Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years of age worldwide. In November, it was reported that a respiratory infection with pneumonia was circulating mainly among Chinese children. According to the information compiled by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases as of the 24th, cases of infection in children such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus infection began to appear in October. No new pathogens have been reported. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of infections is expected to increase further as we head into winter.
Even adults can contract pneumonia, and older people are especially at risk. In some cases, symptoms may be mild, but if not promptly** or if there are factors that make the disease more likely to progress, it can lead to a lack of oxygen and the spread of infection from the lungs into the bloodstream, leading to death. According to the 2022 Population Survey of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there were about 740,000 people died from pneumonia. There are many different types of pneumonia, each with a different risk. We asked the experts for more details.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract, particularly inflammation that occurs in the alveolar area. The alveoli act as a place of gas exchange, providing oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. Depending on a number of factors, the infection initially occurs in the upper respiratory tract and gradually penetrates deep into the lungs. Common symptoms of pneumonia include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and general fatigue. The doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the patient's breathing to see if there is a characteristic noise, similar to the sound of crumpled paper. "That's enough to diagnose pneumonia," if you're still unsure, get a chest X-ray.
Pneumonia acquired outside the hospital in daily life (community-acquired pneumonia) can be roughly divided into three types: bacterial, viral, and fungal. Pneumonia caused by nosocomial infections alone**. In many cases, "diagnosis alone does not tell us whether the infection is bacterial, viral, or fungal," and when it comes to pneumonia, "it is often impossible to make a conclusive confirmation".
The doctor will then decide on the most appropriate plan based on the patient's symptoms and medical history. The most common type of pneumonia is bacterial pneumonia, which is easily treated with antibiotics**. For many people with pneumonia, antibiotics can relieve symptoms and feel better within a few days. "*The sooner you start, the better. ”
Pneumococcus is the most common cause of pneumonia, and prophylactic vaccines are available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations for children, people over the age of 65, and people with certain underlying health conditions.
Most viral infections start in the upper respiratory tract and then spread to the lungs. Viral infections can also cause bacterial pneumonia. This is because, when a person is infected with the virus, the immune system is weakened and secondary infections are more likely to occur. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, but there are vaccines that can prevent infection. It's best to get an annual flu shot, a COVID vaccine, and if eligible, an up-to-date RSV vaccine.
Fungal pneumonia is rare and usually occurs in people who already have certain health problems, such as immunodeficiency. Lucas Kimigue, a pulmonologist at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, said people with autoimmune diseases, taking anti-cancer drugs or other chronic diseases that affect the immune system are more likely to develop the disease. Fungal pneumonia involves factors such as the patient's underlying medical condition in addition to complications of pneumonia, so it requires a different strategy from other types of pneumonia, and the condition is likely to become more severe. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is often considered a separate category.
In a hospital setting, patients are exposed to a wide variety of bacteria. Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. For this reason, the ** policy has changed for cases of pneumonia contracted in hospitals. "In a hospital setting, you are at risk of exposure to pathogens that are not common in a routine outpatient setting, which can also affect your antibiotic choices. ”
If left untimely**, pneumonia can lead to serious complications and spread to other parts of the body. "Once you have a bacterial or viral infection in your lungs, there's basically no way to get rid of it," and the infection can persist. "The main risk of pneumonia is that the lungs are damaged and unable to get the oxygen they need.
It occurs when inflammation causes inflammatory cells to build up in tiny alveoli, making it difficult for oxygen and carbon dioxide to exchange properly. If the infection spreads to other parts of the body, such as between the lungs and chest wall or into the bloodstream, a further secondary risk is sepsis. Sepsis is a serious condition in which the whole body reacts to an infection and goes out of control, and may even lead to death in a short period of time.
Children under the age of 5, people over the age of 65, people with underlying heart or lung disease, or who are undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplants, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to have serious complications from pneumonia. Other risk factors include diabetes mellitus (blood sugar levels are not properly controlled), smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption.
If you've been diagnosed with pneumonia and are at home**, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you've started taking your medication and your fever doesn't go away, or if you still feel chest pain or shortness of breath, see your doctor again. Also, if you are short of breath, you may not be inhaling enough oxygen. "If you notice anything out of the ordinary. "The sooner doctors intervene, the more likely they are to get appropriate advice and the sooner hospitals are ready to accept patients. ”