By Dinah Uwese
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Cold does not cause Pneumonia. If it did, I’m sure everyone in Russia would have it all the time. So what is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia, a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection, strikes when the air sacs in one or both lungs become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus. This makes breathing difficult and robs your body of the oxygen it needs to function efficiently.
From children to older adults, no one is immune to pneumonia, but it hits the vulnerable the hardest. If you ever wonder how a simple cough can suddenly turn into something more sinister, pneumonia is a strong contender.
So What Causes Pneumonia you ask?
Pneumonia can be caused by various organisms, most commonly bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial pneumonia, especially that caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, is the most prevalent and often follows an upper respiratory infection like the flu.
Viral pneumonia, including that from COVID-19, inflames the lungs but may be less aggressive than its bacterial counterpart.
If you’re immunocompromised or have chronic lung diseases like Asthma or COPD, you’re at a higher risk of catching pneumonia. Age also plays a crucial role—infants, young children, and adults over 65 are more susceptible.
Pneumonia symptoms often mimic a bad cold or flu but are more severe and prolonged.
It can begin with a simple cough, fever, or chills, but as the infection progresses, breathing becomes laboured, and chest pain develops, especially when coughing.
You might notice fatigue, confusion (especially in older adults), nausea, and in severe cases, bluish lips or fingertips due to a lack of oxygen.
To diagnose pneumonia, your doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope.
The tell-tale crackling, bubbling, or rumbling sounds suggest fluid in the lungs.
A chest X-ray is usually ordered to confirm the presence of infection.
Blood tests, sputum tests, and pulse oximetry (measuring the oxygen level in your blood) are also part of the diagnosis toolkit.
The treatment for pneumonia hinges on its cause.
Bacterial pneumonia requires antibiotics, which usually lead to significant improvement within a few days, though complete recovery can take weeks.
Viral pneumonia might just need rest and supportive care, such as fluids and fever reducers, although antiviral medications can help in specific cases like influenza-related pneumonia.
Fungal infections call for antifungal drugs. Hospitalisation may be required for severe cases, particularly for those at high risk.