Bacterial pneumonia happens when the lungs get infected by bacteria, usually from Streptococcus. It depends on how strong your immune system is. Ready to take a proactive step in managing your health? Start your journey towards learning about Bacterial Pneumonia Causes and Symptoms before its too late!
Who Might Get Bacterial Pneumonia?
You might get bacterial pneumonia if you:
- Have diabetes, heart disease, or asthma
- Are 65 years old or more
- Don't eat foods with the right minerals and vitamins
- Are recovering from surgery
- Have a weak immune system
- Smoke a lot or drink a lot of alcohol
- Have viral pneumonia
Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia:
Bacterial pneumonia shows different signs like:
- Pain in your chest
- Trouble breathing and coughing
- Coughing up green, yellow, or bloody mucus
- Shaking chills
- Fever between 102 and 105°F
- No appetite
- Moist and pale skin
- Sweating
- Muscle pain
- Confusion
- Headache
- Breathing fast or feeling out of breath
- Feeling tired or very tired
Bacterial pneumonia can be dangerous for children, including babies. Kids with bacterial pneumonia might also have bluish nails or lips.
Types of Bacterial Pneumonia:
There are two types:
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP): You get it outside healthcare places, like at home, through breathing, sneezing, coughing, or touching skin.
- Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP): You get it in places like hospitals, and it's harder to treat because it's resistant to antibiotics.
Bacteria that Cause Bacterial Pneumonia:
The common bacteria are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. If your immune system is weak, you might get infections from other bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
How Doctors Check for Bacterial Pneumonia:
Doctors use these steps:
- Blood Culture: They check if bacteria are in your bloodstream.
- Mucus Check: They see if there's a lot of mucus.
- Blood Cell Count: They count your white blood cells to check your immune response.
- Mucus Sample Test: They test mucus for bacterial infection.
- Chest X-ray: They take pictures of your chest to see if you have bacterial infections and how bad they are.
How to Treat Bacterial Pneumonia:
- Home Treatment: Take medicine at home. It might take longer if your immune system is not strong.
- Hospital Treatment: If it's severe, you might need to stay in the hospital. They might give you special breathing treatment and antibiotics through your veins.
- Drink Fluids: It's important to drink enough to avoid dehydration.
How to Prevent Bacterial Pneumonia:
- Bacterial pneumonia is not contagious by itself; it's the infection that spreads.
- Get a pneumonia vaccine at any age as your doctor suggests.
If your immune system is not strong and you have symptoms like the ones mentioned, see a doctor quickly.
