Is Pneumonia The Leading Cause Of Death?

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Pneumonia The Leading Cause Of Death

You must have heard do some relatives or a close family member dying in the hospital due to pneumonia. So what basically is pneumonia? It is a debilitating lung infection which occurs either due to bacteria, virus or fungi. During pneumonia, the person suffers from inflamed sacs of the lungs or the tiny air sacs get filled with pus or fluids. Pneumonia is a condition that can be mild, moderate or severe leading to a life-threatening condition. According to the CDC, around 50-60000 people died from pneumonia in the US during 2015. However, when we consider children, pneumonia has been the leading cause of death in children aged under 5 years.

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Everyone can suffer from pneumonia, but certain people are at increased risk of suffering from a lung infection. These people include the ones with weaker immune systems or the people who have weak lungs due to certain lifestyle factors or conditions. People who are at high risk of suffering from pneumonia include children under 2 years old, older aged people, hospitalized people, people who are on a ventilator, individuals with severe chronic diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. It also affects people who undergo chemo or radiotherapy and patients who undergo an organ transplant. Pneumonia severely affects the people who are chronic smokers.

There are three forms of pneumonia depending on the cause:

Viral pneumonia is the mild type of disease where the symptoms are seen gradually. However, if the viral pneumonia is not identified on time, it can be complicated due to the superimposed bacterial infection developing simultaneously in the patient.

Bacterial pneumonia is very severe. The symptoms in these patients occur gradually or suddenly depending on the condition. It affects one or multiple lobes of the patient’s lungs. When the lungs are severely involved, the patient needs to be hospitalized. This pneumonia can be complicated due to bacteremia where the bacteria invade the blood. 

Fungal pneumonia is the more commonly seen pneumonia which is seen in people with weak immune systems. These infections are, however, serious and can result in complications.

Pneumonia is also categorized into where it is acquired like within the hospital or from the community. The type of pneumonia acquired in the healthcare or a hospital setting is quite dangerous because it attacks the people who are already sick and have a weak immune system.

The symptoms which should be immediately evaluated for pneumonia include abnormal body temperatures like chills, fever or patients with low body temperature like individuals with a weak immune system or older adults. It can also result in breathing difficulty, cough with phlegm or mucus, chest pain, fatigue, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and others. 

To prevent pneumonia from leading to death, you should follow a certain protocol to avoid any life-threatening conditions. You should monitor health regularly by the health-care professional. Be aware that pneumonia can occur after any milder respiratory infections so be cautious. Get yourself vaccination against potential causes of pneumonia-like Influenza, Pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenza, measles, varicella or others. Practice good hygiene habits like washing hands frequently. Follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking. Try practicing exercises regularly to build a healthy and stronger immune system that can fight against infections. 

So, keep in mind that pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can turn into life-threatening illness and ultimately death. It is therefore essential to visit the doctor immediately if you or your family member experiences any such symptoms to prevent them from getting worse.

Until Next Time,

Team Doctor ASKY!

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