Signs of Pneumonia in Adults

Since the lungs are the most exposed organs to the external environment compared to other internal organs, they are highly susceptible to a number of infections and diseases. One such infection that affects the lungs due to the presence of disease-causing organisms like bacteria and viruses, etc., is pneumonia. This disorder is caused when the respiratory tract is infected due to the presence of harmful pathogens that can compromise the immune system of an individual.

This disorder is classified into different types, depending upon the factors that may lead to an infection. These are:

This disorder may develop when foreign bodies enter the bronchioles through food, nasal secretions, or saliva. Individuals who smoke or those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, are at a higher risk of contracting this type of disease. People affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or those who face difficulty in swallowing or have gag reflexes may also get affected by this respiratory disease.

This disorder is caused due to the presence of bacteria in the respiratory tract. This is one of the most common and serious type of disease. The symptoms may develop immediately after infection or may develop over time.

CAP is more common during winter and is mainly seen in people who have developed an infection. This infection is caused due to the infestation of pathogens in the lobes of the lungs. The symptoms of this disease include shallow breathing, productive cough, and a stabbing pain in the chest.

This disorder is contracted due to a prolonged hospital stay. Also known as nosocomial pneumonia, HAP is mainly caused due to a bacterial infection. Apart from the usual symptoms, purulent sputum, and leukocytosis might be observed where there is an increase in the number of white blood cells.

This disorder is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The main source of these infected water droplets are air conditioning units, plumbing systems, hot water tanks, etc. It is one of the serious types of pneumonia which may become fatal in about 5 to 25 percent of the people affected by this pulmonary disease.

This disorder is caused by opportunistic fungal growth. It occurs when the immune system of an individual is weak, thereby making one susceptible to any kind of infection. The symptoms are similar to the infection caused due to bacterial or viral growth.

The main reason for the occurrence of this disorder is weakened immune system, due to which the virus can attack the body easily. It is spread through sneezing, or coughing, and also through contact with an infected person. The symptoms may appear to be similar to bacterial infection.

This disorder, also known as atypical pneumonia, can be caused due to bacterial or mycoplasma infection. The symptoms of this disease in adults are less severe than the ones caused by bacterial or viral infestation and can be cured without undergoing hospitalization.

The symptoms of the disease in adults may appear similar to that of common cold. However, it may need prompt medical attention to prevent it from worsening.

• One of the primary symptoms is high-grade fever, accompanied by cold and cough. Some individuals may also experience chills.
• Another symptom is shortness of breath, followed by chest pain. The chest pain may get aggravated with breathing. This condition is also referred to as pleurisy.

• Since walking pneumonia is milder than the other types, it may not require higher doses of medication to cure it. Adults affected by this condition might also experience malaise (feeling of general discomfort) accompanied by muscle aches.
• Some individuals may also complain of headaches, which may range from moderate to severe. Body ache is also a common complaint seen in persons affected by this respiratory disease.

• Other indications of the disease in adults are general body weakness, nausea induced vomiting, and a feeling of lethargy. In severe cases, the individual may appear confused. Bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and fingernails may also set in as a result of oxygen deprivation.

Before administering treatment, the type of the disorder should be distinguished appropriately. Administering wrong treatment has its own negative effects; hence, it is essential to first diagnose the exact condition and review the symptoms. The diagnostic tests may include a sputum test to determine the exact cause of the disease, blood tests, chest X-rays to check for the spread of this lung disease. 

In some cases, a bronchoscopy, where a tube like instrument is inserted into the lungs through the nostrils or mouth to collect samples for testing, may also be undertaken. Once all the diagnostic tests are conducted, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medication, depending on the type of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed to reduce the inflammation in the lungs.

Cough suppressants may also be needed to treat cough and sore throat. In case the symptoms have become intense, the patient may need to undergo hospitalization where the drugs might be administered intravenously. Once the condition has cured, a follow-up might be required to prevent it from resurfacing.

The pneumococcal vaccine or 'pneumo jab' protects against the infection and also controls it from spreading. A healthy lifestyle and proper hygiene will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the occurrence of any disease.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.