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2. Symptoms of pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of bacteria causing the pneumonia, the person's age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms are often similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
Chest pain when you breathe or cough
Cough, cough with phlegm
Tired
Fever, sweating and chills
In the elderly or immunocompromised, there may be no fever
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Old people can be confused
Pneumonia in infants and young children may not have any warning signs of pneumonia. However, your child may still show signs such as:
Vomiting
High fever, convulsions
Cough
Tired and irritable children
Children have difficulty breathing, stop feeding, stop eating
Cyanosis, lethargy, chest retraction (2)
3. Causes of pneumonia
3.1. Bacterial pneumonia
Bacteria are the cause of most cases of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Bacterial pneumonia is usually transmitted by droplets (when a healthy person inhales or swallows droplets filled with bacteria after an infected person coughs or sneezes). People with weakened immune systems and people with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to bacterial pneumonia than the general population.
3.2. Pneumonia due to viral infection
Currently, the most dangerous viral pneumonia is the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As of September 4, 2021, pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus has hit the world, infecting 220 million people, of which over 4.56 million people died. In addition, pneumonia can be caused by many other viruses that cause colds and flu. (3)
3.3. Fungal pneumonia
This type of pneumonia, caused by inhaling fungal spores, is common in people with chronic health problems or a weakened immune system. Fungal pneumonia develops very quickly, when inhaled, the fungal spores attach to the lungs. Smokers, living in dusty, moldy environments are susceptible to fungal pneumonia.
3.4. Chemical pneumonia
Chemical pneumonia is also known as aspiration pneumonia. This is a very rare pneumonia, but the level of danger is high. Chemical pneumonia occurs in varying degrees. The severity of the condition will depend on: the type of chemical, the exposure time, the patient's condition, the first aid measures taken... In addition, the chemicals that cause pneumonia can also be harmful to many people. other agency.
3.5. Hospital pneumonia
Pneumonia that occurs 48 hours after admission to the hospital without previous symptoms of pneumonia. Nosocomial pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria that are P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp, Enterobacteriacae, Haemophilus spp, S. aureus, Streptococcus spp.
3.6. Community pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia refers to all types of pneumonia that are not hospital-acquired. The causes of community-acquired pneumonia are diverse, the most common being bacterial and viral pneumonia.
