People tend to be passive about pneumonia, mistaking it for the flu or a mild respiratory infection. Pneumonia is far more common than people realize and can have serious consequences if left untreated. It is the number one preventable cause of death worldwide. Understanding pneumonia gives you the tools to act promptly and avoid life-threatening complications.
1. What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by multiple microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi). Watch the video: Pneumonia in numbers.
2. What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
The symptoms of pneumonia are variable, and this is not always related to the type of germ causing the pneumonia. Symptoms may include:
- Shivers
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever starting at 102 F
- Palpitations or disorientation
- Mucus with phlegm
- Chest pain that worsens when breathing
2.1 The most common symptoms are:
Prevent it from escalating. Watch video
- Cough with purulent expectoration.
- Chest pain.
- Fever with chills.
3. What are the causes of pneumonia?
The causes depend on the type of germ or the place of infection. There are several types, but the most common are viral and bacterial.
- The most common cause is bacterial; it is very frequent after having had the flu or a cold, affecting a part of the lung.
- The type caused by microorganisms that causes milder symptoms is often referred to as community-acquired pneumonia.
- The one caused by fungi, very common in people with chronic diseases.
- The one caused by a virus is very common in children, it is characterized by mild symptoms, but you have to be attentive because they can become serious.
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia is often associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and is very serious.
4. What are the risk factors for pneumonia?
Those at highest risk are children under two years old and people over 65. However, pneumonia can affect anyone.
Other more vulnerable people include those with chronic illnesses, hospitalized patients, smokers, or people with a weakened immune system.
5. What are the complications of pneumonia?
Ignoring the systems associated with pneumonia and not seeing your doctor can either cost you your life or be too late and lead to complications that completely affect your quality of life. Even if you have received medical attention and have other illnesses, you can experience complications such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bacteria that enter the bloodstream
- Accumulation of fluid around the lungs
- Formation of pus in the lung cavities
Visit your doctor; early diagnosis protects your life.
6. How to prevent pneumonia?
It's essential that you keep your vaccinations up to date if you're in a high-risk group. We should all maintain good hand hygiene, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly to keep our immune systems strong and ready to fight off illness. And don't smoke.
Conclusions
And if we insist that you visit your doctor at the first sign of any symptoms and get the follow-up you need for your illness, it's because we have the experience to detect it early, we know exactly what to prescribe and how you should take it, because patients tend to underestimate the importance of the flu for various reasons and end up complicating their health and even their lives, because patients tend to self-medicate with doses or medications that don't work and only make the virus or bacteria more resistant.
At Clínica Hispana del Metroplex, we not only care about giving you the tools to prevent complications, but we also look after your wallet to avoid going to the emergency room or simply experiencing more serious problems that affect your life or quality of life.
When it comes to caring for the health of all families, Clínica Hispana del Metroplex is close to me and to all families, dedicated to caring for their health and well-being, which is paramount. Furthermore, we work every day to make better health possible, and the greatest reward we can receive is your trust in us.
Our health clinics located in Dallas and Fort Worth will have professionals from day one who look after your health, your safety, and your quality of life. Visit us o schedule an appointment
