From the Editor

Pneumonia is defined as an acute respiratory illness associated with recently developed radiological pulmonary (Lung) shadowing which either is segmental or affects more than one lobe. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick. You may cough, run a fever and have a hard time breathing. For most people pneumonia can be treated at home. It often clears up in 2 to 3 weeks. But older adults, babies and people with other diseases can become very ill. They may need to be in the hospital.

Germs such as bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia. It usually starts when you breath the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease cancer or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.  Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria may include cough (expectorating and sometime with blood stained mucous or rusty green). There may be fever also and shaking and “teeth-chattering” chills. Chest pain-worse with cough and breath, faster heart beat, feeling of tiredness or weakness, nausea and vomiting.

Usually blood test and chest X-rays are enough for confirming pneumonia suspected during physical examination. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria treatment is usually done with antibiotic.  Viral pneumonia is not treated with antibiotic. Home treatment, such as rest and taking care of cough and mainting nutrition is all that is to be done in such case.

From the Editor

Pneumonia is defined as an acute respiratory illness associated with recently developed radiological pulmonary (Lung) shadowing which either is segmental or affects more than one lobe. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make you very sick. You may cough, run a fever and have a hard time breathing. For most people pneumonia can be treated at home. It often clears up in 2 to 3 weeks. But older adults, babies and people with other diseases can become very ill. They may need to be in the hospital. Germs such as bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia. It usually starts when you breath the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease cancer or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria may include cough (expectorating and sometime with blood stained mucous or rusty green). There may be fever also and shaking and teeth-chattering chills. Chest pain-worse with cough and breath, faster heart beat, feeling of tiredness or weakness, nausea and vomiting. Usually blood test and chest X-rays are enough for confirming pneumonia suspected during physical examination. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria treatment is usually done with antibiotic. Viral pneumonia is not treated with antibiotic. Home treatment, such as rest and taking care of cough and mainting nutrition is all that is to be done in such case.