Pneumonia is a type of lung infection that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi in the air around you or on surfaces you touch. The infection causes the tissues to become inflamed in parts of one or both lungs. The tissues may be swollen and irritated or filled with fluid or pus, making breathing more difficult. It may occur spontaneously, though it occasionally follows other illnesses. Pneumonia occurring during or after the flu can be especially dangerous. If your condition worsens after a few days of flu symptoms or after having the flu, you should see a doctor immediately.
Pneumonia affects millions of people each year around the globe. Though pneumonia occurs frequently in healthy people, it is a more serious problem in infants, young children, adults over age 65, those with weakened immune systems, and those with other medical conditions, especially ones involving the lungs and heart. In the United States, roughly 250,000 people are admitted to the hospital for pneumonia annually and around 50,000 of these cases are fatal.
Depending on the person and the type of pneumonia, symptoms can range from mild to extremely severe. In general, symptoms may be similar to those of a cold or flu but worse at the beginning or grow increasingly worse. In infants, older adults, and those with communication problems or developmental delays, the symptoms may be less typical and more general, such as poor appetite or feeding, malaise or fatigue, weakness, and or change in mental status (confusion or continuous sleeping). The following are common symptoms of pneumonia:
When pneumonia is treated, symptoms generally last seven to 10 days. Sometimes pneumonia symptoms can last for two to three weeks or longer, especially fatigue and exercise intolerance.
If you are older than 65, have chronic heart or lung conditions, or experience any of the following symptoms, see a physician as soon as possible:
If you believe you may have pneumonia, it is important to see a physician. In addition to a physical exam and lung evaluation with a stethoscope, pneumonia is usually diagnosed with a chest x-ray. If necessary, your physician may also perform a blood test(s), a chest CT, or other tests to confirm pneumonia and rule out other causes of your symptoms.
Most cases of pneumonia are not highly contagious. Pneumonia can be prevented by following the best practices for healthy living, including the following:
Additionally, commonly recommended vaccines can prevent certain types of pneumonia, including the flu vaccine, pneumococcal vaccines (Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23), and DTaP and Tdap (pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria) vaccines. These vaccines are available at every Patient First center location on a walk-in basis. To find a list of the vaccines offered at each center, please see our Immunizations page.
It is also important for prevention to know if you or a loved one falls into a high-risk group for contracting pneumonia, such as the following:
If you think you have pneumonia, it is important to see a physician. Your physician may prescribe medications to aid in your recovery. It is also helpful to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. It may take several weeks to a couple of months to feel back to normal, depending on the cause of the pneumonia and its severity.
If symptoms do not fully clear up after a few weeks or are getting worse, follow up with your physician.
Patient First treats many conditions at our urgent care centers including pneumonia. You can visit any Patient First center from 8am to 8pm, any day of the week – no appointment is need
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