5 Types of Pneumonia and Their Treatment

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses that affects one or both lungs.

The infection causes the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) to become inflamed. As a result, the alveoli fill up with pus or fluid, making breathing difficult.

Pneumonia Symptoms

The symptoms of pneumonia can vary from mild to severe, based on factors like age, overall health, and the germ type causing the infection. Mild symptoms of pneumonia are similar to those of flu or cold.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Coughing that may produce green or rusty phlegm or sputum
• Sweating or chills
• Shortness of breath that occurs when resting or doing normal activities
• Chest pain that worsens when you cough or breath
• Fatigue or feelings of tiredness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite

Other symptoms can differ depending on general health and age:

• Children below five years may experience wheezing or fast breathing
• Infants may seem to display no symptoms, but at times they may lack energy, vomit, or have trouble eating or drinking.
• Older people can exhibit confusion or a lower temperature than normal

If you are experiencing these symptoms and require immediate care, be sure to call or visit our emergency room near you.

Pneumonia in Children

The immune system of most children can guard them against pneumonia. If a child gets pneumonia, it is a result of a virus.

Symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Not feeding properly
• Irritability
• Fever
• Dehydration

Toddlers may experience pain in their chest and may vomit after coughing.

The treatment includes regular intake of fluids and plenty of rest.

Memorial Village Emergency Room provides compassionate and comprehensive care and is equipped to handle any emergency. If your child needs medical assistance, please visit our emergency room near you.

Pneumonia and COVID

Many people with COVID have moderate or mild symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, and fever. However, some individuals who get coronavirus have severe pneumonia in both lungs. COVID-19 pneumonia infection can be life-threatening.

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Causes

The main causes of pneumonia are viruses and bacteria. The body usually protects the lungs from getting an infection due to those germs. However, sometimes the germs tend to overpower the immune system despite having good health.

Pneumonia can be a result of the following types of infectious agents:

Bacterial Pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Other causes include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Viral Pneumonia

Respiratory viruses such as influenza (flu), rhinoviruses (common cold), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are frequently the cause of pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia is milder, and without treatment, the recovery can take one to three weeks.

Fungal Pneumonia

Pneumonia can be caused by fungi from bird droppings or soil. They are more likely to cause pneumonia in individuals with a weak immune system.

Types of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can be grouped according to how and where it was acquired.

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

Patients can get this type of pneumonia during their stay in a hospital. Compared to the other types, this can be more severe because the bacteria can be more resistant to antibiotics.

People who are on ventilators are at higher risk of acquiring this type of pneumonia.

• Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

It is acquired outside of hospitals or another institutional setting. It may be a result of bacteria, fungi, bacteria-like organisms, or viruses such as the flu, cold, and Covid.

• Aspiration Pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when one inhales bacteria into the lungs from a drink, saliva, or food. People with things that affect their normal gag reflex like a swallowing problem, excessive use of drugs, medications, or alcohol, or a brain injury are more likely to have aspiration.

Pneumonia Treatment

The type of pneumonia, its severity, and general health determine your treatment plan.

A doctor may prescribe medication to aid in treating pneumonia. The prescription depends on the precise cause of pneumonia.

Oral antibiotics can treat almost all cases of bacterial pneumonia. Always finish your entire dose of antibiotics, even if you start to feel better. Failure to do so can prevent clearing of the infection, and treating it in the future may be harder.

Antibiotic medications are not effective on viruses. In certain cases, the doctor may issue a prescription for antiviral. However, most cases of viral pneumonia get better on their own with at-home care.

Your doctor may give you antifungal medications to help fight fungal infections. Taking the medication for several weeks will clear the infection.