Does Having Pneumonia Make You More Susceptible to Having Pneumonia Again

Overview

In a person with pneumonia, the airways (bronchi) slap-up and the air spaces (alveoli) fill with mucus and other fluids.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in i or both of your lungs caused past bacteria, viruses or fungi. When there is an infection in the lungs, several things happen, including:

• Your airways swell (go inflamed)
• The air sacs in the lungs make full with mucus and other fluids

How practise the lungs piece of work?

Your lungs' main job is to get oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide. This happens during breathing. You breathe 12 to 20 times per minute when you lot are non sick. When you breathe in, air travels downward the back of your pharynx and passes through your vox box and into your windpipe (trachea). Your trachea splits into 2 air passages (bronchial tubes). One bronchial tube leads to the left lung, the other to the right lung. For the lungs to perform their best, the airways need to be open up equally you exhale in and out. Swelling (inflammation) and fungus can brand it harder to move air through the airways, making information technology harder to breathe. This leads to shortness of breath, difficulty animate and feeling more tired than normal.

How common is pneumonia?

Approximately i million adults in the United States are hospitalized each year for pneumonia and l,000 die from the illness. It is the second most common reason for beingness admitted to the hospital -- childbirth is number 1. Pneumonia is the nearly common reason children are admitted to the hospital in the United States. Seniors who are hospitalized for pneumonia confront a higher hazard of death compared to whatsoever of the top ten other reasons for hospitalization.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Certain types of pneumonia are contagious (spread from person to person). Pneumonia caused by bacteria or viruses tin can be contagious when the disease-carrying organisms are breathed into your lungs. Withal, non everyone who is exposed to the germs that cause pneumonia will develop it.

Pneumonia caused by fungi are not contagious. The fungi are in soil, which becomes airborne and inhaled, but it is non spread from person to person.

How is pneumonia spread from person to person?

Pneumonia is spread when droplets of fluid containing the pneumonia bacteria or virus are launched in the air when someone coughs or sneezes and so inhaled past others. You can also get pneumonia from touching an object previously touched by the person with pneumonia (transferring the germs) or touching a tissue used by the infected person and then touching your mouth or nose.

How long do I remain contagious if I take pneumonia?

If you have bacterial pneumonia, you are still considered contagious until most the second day after starting to have antibiotics and yous no longer take a fever (if you had one). If you lot take viral pneumonia, you are still considered contagious until you feel better and have been costless of fever for several days.

Who is most at risk for getting pneumonia?

People who take an increased risk of pneumonia include:

• People over the age of 65 and infants under age 2. The weakening immune system of older people makes them less able to fight off illnesses. Similarly, the immune organisation of infants is still developing and not at full-forcefulness, making them more susceptible to infection.
• People with a health-caused weakened allowed arrangement. Examples include:
  • People who are receiving chemotherapy
  • Transplanted organ recipients
  • People who take HIV/AIDS
  • People with autoimmune disease (such every bit lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis) and who are taking medications that suppress the immune system.
• People who have health conditions that bear upon the lungs or middle. Examples include:
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary illness
  • Emphysema
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Interstitial pneumonia
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Middle affliction
  • Sarcoidosis
• People who accept neurological conditions that make swallowing hard. These people are at risk for pneumonia acquired by aspiration. Examples include:
  • Dementia
  • Parkinson's illness
  • Stroke
• People who are in the hospital. In detail, people in the ICU or anyone recovering who spends a large amounts of time lying on their backs. This position allows fluids, mucus or germs to settle in the lungs. People who need ventilators to breathe are at even greater risk since they have a difficult fourth dimension coughing up germs that could cause a lung infection.
• People who smoke or drinkable alcohol. Smoking damages lung tissue and long-term booze abuse weakens the allowed system.
• People who are exposed to toxic fumes, chemicals or secondhand smoke. These contaminants weaken lung function and make it easier to develop a lung infection.
• Significant women. Existence meaning increases the gamble of developing pneumonia. This is due to the immune system of a mother non working at total strength considering the torso is working harder to support the growth of the baby.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia can exist caused by a wide variety of bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia is nigh unremarkably classified by the blazon of germ that causes it and by the location where the person became infected.

Community-acquired pneumonia is the well-nigh common type of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs outside of a hospital or other healthcare facility. Causes include:

• Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia.
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other singular bacteria: Other types of leaner with unique features can cause different types of pneumonia. These include Mycoplasma pneumoniae (causes "walking" pneumonia), Chlamydia pneumoniae (causes Chlamydia pneumonia) and Legionella pneumoniae (causes Legionnaires' disease).
• Viruses: Any virus that causes a respiratory tract infection (infections of the nose, throat, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) can crusade pneumonia. The viruses that cause colds and influenza (flu) tin can cause pneumonia.
• Fungi (molds): Pneumonia caused past fungi is the least mutual as pneumonia. Fungus in the soil in sure parts of the U.s. can become airborne and cause pneumonia. One example is valley fever.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops during a stay in the hospital for some other illness. This blazon of pneumonia can be more than serious considering the person is already sick and antibiotics typically used may exist less effective. Bacteria adapt and change over time when exposed to antibiotics, making them less effective (called antimicrobial resistance). People in hospitals spread their drug-resistant bacteria to others, leading to more severe and difficult-to-treat cases of pneumonia. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators) are at increased risk for infirmary-acquired pneumonia.

Long-term care facility-caused pneumonia occurs in long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes) or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. Like hospitalized patients, drug-resistant bacteria are found in this setting.

Aspiration pneumonia is another type of pneumonia. Aspiration is when solid food, liquids, saliva or vomit go down the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs instead of going downward the esophagus and into the tum. If you lot can't cough up these substances, these particles remain in lung tissue and tin can become infected and pneumonia may develop.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial versus viral pneumonia in adults?

Symptoms of pneumonia tin range from mild (cold- or flu-like symptoms) sometimes called "walking pneumonia" to severe. How serious your example of pneumonia depends on the item germ causing pneumonia, your overall wellness, and your age.

Bacterial pneumonia: Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or of a sudden. Symptoms include:

• Loftier fever (up to 105° F)
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Trouble breathing: rapid animate or shortness of jiff
• Sweating
• Chills
• Cough with fungus (might be greenish in color or incorporate a small-scale amount of blood)
• Breast pain and/or abdominal pain, especially with cough or deep breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Confused mental land or changes in awareness (particularly in older adults)

Viral pneumonia: Symptoms usually develop over a menstruation of several days. Early symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, which include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Weakness

Boosted symptoms appearing about a day later on include:

• College fever
• Cough with mucus
• Shortness of breath

How can I tell if I take pneumonia versus the mutual cold or the influenza?

Do I take a cold or could it be the flu or fifty-fifty pneumonia? It'southward tough to tell the departure but critical to know when to seek medical care

Watch for these ongoing symptoms that occur in pneumonia:

• Serious congestion or chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• A fever of 102 or higher.
• Coughing that produces pus.

Pneumonia symptoms last longer than cold and flu. If your symptoms aren't severe, information technology'due south okay to endeavor such domicile remedies as getting more rest, drinking more than fluids and taking some over-the-counter medicines and see what happens. Simply if you don't see comeback in your symptoms later three to five days, or if yous are experiencing more than serious symptoms such as dizziness or astringent difficulty breathing, run across your healthcare provider. Don't let it go. Pneumonia-like symptoms in very young children or in adults older than 65 are a crusade for concern. As well, pneumonia tin can cause permanent lung impairment if left untreated for too long. And e'er seek immediate care if you experience chest pain or accept animate difficulties.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children vary from child to child and also depend on your kid'due south age, cause of the infection, and severity of their illness.

Usual symptoms include:

• Fever, chills, full general discomfort, sweating/flushed pare.
• Cough.
• Rapid animate (tachypnea).
• Difficulty breathing, which can be seen as:
  • A widening of nostrils while breathing (nasal flaring)
  • Inward movement of chest wall when a child breaths in (lower chest in-cartoon). With normal animate, breast moves outward when breathing in.
• Wheezing.
• Pain in breast, especially when coughing or breathing deeply.
• Bluish tint to lips or nails due to decreased oxygen level in the claret.
• Loss of appetite.
• Airsickness.
• Increased tiredness (fatigue).

Babies and toddlers may show these symptoms:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty feeding.
• Trouble breathing. Makes a grunting sound with breathing; noisy or rattly animate.
• Temporarily stop breathing during sleep.
• Decreased amount of urine production.
• Pale color
• Appear limp.
• Cry more than usual. Are restless or more than fussy.

Adolescents have the same symptoms as adults, including:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.

Newborns are at greater risk of pneumonia caused by bacteria present in the nativity culvert. In immature children, viruses are the chief cause of pneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by bacteria tends to happen all of a sudden, starting with fever and fast breathing. Symptoms announced more slowly and tend to exist less astringent when pneumonia is caused past viruses.

Are symptoms of pneumonia unlike in seniors?

Older adults may have milder symptoms and may not have a fever. A sudden change in mental country is sometimes a sign of pneumonia in this age grouping.

Is it possible to have pneumonia without having a fever?

Information technology's not the norm but, yes, it's possible to have pneumonia with a depression fever or even no fever. If this occurs, it's usually in the very young (newborns and infants) and in older adults or adults with a weakened immune organisation.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Anyone can feel complications from pneumonia. However, people in high-chance groups are more likely to develop complications, including:

• Breathing difficulties: Pneumonia can make breathing hard. Pneumonia plus an existing lung disorder (such every bit COPD, emphysema, asthma) can make animate fifty-fifty more difficult. Breathing difficulties may crave a infirmary stay to receive oxygen therapy or animate and healing aid with the use of a breathing motorcar (ventilator).
• Fluid buildup in the lungs (called pleural effusion or "h2o on the lungs"): Pneumonia can cause a buildup in the fluid between the membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity. Information technology is a serious condition that makes breathing difficult. Pleural effusion can exist treated by draining backlog fluid with a catheter, chest tube or by surgery.
• Leaner in the bloodstream (bacteremia): The bacteria that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.
• Lung abscess. A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung that is acquired by a bacterial infection. Information technology can be treated by draining the pus with a long needle or removing it past surgery.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a thorough exam. During your test he or she volition:

• Ask almost your health history and comport a concrete exam.
• Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope.
• Mayhap club a chest X-ray to look for signs of pneumonia and the extent of the infection.
• Carry a pulse oximetry test to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood (indicates how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your bloodstream).
• Club laboratory tests of your blood and/or mucus to determine the type of infection – leaner, virus, or fungus – that has caused pneumonia.

If yous are a high-take chances patient, your dr. may order other tests.

Management and Treatment

How is pneumonia treated?

How pneumonia is treated depends on the germs that cause it.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Bacterial pneumonia is unremarkably treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic choice depends on such factors as your general health, other health weather condition yous may have, the type of medications you are currently taking (if any), your recent (if any) use of antibiotics, whatever evidence of antibiotic resistance in the local community and your age. Medicines to salve hurting and lower fever may also exist helpful. Ask your doctor if y'all should take a cough suppressant. Information technology'south of import to exist able to coughing to articulate your lungs.
• Viral pneumonia: Antibiotics are not used to fight viruses. (In some cases antibiotics may be given to fight a bacterial infection that is also present.) At that place are no treatments for nigh viral causes of pneumonia. However, if the flu virus is thought to exist the cause, antiviral drugs might be prescribed, such equally oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), or peramivir (Rapivab®), to subtract the length and severity of the disease. Over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain and lower fever are usually recommended. Other medicines and therapies such as breathing treatments and exercises to loosen fungus may exist prescribed by your md.
• Fungal pneumonia: Antifungal medication is prescribed if a fungus is the cause of your pneumonia.

Is pneumonia treated any differently in children?

Essentially no. Just like adults, bacterial causes of pneumonia in children may be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are non used to treat pneumonia caused by viruses. Influenza-related pneumonia may be treated with antiviral medicine if caught early on in the form of disease. Most cases of pneumonia are treated with "comfort intendance" measures that ease symptoms. These may include:

• Drinking more than fluids.
• Getting more balance.
• Taking over-the-counter medicines for cough and acetaminophen for fever. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns most giving medicines to your child.
• Using a cool mist humidifier in your child's room.

How soon after treatment for pneumonia volition I begin to feel improve?

How before long you volition feel better depends on several factors, including:

• Your age
• The cause of your pneumonia
• The severity of your pneumonia
• If you have other "at-hazard" conditions

If you are mostly healthy, virtually symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually brainstorm to meliorate within 24 to 48 hours later on starting treatment. Symptoms of viral pneumonia normally brainstorm to meliorate within a few days after starting treatment. A cough tin can last for several weeks. Most people report being tired for about a month after contracting pneumonia.

When would I need to be hospitalized for pneumonia?

If your case of pneumonia is more than severe, you lot may demand to stay in the hospital for treatment. Hospital treatments may include:

• Oxygen
• Fluids, antibiotics and other medicines given through an Iv (direct into the vein)
• Breathing treatments and exercises to help loosen mucus

People most likely to exist hospitalized are those who are nigh frail and/or at increased risk, including:

• Babies and young children
• People over historic period 65
• People with weakened allowed systems
• People with health weather that affect the centre and lungs

It may take half-dozen to 8 weeks to return to a normal level of functioning and well-being if you've been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Prevention

Are vaccines bachelor to prevent pneumonia?

Yep, in that location are two types of vaccines (shots) specifically canonical to forbid pneumonia acquired by pneumococcal bacteria. Similar to a flu shot, these vaccines won't protect against all types of pneumonia, simply if you do come downwards with pneumonia, information technology's less probable to be as severe or potentially life-threatening – peculiarly for people who are at increased adventure for pneumonia.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Two pneumonia vaccines, Pneumovax23® and Prevnar13®, protect against the most mutual causes of bacterial pneumonia.
  • Pneumovax23® protects against 23 different types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and children over 2 years of age who are at increased gamble for pneumonia.
  • Prevnar13® protects confronting xiii types of pneumonia bacteria. Information technology is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and children under 2 years of age. Ask your healthcare provider nigh these vaccines.
• Viral pneumonia: Get a flu vaccine (shot) once every year. Flu vaccines are prepared to protect against that yr's virus strain. Having the influenza tin brand information technology easier to go bacterial pneumonia.

If you have children, ask their doctor about other vaccines they should get. Several childhood vaccines help forestall infections caused by the bacteria and viruses that can pb to pneumonia.

Also vaccination, what else can I do to prevent bacterial and viral pneumonia?

Receiving all recommended vaccinations is 1 of the best ways to prevent pneumonia. Additionally, there are several other ways to preclude pneumonia, including:

• Quitting smoking, and fugitive secondhand fume. Smoking damages your lungs.
• Washing your easily earlier eating, earlier handling food, after using the restroom, and subsequently being outside. If soap is non available, apply an alcohol-based mitt sanitizer.
• Avoiding beingness around people who are sick. Ask them to visit when they are feeling ameliorate.
• Non touching or sharing objects that are shared with others. Germs can be transferred from object to you if yous touch on your olfactory organ or mouth without washing or sanitizing your easily first.
• Eating a healthy diet, exercise, and get enough rest. Healthy habits keep your immune arrangement strong.
• Getting treated for any other infections or health conditions you may take. These conditions could weaken your allowed system, which could increase your chance of infections.
• Avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for pneumonia?

People who are otherwise salubrious often recover rapidly when given prompt and proper care. Nonetheless, pneumonia is a serious status and can be life-threatening if left untreated and especially for those individuals at increased gamble for pneumonia.

Even patients who have been successfully treated and take fully recovered may face up long-term wellness issues. Children who have recovered from pneumonia take an increased risk of chronic lung diseases. Adults may feel:

• Decreased ability to do
• Worsening of cardiovascular disease
• Mental decline
• General decline in quality of life for months or years

Living With

What tin I practice to feel meliorate if I accept pneumonia?

• Finish all medications and therapies prescribed by your md. Practice non stop taking antibiotics when you start feeling better. Continue taking them until no pills remain. If you don't take all your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come back.
• If over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever have been recommended (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen), take as directed on the characterization. Never give aspirin to children.
• Drink enough of fluids to help loosen phlegm.
• Quit smoking if y'all smoke. Don't be around others who smoke or vape. Environs yourself with as much make clean, chemical-costless air as possible.
• Utilise a humidifier, take a steamy shower or bath to make it easier for you to breathe.
• Get lots of rest. Don't rush your recovery. It tin have weeks to go your full strength back.

If at any time you start to feel worse, phone call your doctor correct away.

When tin can I return to work, school and regular activities if I have pneumonia?

You typically can resume your normal activities if your symptoms are gone, balmy or improving and yous do non accept new or worsening:

• Shortness of breath or tiredness (less energy)
• Breast hurting
• Mucus, fever or cough

If you are generally healthy, most people experience well enough to render to previous activities in nearly a week. However, it may take about a month to feel totally back to normal.

When should I see a physician?

Call your md if you:

• Have new or worsening:
  • Shortness of breath with activities or when lying downwards
  • Fever or cough with fungus
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
• Have a change in appetite (less hunger)
• Feel uneasy and know that something is not right

If you or your loved 1 with symptoms is in a high, "at-risk" group, meet your doctor as before long as possible. Pneumonia tin become a life-threatening status.

When should I get to the emergency room?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you lot:

• Struggle to breathe or are brusque of jiff while sitting withal
• Have new or worsening chest pain
• Are dislocated or cannot think clearly

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-pneumonia

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