Pneumonia is a common respiratory infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. It is caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. The disease is a prominent cause of long-term suffering and death across the globe. The inflammation will build pus and fluid in the air and impair the lungs.
India accounts for over 23% of the global pneumonia cases, leading to a fatality rate that ranges from 14% to 30%. The disease will occur in a variety of forms, such as mild, moderate and severe. Based on the symptoms, a pneumonia test has to be conducted. At Agilus Diagnostics, we offer different pneumonia tests to diagnose the severity.
The severity of pneumonia can vary based on symptoms, starting from cases that can be self-limiting and cases that can be resolved with minimal medical intervention to cases causing life-threatening situations that require intensive care. Therefore, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to effectively control types of pneumonia and prevent complications. In this blog, we will discuss the symptoms, complications, diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms Of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is diagnosed based on mild to severe symptoms. Here are the common symptoms of pneumonia:
- Chest pain while breathing or coughing
- Mucus producing cough
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Confusion or changes in mental awareness in people aged 65 and above
- Cough, which produces phlegm
- Shaking chills
- Fever, sweating, and chills
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
- Shortness of breath
- Body temperature lower than normal body temperature in case of adults who are older than age 65 and patients with weak immune systems
Based on these symptoms, older adults who have weak immune systems will face confusion and significant changes in mental awareness. These people also have a lower body temperature. Newborns and infants will not show any symptoms or signs of the infection. But, they may vomit and show symptoms of cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Moreover, they may feel tired and restless. If you notice any of these symptoms in newborns, senior adults or yourself, visit our nearest laboratory for pneumonia tests.
Major Causes of Pneumonia
There are major causes of pneumonia, which are categorised based on bacteria, parasites, viruses or fungi. The types of pneumonia are bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, and fungal pneumonia. The common causes of the disease include:
- Cold and Flu viruses
- RSV virus – this virus is a major cause of pneumonia in newborn babies
- Bacteria –Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae
Apart from these causes, some people are admitted to the hospital who suffer from “ventilator-associated pneumonia”. If the person gets the infection when he/she is in a hospital but not on a ventilator, it is known as “hospital-acquired” pneumonia. However, people also suffer from “community-acquired pneumonia,” which means the person did not get it from a hospital.
Diagnosis of Pneumonia
When diagnosing pneumonia, the doctor will question your past medical history and symptoms. You will be questioned about past smoking history and fever episodes at the workplace, school or home. The doctor will also examine your lungs. If you are suffering from pneumonia, the doctor will hear cracking, rumbling or bubbling sounds when you are breathing in. If the doctor finds you have pneumonia, they will recommend you for tests. The tests will include;
- Blood tests for checking signs of a bacterial infection
- Pulse oximetry for measuring the oxygen level in your blood
- A chest X-ray to find infection signs in your lungs and its spread rate
- A sputum test for finding the fluid in the lungs caused due to an infection
At our lab, we conduct various tests such as Streptococcus Pneumoniae Antigen, CSF, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae IgG Antibodies, Viral Pneumonia Panel Ii, Chlamydia Pneumoniae IgG Antibodies, Chlamydia Pneumoniae IgG Antibodies, etc to identify the particular virus, bacteria, parasite, etc.
If the symptoms are faced from the hospital or due to other health complications, your doctor will ask you to give more tests such as:
- An arterial blood gas examination is used to measure the oxygen from blood taken from the arteries.
- A pleural fluid culture will be performed where the doctor will take a small amount of fluid from the tissues surrounding the lungs to find out the bacterial infection that might lead to pneumonia.
- Bronchoscopy will be performed to test your airways to check for blockages or other issues.
- A CT scan will be conducted to examine your lungs in a detailed image.
Also Read: Pneumonia Fever – Symptoms, Stages, Causes, Treatment, Vaccine
Complications of Pneumonia
Pneumonia will lead to major complications that may include:
- Bacteremia – A condition in which bacteria will spread in your blood, which may lead to organ failure and septic shock.
- Fluid buildup – In this condition, fluid will start building in between the tissue layers that are lining up your chest and lung cavity. In such a case, the fluid will be infected.
- Breathing Trouble – This might include using the breathing machine for healing the lungs.
- Lung abscess – It is a condition when there is a pocket of pus that forms inside the lung.
Treatment of Pneumonia
The doctor will examine which treatment for pneumonia is right for the patient. In case of bacterial pneumonia, the patient will be given antibiotics. The patient will be advised to take all the medication prescribed by the doctor, even if the patient starts feeling better. In the case of viral pneumonia, antibiotics may not help you. The patients will be advised to rest, drink a lot of fluids, and fever-reducing medications.
If the symptoms are severe or the conditions will make you more susceptible to complications, hospitalisation will be advised. The patients will be given antibiotics and intravenous fluids. In some conditions, patients will need oxygen therapy or other respiratory treatment.
Final Thoughts
This is a comprehensive guide to pneumonia to help you understand the symptoms, major causes, complications, and treatment. You have to be aware of these things about pneumonia to check out the signs and symptoms. If you notice any of the signs and complications, immediately book a pneumonia test at our nearest laboratory. Watch the signs, diagnose and book the tests online for further treatment.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
