Introduction

 Cough
Pneumonia is an abnormal inflammatory condition of the lung.
[1]
It is often characterized as including inflammation of
 Shortness of breath
the parenchyma of the lung (that is, the alveoli) andabnormal

alveolar filling with fluid (consolidation andexudation).[2]  Sweating

The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs  Shaking chills
responsible for absorbing oxygen. Pneumonia can result from
 Chest pain that fluctuates with breathing (pleurisy)
a variety of causes,

including infection with bacteria,viruses, fungi, or parasites,  Headache

and chemical or physical injury to the lungs. Its cause may also

be officially described asidiopathic—that is, unknown—when  Muscle pain

infectious causes have been excluded.

 Fatigue
Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia
includecough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in
breathing.Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of
thesputum. Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia;
bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in all age
Ironically, people in high-risk groups such as older
adults and people with chronic illnesses or weakened
immune systems may have fewer or milder symptoms
than less vulnerable people do. And instead of having
the high fever that often characterizes pneumonia,
older adults may even have a lower than normal
temperature

groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and

people who are chronically and terminally ill. Additionally, it is Dx

the leading cause of death in children under five years old

worldwide.[3] Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia
are available. The prognosis depends on the type of
pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and
the person's underlying health. The mortality rate of the
primary viral pneumonia form is about 70%.[4]
Signs and Symptoms:
Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly, depending on
any underlying conditions you may have and the type
of organism causing the infection. Pneumonia often
mimics the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever, so
you may not realize you have a more serious
condition.
Common signs and symptoms of pneumonia may
include:
 Fever
A chest x-ray is usually ordered to confirm the diagnosis of
pneumonia. The lungs have several segments referred to as
lobes, usually two on the left and three on the right. When the
pneumonia affects one of these lobes it is often referred to as
lobar pneumonia. Some pneumonias have a more patchy
distribution that does not involve specific lobes. In the past,
when both lungs where involved in the infection, the term
"double pneumonia" was used. This term is rarely used today.
Sputum samples can be collected and examined under the
microscope. If the pneumonia is caused by bacteria or fungi,
the organisms can often be detected by this examination. A
sample of the sputum can be grown in special incubators, and
the offending organism can be subsequently identified. It is
important to understand that the sputum specimen must
contain little saliva from the mouth and be delivered to the
laboratory fairly quickly. Otherwise, overgrowth of noninfecting
bacteria may predominate.
 A blood test that measures white blood cell count (WBC) may you take antibiotics depends on your general health, how

be performed. An individual's white blood cell count can often
give a hint as to the severity of the pneumonia and whether it is
caused by bacteria or a virus. An increased number of
neutrophils, one type of WBC, is seen in bacterial infections,
whereas an increase in lymphocytes, another type of WBC, is
serious your pneumonia is, and the type of antibiotic you are
taking.
Your doctor will choose your antibiotic based on a number of
things, including your age, your symptoms and how severe
they are, and whether you need to go to the hospital.

seen in viral infections.

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, flexible, lighted
viewing tube is inserted into the nose or mouth after a local
anesthetic is administered. The breathing passages can then
be directly examined by the doctor, and specimens from the
Although experts differ on their antibiotic recommendations,
the first antibiotic used usually is one that works against a wide
range of bacteria (broad-spectrum antibiotic). All antibiotics
used have a high cure rate for pneumonia.6
If you do not have to go to the hospital, your doctor may use

infected part of the lung can be obtained. any of the following antibiotics:

Treatment • Macrolides, such as azithromycin, clarithromycin, and

erythromycin.
If you have pneumonia, the following measures can
• Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline.
help you recover more quickly and decrease your risk
of complications: • Fluoroquinolones, such as gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, and
moxifloxacin.

 Get plenty of rest. Even when you start to feel
better, be careful not to overdo it.
 Stay home from school or work until after your
temperature returns to normal and you stop
coughing up mucus. This advice depends partially on
how sick you were. If uncertain, ask your doctor.
Because pneumonia can recur within a week or so, it
may be better not to return to a full workload until
you're sure you're well.
 Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Liquids
keep you from becoming dehydrated and help loosen
mucus in your lungs.
 Take the entire course of any prescribed
medications.Stopping medication too soon can cause
your pneumonia to come back and contributes to the
development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
If you have to go to the hospital, your doctor may use any of
the above antibiotics. Other antibiotics that your doctor may
use in this situation include:
• Cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and
cefepime.
• Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin.
• Vancomycin.
Antibiotics usually work well with younger, otherwise healthy
people who have strong immune systems. You most likely will
see some improvement in symptoms in 2 to 3 days. Unless
you get worse during this time, your doctor usually will not
change your treatment for at least 3 days. If there is no
improvement or if your symptoms get worse, you may
need culture and sensitivity testing. These tests help identify
the organism that is causing your symptoms. These tests also
help your doctor find out whether the bacteria may
be resistant to the antibiotic

 Keep all of your follow-up appointments. Even

though you feel better, your lungs may still be
infected. It's important to have your doctor monitor
your progress.

Treatment

Doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria,

the most common cause of the condition. The number of days