What are the Causes of Pneumonia?

If you are sick, you may be wondering what the main causes of pneumonia are. These include bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma infections. Learn the causes of each of these conditions, and learn how to treat them. Once you have a basic understanding and treatment of pneumonia, you'll be better equipped to deal with the illness. If you are unsure of what you have, check out these helpful articles. They can explain the different types of pneumonia and the treatments available for them.

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is a highly infectious disease. It is common in young children, but it can also occur in adults. Many different types of viruses can cause the infection. This article will discuss some of the most common forms of viral pneumonia and what to do if you suspect that you have it. These illnesses can also be life threatening. There are many different causes of viral pneumonia, including genetics, environmental factors, and poor health.

Typical symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, cough, and fever. More severe cases may include hemodynamic instability and tachypnea. Generally, culture results for respiratory specimens are negative unless superinfection is present. Occasionally, a gram stain will show a few bacteria. Antiviral medication can reduce the severity of the symptoms. Ultimately, viral pneumonia cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be treated.

Antibiotics are often prescribed for viral pneumonia. A prescription cough suppressant may help you cough, but you should only take it when your doctor suggests it. Antibiotics reduce viral activity, and they are most effective when taken during the early stages of the infection. Some people may require hospitalization, especially those over 65 and those with chronic health conditions. The very young can also develop severe cases of viral pneumonia. If you or a loved one develops viral pneumonia, visit your doctor immediately for treatment and advice.

Lung abscess

Lung abscesses are often caused by bacteria that live in the lungs. Several different bacteria can cause them, but the most common are Staph. aureus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. A patient with a bacterial lung abscess is at high risk for developing this ailment.

Treatment of a lung abscess involves the administration of antibiotics, which are usually given intravenously. If the patient is still receiving treatment for pneumonia, antibiotics may be given through the mouth or via a bronchoscope. A chest x-ray is usually required to check for the abscess and determine if it is responding to treatment. In some cases, drainage may be necessary to remove a foreign object.

Although a lung abscess is often treatable with antibiotics, it may also develop from other causes. Several other conditions may cause cavitation in the lungs. The infection usually responds to antibiotic treatments in about 80 percent of cases. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary. This type of procedure is associated with an increased risk of infection and may require surgery. If the patient does not improve clinically, the infection should be evaluated for unusual pathogens and other causes of pulmonary obstruction.

The infection can also be haematogenic. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is another common cause of lung abscess. Other causes of lung abscess include abdominal sepsis, infective endocarditis, and septic thromboembolisms. Most lung abscesses are formed when the abscess ruptures into a bronchus and the contents fills the air-filled cavity. Direct extension of the abscess into the pleural cavity can result in empyema.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma is a bacteria that causes both pneumonia and other respiratory problems. It also causes extrapulmonary illnesses, including encephalitis and transverse myelitis. Although this bacterium causes a high rate of pneumonia, it is rarely fatal. If left untreated, Mycoplasma can cause pneumonia and other complications, including a deteriorated immune system, pericarditis, and congestive heart failure.

People who are younger than 40 are at greater risk of contracting the disease, as well as people who work in crowded areas. Symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia often appear gradually over a period of one to three weeks, but in some people they become more severe. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have this disease, you should visit your doctor for a complete medical assessment. Chest x-rays may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Patients with respiratory disease or poor immune systems are more susceptible to infection with M. pneumoniae. Those with weakened immune systems should avoid close contact with sick people and get their annual flu shot. People with this disease are also more likely to contract pneumonia if they have other health conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or other chronic diseases. Symptoms may include coughing up greenish phlegm and fever. Patients with this infection may also have a cough or sneeze that crackles.