What is Pneumonia? Causes, Treatments & Long Term Impacts
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection which causes inflammation in the lungs, and air sacs called alveoli. But what are the symptoms to look out for, and how is it treated?
5 minute read In the United Kingdom, pneumonia affects approximately 220,000 people every year according to research from the British Lung Foundation.
Let’s explore in detail what pneumonia is, who it is most likely to affect, and how to try and protect yourself against it. Having knowledge of illnesses like pneumonia can be crucial. So, let’s get into it.
What exactly is pneumonia?
Our lungs are vital for the process of producing enough oxygen for us to breathe and survive. Imagine that powerhouse of processing under siege by inflammation. That’s what pneumonia does, it is a respiratory infection which causes inflammation in the lungs, and air sacs called alveoli.
Once the alveoli become inflamed, they can cause your lungs to fill up with fluids or pus making it difficult to breathe. Your lungs can no longer exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. Either one or both lungs can be affected.
As well as difficulty breathing, other symptoms include having a cough, faster heartbeat, fever sweating and shivering, loss of appetite, and chest pain.
Rarer symptoms include headaches, nausea or vomiting, wheezing, joint or muscle pain and feeling confused or disorientated.
Who does pneumonia affect?
Anyone from toddlers to the elderly can suffer from pneumonia. However, those who have weak immune systems and are immunocompromised are more vulnerable. Pneumonia is very much a health concern in the UK, and so raising awareness on how to recognise the symptoms early is important to detect pneumonia and manage it effectively.
What causes pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be caused by a multitude of factors, there is no one single cause. Viruses, bacteria, and even fungi can play a role in contracting pneumonia, it is that diverse.
The most common bacteria and viruses to do so are:
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Staphylococcus aureus
Inhaling irritants such as chemicals can also help to contribute to getting pneumonia.
Is pneumonia deadly?
The majority of people who get pneumonia do make a full recovery with treatment. However, unfortunately, pneumonia can be deadly in some cases. It can be a life-threatening illness for people who have underlying health conditions, or a weakened immune system.
Is pneumonia a seasonal condition?
You can get pneumonia at any time of the year but we do see an increase in cases during the colder winter months. This is quite common with respiratory illnesses, cold and flu are also more prevalent during this time of year and many open the door for someone to get pneumonia.
Unlike the summer time, during the winter we tend to stay indoors more often and people stay closer together which can help to spread diseases.
Is there a vaccine for pneumonia?
One of the best ways to protect yourself against contracting pneumonia is by getting the pneumonia vaccine, which is called the pneumococcal vaccine. It is recommended for babies and the elderly, and immunocompromised.
Not only does the pneumonia vaccine help against pneumonia, but also against meningitis (an infection that affects your brain and spinal cord), and sepsis (a reaction against an infection).
Is pneumonia contagious?
This is a common question, but the answer is not that straightforward. Pneumonia itself is not contagious. However, the germs which cause it, (bacteria, viruses or fungus) can be contagious. Pneumonia is usually spread when people who are infected cough or sneeze releasing droplets into the air.
To minimize the risk of spreading pneumonia, it's recommended to practice good hygiene habits, like regularly washing your hands and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Using hand sanitizer, and not sharing cups and kitchen utensils also helps.
You can also get pneumonia as a secondary infection if you have a different infection such as COVID-19 or flu which weakens your immune system.
If pneumonia is caused by foreign objects such as inhaling chemical fumes it is not contagious.
What is aspiration pneumonia?
For awareness, let’s talk about a very specific type of pneumonia – aspiration pneumonia.
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when foreign substances, such as liquids, vomit, or food are accidentally inhaled into the lungs. This can often happen in people with other underlying health conditions, who for example find it hard to swallow, suffer from loss of consciousness or have a weak gag reflex. It is important to be aware of this.
Treatments for pneumonia
Depending on what is causing your pneumonia, there are different treatments so it is important to talk to your healthcare professional for a personalised treatment plan.
If you have pneumonia which has been caused by bacteria, your doctor will give you antibiotics, and if you have viral pneumonia, they can give you antivirals. As well as taking the appropriate medication it is important to rest well and to take plenty of fluids.
Signs that you are recovering from pneumonia
It takes time to heal from pneumonia, you cannot recover from it overnight. It is important to recognise the symptoms early to begin treatment. You should soon start to feel better by being able to breathe more freely and having a reduced fever. Patience and rest are key, as if you don’t rest it can worsen your symptoms and hinder the healing process.
How Long Does Pneumonia Linger?
Everyone always asks – how long with pneumonia last? Unfortunately, it is difficult to provide an answer to this question is difficult to answer as pneumonia affects everyone differently. There are many factors to consider when trying to determine how fast recovery will go.
Overall level of health, underlying conditions and also when treatment was started all contribute to how long the healing process with take. Some people can recover within a week or two, whilst for others it can take up to several months. There really is no other way to recover other than to stick to your treatment plan, rest and try to be patient.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: A silent intruder
Sometimes if you are already in the hospital with an illness you can become immunocompromised, and it’s easier for you to catch a secondary illness such as pneumonia. People who have weakened immune systems, and especially those with respiratory-related illnesses on ventilators can be exposed to pneumonia, which can then create complications. Hospitals need to stick to strict infection control measures and reduce the risk of cross-infection.
