2008+Pneu+2

=PNEUMONIA=



What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics

How do people "catch pneumonia"?

Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms that can cause pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when a person infected with these germs coughs or sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users, and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population.

Pneumonia symptoms and signs?

Most people who develop pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold which are then followed by a high fever (sometimes as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit), shaking chills, and a cough with sputum production. People with pneumonia may become short of breath.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

the doctor examines the patient and hears coarse breathing or crackling sounds when listening to a portion of the chest with a stethoscope. There may be wheezing, or the sounds of breathing may be faint in a particular area of the chest.

How is it Pneumonia treated?

Two vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal disease; the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Recommended for all children; 2 years of age and children 2-4 years of age who have certain medical conditions. The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for adults at increased risk for developing pneumococcal pneumonia including the elderly, people who have diabetes, chronic heart, lung, or kidney disease, those with alcoholism, cigarette smokers, and in those people who have had their spleen removed.

Any other ways?

Also antibiotics often used in the treatment of this type of pneumonia include penicillin, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, and macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. Penicillin was formerly the antibiotic of choice in treating this infection.

Personal problems from pneumonia...

May result in a week of no activities, therefore rest is the main component to getting well again. Loss of pay of your job and or missing out of school may result in many problems with grades and income. Vaccine Info.

Why get vaccinated? Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes much sickness and death.In fact, pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine- preventable diseases combined. The pneumonia vaccine is generally given once, although revaccination after 3-5 years should be considered for children with nephritic syndrome, asplenia, or sickle cell anemia who would be less than 11 years old at revaccination.

Who should not receive.

People who have had a serious reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to a previous dose of the vaccine should not receive a second dose. Serious reactions are very rare. Pregnant women should consult with their physician before immunization, as the vaccine’s safety for pregnant women hasn’t been studied. People who are moderately or severely ill should consult with their physician before receiving any vaccine.

•The pneumo shot is an inactivated (killed virus) vaccine that contains protection against 23 types of streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

You may also have a severe allergic reaction with any of the following symptoms:

Difficulty breathing Dizziness Fast heart beat Hives Hoarseness or wheezing Paleness Swelling of the throat Weakness

Price: The cost of the pneumonia vaccine varies but is approximately $50 to $70 for children and $14 to $25 for adults.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/pneumococcal_disease.pdf http://www.bcbst.com/learn/treatment-options/pneumonia_vaccine.shtm http://www.medicinenet.com/pneumonia/index.htm http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&amp;b=35692