Pages/Default.aspx.
