10/04/2024
𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚
Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Your body usually prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good.
Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚
Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by:
🔹𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you've had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
🔹𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚-𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐬. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than do other types of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is an informal name given to this type of pneumonia, which typically isn't severe enough to require bed rest.
🔹𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐢. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms. The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or bird droppings and vary depending upon geographic location.
🔹𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗. Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. Viral pneumonia is usually mild. But in some cases it can become very serious. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) may cause pneumonia, which can become severe.
𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥-𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚
Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞-𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚
Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities or who receive care in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, health care-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.
𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
