What is bacterial pneumonia? Show
Pneumonia is a common lung infection where the lungs’ air sacks become inflamed. These sacs may also fill with fluid, pus, and cellular debris. It can be caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria. This article is about pneumonia caused by bacteria. Bacterial pneumonia may involve just one small section of your lung, or it may encompass your entire lung. Pneumonia can make it difficult for your body to get enough oxygen to your blood, which can cause cells to not work properly. Bacterial pneumonia can be mild or serious. The severity of your pneumonia depends on:
The most common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia are: Other symptoms that may follow include: Older adults will share all the symptoms with younger adults, but are much more likely to experience confusion and dizziness. Older adults may also be less likely to have a fever. Symptoms in childrenPneumonia can be particularly dangerous for infants, children, and toddlers. They may display similar symptoms to the ones above. In infants, difficulty breathing may show up as flaring nostrils or chest sinking when breathing. They may also exhibit blueish lips or nails, which indicates that they aren’t getting enough oxygen. Emergency symptomsSeek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing:
Bacteria pneumonia is caused by bacteria that works its way into the lungs and then multiplies. It can occur on its own or develop after another illness, like a cold or the flu. People who have a higher risk for pneumonia may:
Doctors classify bacterial pneumonia based on whether it developed inside or outside a hospital. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): This is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. CAP occurs when you get an infection after exposure to bacterial agents outside of a healthcare setting. You can get CAP by breathing in respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes, or by skin-to-skin contact. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP): HAP occurs within two to three days of exposure to germs in a medical setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. This is also called a “nosocomial infection.” This type of pneumonia is often more resistant to antibiotics and more is difficult to treat than CAP. Types of bacteriaStreptococcus pneumonia is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. It can enter your lungs through inhalation or through your bloodstream. There is a vaccination for this type. Haemophilus influenzae is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. This bacterium may live in your upper respiratory tract. It doesn’t usually cause harm or illness unless you have a weakened immune system. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia include:
These include:
Medical risk factorsPeople who have these conditions may be at an increased risk for pneumonia: Age groupsPeople over the age of 65 and children 2 and younger are also at a higher risk for developing pneumonia. Make an appointment with your doctor if you or someone you know has symptoms of pneumonia. Pneumonia for this group can be life-threatening. The two most common causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. The flu is one of the most common causes of viral pneumonia in adults, though post-flu complications can also cause bacterial pneumonia. In bacterial pneumonia, there will likely be a much more visible presence of fluid in the lungs than viral pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is also more likely to enter the blood stream and infect other parts of the body. To diagnose bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will:
Most cases can be treated at home, with medications, to prevent complications from a hospital setting. A healthy person may recover within one to three weeks. Someone with a weakened immune system may take longer before they feel normal again. Hospital careSome cases of bacterial pneumonia will require hospitalization for treatment. Young children and the elderly are more likely to need to go to the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics, medical care and respiratory therapy. In the hospital, you’ll be given antibiotics to treat the specific type of bacteria causing your pneumonia. This will likely be given intravenously, along with fluids to prevent dehydration. ComplicationsWithout treatment, pneumonia may develop into:
Bacterial pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the infection that caused bacterial pneumonia is contagious. It can spread through coughs, sneezes, and contamination on objects. Practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of pneumonia or the risk of catching it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends a pneumonia vaccine for infants, young children, and adults age 65 and older. Medically reviewed by Lauren Castiello, MS, AGNP-C — By Bree Normandin — Updated on November 10, 2021 Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The infection leads to inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs, which are called alveoli. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe. Both viral and bacterial pneumonia are contagious. This means they can spread from person to person through inhalation of airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough. You can also get these types of pneumonia by coming into contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses. You can contract fungal pneumonia from the environment. It does not spread from person to person. Pneumonia is further classified according to where or how it was acquired:
Walking pneumoniaWalking pneumonia is a milder case of pneumonia. People with walking pneumonia may not even know they have pneumonia. Their symptoms may feel more like a mild respiratory infection than pneumonia. However, walking pneumonia may require a longer recovery period. The symptoms of walking pneumonia can include things like:
Viruses and bacteria, like Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae, often cause pneumonia. However, in walking pneumonia, the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae most commonly causes the condition. Pneumonia stagesPneumonia may be classified based off the area of the lungs it’s affecting: BronchopneumoniaBronchopneumonia can affect areas throughout both of your lungs. It’s often localized close to or around your bronchi. These are the tubes that lead from your windpipe to your lungs. Lobar pneumoniaLobar pneumonia affects one or more lobes of your lungs. Each lung is made of lobes, which are defined sections of the lung. Lobar pneumonia can be further divided into four stages based off how it’s progressed:
Pneumonia symptoms can be mild to life threatening. They can include:
Other symptoms can vary according to your age and general health:
Pneumonia happens when germs get into your lungs and cause an infection. The immune system’s reaction to clear the infection results in inflammation of the lung’s air sacs (alveoli). This inflammation can eventually cause the air sacs to fill up with pus and liquids, causing pneumonia symptoms. Several types of infectious agents can cause pneumonia, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Bacterial pneumoniaThe most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other causes include:
Viral pneumoniaRespiratory viruses are often the cause of pneumonia. Examples of viral infections that can cause pneumonia include: Although the symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonia are very similar, viral pneumonia is usually milder. It can improve in 1 to 3 weeks without treatment. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people with viral pneumonia are at risk of developing bacterial pneumonia. Fungal pneumoniaFungi from soil or bird droppings can cause pneumonia. They most often cause pneumonia in people with weakened immune systems. Examples of fungi that can cause pneumonia include:
Risk factorsAnyone can get pneumonia, but certain groups do have a higher risk. These groups include:
Your doctor will start by taking your medical history. They’ll ask you questions about when your symptoms first appeared and your health in general. They’ll then give you a physical exam. This will include listening to your lungs with a stethoscope for any abnormal sounds, such as crackling. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and your risk of complications, your doctor may also order one or more of these tests: Chest X-rayAn X-ray helps your doctor look for signs of inflammation in your chest. If inflammation is present, the X-ray can also inform your doctor about its location and extent. Blood cultureThis test uses a blood sample to confirm an infection. Culturing can also help identify what may be causing your condition. Sputum cultureDuring a sputum culture, a sample of mucus is collected after you’ve coughed deeply. It’s then sent to a lab to be analyzed to identify the cause of the infection. Pulse oximetryA pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A sensor placed on one of your fingers can indicate whether your lungs are moving enough oxygen through your bloodstream. CT scanCT scans provide a clearer and more detailed picture of your lungs. Fluid sampleIf your doctor suspects there’s fluid in the pleural space of your chest, they may take a fluid sample using a needle placed between your ribs. This test can help identify the cause of your infection. BronchoscopyA bronchoscopy looks into the airways in your lungs. It does this using a camera on the end of a flexible tube that’s gently guided down your throat and into your lungs. Your doctor may do this test if your initial symptoms are severe, or if you’re hospitalized and not responding well to antibiotics. Your treatment will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health. Prescription medicationsYour doctor may prescribe a medication to help treat your pneumonia. What you’re prescribed will depend on the specific cause of your pneumonia. Oral antibiotics can treat most cases of bacterial pneumonia. Always take your entire course of antibiotics, even if you begin to feel better. Not doing so can prevent the infection from clearing, and it may be harder to treat in the future. Antibiotic medications don’t work on viruses. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral. However, many cases of viral pneumonia clear on their own with at-home care. Antifungal medications are used to treat fungal pneumonia. You may have to take this medication for several weeks to clear the infection. OTC medicationsYour doctor may also recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve your pain and fever, as needed. These may include:
Your doctor may also recommend cough medicine to calm your cough so you can rest. Keep in mind coughing helps remove fluid from your lungs, so you don’t want to eliminate it entirely. Home remediesAlthough home remedies don’t actually treat pneumonia, there are some things you can do to help ease symptoms. Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia. Natural ways to relieve a cough include gargling salt water or drinking peppermint tea. Cool compresses can work to relieve a fever. Drinking warm water or having a nice warm bowl of soup can help with chills. Here are more home remedies to try. You can help your recovery and prevent a recurrence by getting a lot of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Although home remedies can help ease symptoms, it’s important to stick to your treatment plan. Take any prescribed medications as directed. HospitalizationIf your symptoms are very severe or you have other health problems, you may need to be hospitalized. At the hospital, doctors can keep track of your heart rate, temperature, and breathing. Hospital treatment may include:
Pneumonia may cause complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, such as diabetes. Complications may include:
In many cases, pneumonia can be prevented. VaccinationThe first line of defense against pneumonia is to get vaccinated. There are several vaccines that can help prevent pneumonia. Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23These two pneumonia vaccines help protect against pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Your doctor can tell you which one might be better for you. Prevnar 13 is effective against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The CDC recommends this vaccine for:
Pneumovax 23 is effective against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The CDC recommends it for:
Flu vaccinePneumonia can often be a complication of the flu, so be sure to also get an annual flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated, particularly those who may be at risk of flu complications. Hib vaccineThis vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a type of bacterium that can cause pneumonia and meningitis. The CDC recommends this vaccine for:
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, pneumonia vaccines won’t prevent all cases of the condition. But if you’re vaccinated, you’re likely to have a milder and shorter illness as well as a lower risk of complications. Other prevention tipsIn addition to vaccination, there are other things you can do to avoid pneumonia:
Together with vaccination and additional prevention steps, you can help reduce your risk of getting pneumonia. Here are even more prevention tips. A variety of infectious agents cause pneumonia. With proper recognition and treatment, many cases of pneumonia can be cleared without complications. For bacterial infections, stopping your antibiotics early can cause the infection to not clear completely. This means your pneumonia could come back. Stopping antibiotics early can also contribute to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant infections are more difficult to treat. Viral pneumonia often resolves in 1 to 3 weeks with at-home treatment. In some cases, you may need antivirals. Antifungal medications treat fungal pneumonia. It may require a longer period of treatment. Pneumonia that occurs during pregnancy is called maternal pneumonia. Pregnant people are more at risk of developing conditions like pneumonia. This is due to the natural suppression of the immune system that happens during pregnancy. The symptoms of pneumonia don’t differ by trimester. However, you may notice some of them more later on in your pregnancy due to other discomforts you may be encountering. If you’re pregnant, contact your doctor as soon as you start experiencing symptoms of pneumonia. Maternal pneumonia can lead to a variety of complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight. Pneumonia can be a rather common childhood condition. Approximately 1 in 71 children worldwide get pneumonia worldwide each year, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The causes of childhood pneumonia can vary by age. For example, pneumonia due to respiratory viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae is more common in children under 5 years old. Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is frequently observed in children between the ages of 5 and 13. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the causes of walking pneumonia. It’s a milder form of pneumonia. See your pediatrician if you notice your child:
Pneumonia can become dangerous quickly, particularly in young children. Here’s how to avoid complications. Most people respond to treatment and recover from pneumonia. Like your treatment, your recovery time will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health. A younger person may feel back to normal in a week after treatment. Others may take longer to recover and may have lingering fatigue. If your symptoms are severe, your recovery may take several weeks. Consider taking these steps to aid in your recovery and help prevent complications from occurring:
Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The immune system’s reaction to this infection causes the lung’s air sacs to fill with pus and fluids. This leads to symptoms such as trouble breathing, a cough with or without mucus, fever, and chills. To diagnose pneumonia, your doctor will do a physical exam and discuss your medical history. They may recommend further testing, such as a chest X-ray. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection. It may involve antibiotics, antiviral medication, or antifungal medication. Pneumonia often clears up in a few weeks. See a doctor right away if your symptoms get worse, as you may need to be hospitalized to prevent or treat more serious complications. Last medically reviewed on November 10, 2021 |