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Pneumonia is infection of the lungs. The infection is in the lung tissue and the tiny air sacs in the lungs where the blood receives oxygen from air that is breathed in. It is extremely common and can range from a mild illness to a fatal one, especially if the patient is already sick or in hospital.
Pneumonia is not a single disease but refers to many different infections, each caused by a different micro-organism.
Causes & Development
Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or bacteria-like organisms called mycoplasma. Pneumonia can also be caused by the inhalation of substances into the lungs such as caustic chemicals, food or vomit. This is known as aspiration pneumonia.
The most common cause of pneumonia in people aged five to 35 years is mycoplasma. In older adults, the most common causes are bacteria (e.g. pneumococci), which are also a common cause in young infants.
Signs & Symptoms
The common symptoms of pneumonia are a cough with phlegm, fever, chills, chest pain and breathlessness. However, they may vary greatly in severity and also depend on the type of organism causing the infection.
Bacterial and Mycoplasmal Pneumonia
Mycoplasma pneumonia usually starts with a dry cough and tiredness, followed occasionally by a rash and phlegm production. Although the symptoms are usually mild, they can last for several weeks.
Pneumococcal pneumonia gives the common symptoms described above, such as the cough, fever and pain on the side of the affected lung. Streaks of blood may be seen in the phlegm.
The bacterium Legionella pneumophila causes the pneumonia 'Legionnaire's disease'. It spreads through water and can contaminate air-conditioning systems, which results in outbreaks of the disease. The infection begins with aches and pains, fever and headache, followed by a cough that eventually produces phlegm. Although the disease is usually mild, it can be severe, with extreme breathlessness, diarrhea and confusion. About 20% of people who develop this disease die.
The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae does not cause flu (which is caused by the influenza virus); instead it is a major cause of pneumonia in children below the age of six years. The pneumonia usually begins with sneezing and a runny nose, and then develops into the common symptoms described above. In addition, some fluid commonly develops around the lung, called a 'pleural effusion'. However, the 'type b' strain of the bacterium can cause severe illness such as meningitis and epiglottitis.
Viral Pneumonia
Many viruses can cause pneumonia, including influenza, herpes, measles and chickenpox. The symptoms vary according to the type and severity of infection, but usually there is a cough, often with phlegm, fever and chills.
Fungal Pneumonia
Fungi can cause pneumonia, but they are relatively rare except in people who have suppressed immune systems (such as those with AIDS).
Diagnosis & Tests
The diagnosis is often obvious to a doctor from the symptoms. A thorough examination of the chest, which involves tapping the chest and listening with a stethoscope, helps the doctor to locate where the infection is. A chest X-ray may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis, but it may not show anything at all (relatively common in mycoplasmal pneumonia). The doctor may also perform blood tests to confirm an infection is present.
The best test is to take some phlegm, examine it under the microscope and try to cultivate the organism that is causing the infection. This helps establish which antibiotic the bacterium is susceptible to. This is important (especially for pneumonias acquired in a hospital) because many bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Treatment & Prevention
It is important, obviously, to avoid any of the risk factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol. People who have had major surgery are shown how to do deep-breathing exercises and may be given physiotherapy to help clear mucous.
Most viral pneumonias are not treated with drugs that kill the virus: your body's immune system will usually do the job. However, in some cases of chickenpox and herpes an antiviral drug may be used early in the course of the disease.
Prognosis
The outcome of pneumonia depends on the type of infection and its severity as well as on the age and general health of the patient. Generally, however, the use of antibiotics has improved the outcome greatly.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Pneumonia:
Conditions that suggest Pneumonia:
Risk factors for Pneumonia:
Recommendations and treatments for Pneumonia: | | | | | Botanical |  Cayenne Pepper |
Digestion |
 Bromelain | In a clinical study of 124 patients hospitalized with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, or pulmonary abscess, those receiving bromelain orally showed a decrease in the volume and pus-like quality of the sputum. [J Clin Invest 1985;75: pp.456-61] |
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Drug |
Conventional Drug Use| | Pneumonia caused by bacteria and mycoplasma is generally treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used depends on which organism has caused the infection. If the infection is severe, and especially in very young and old people, the pneumonia may need to be treated in hospital with antibiotics and fluids given into a vein, and extra oxygen through a mask.
Fungal pneumonias are treated with specific antifungal drugs. |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
Bacteria / Pathogen Testing by PCR| | US Biotek lab offers a Respiratory (Sinusitis/Pneumonia) Panel (Blood or Swab) which tests for the presence of Mycoplasma fermentans, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionella pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. |
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Mineral |
Colloidal Silver |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help |
GLOSSARY
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. An immune system deficiency disorder that suddenly alters the body's ability to defend itself. The AIDS virus invades the T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer, with ultimate death.
Antifungal (Antifungals)
An agent that kills or inhibits fungi, or a compound that inhibits either a dermatomycosis like ringworm or athlete's foot, or
one that inhibits Candida albicans either externally as a douche or internally as a systemic antifungal. Examples: Nystatin, griseofulvin, Tabebuia.
Antimicrobial
Tending to destroy microbes, hinder their multiplication or growth.
Antiviral
Any of a number of herbs, drugs or agents capable of destroying viruses or inhibiting their growth or multiplication until the body is capable of destroying the virus itself. Most antiviral agents are members of the antimetabolite family.
Aspiration
Inhalation, or removal of fluids or gases from a cavity using suction.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Boil (Abscess, Abscesses, Boils, Carbuncle, Carbuncles, Cystic Acne, Furuncle, Furuncles, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Pilonidal Cyst, Pilonidal Cysts)
A localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with white cells that the body sends to fight the infection (pus). Finally, the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin. A furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, frequently accompanied by cough, hypersecretion of mucus, and expectoration of sputum. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by an infectious agent and of short duration. Chronic bronchitis, generally the result of smoking, may also be known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Emphysema.
Chemotherapy
A treatment of disease by any chemicals. Used most often to refer to the chemical treatments used to combat cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles: a treatment period followed by a recovery period, then another treatment period, and so on. Most anticancer drugs are given by injection into a blood vessel (IV); some are given by mouth. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Usually, a patient has chemotherapy as an outpatient (at the hospital, at the doctor's office, or at home). However, depending on which drugs are given and the patient's general health, a short hospital stay may be needed.
Chlamydia
A sexually-transmitted disease that is often without symptoms. Some females experience a white vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese, a burning sensation when urinating, itching, and painful intercourse. A clear watery urethral discharge in the male probably is a chlamydia infection.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Cystitis
Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes, Diabetic, Diabetics)
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.
Epiglottitis
Inflammation of the back of the throat.
Herpes
A small group of capsid-forming DNA viruses, sometimes divided into Type I (forming vesicles and blisters on the mouth, lips-generally above the waist) and Type II (usually sexually-transmitted, with symptoms mostly below the waist). Both types form acute initial outbreaks, go dormant, reactivate, and so forth. For most folks, frequent outbreaks are clear signs of stress or immunosuppression. Both types are equally dangerous for infants.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Phlegm
Mucus in the throat or bronchi.
Pneumonia (Pneumonitis)
Inflammation, usually infectious, of the lungs. Unless the result of only moderate chemical or smoke irritation, it is a potentially life-threatening condition. There are so many defenses against an infection this deep in the body that the very presence of pneumonia signals a pathogen of great virulence or impaired or exhausted immunity, or all three. Pneumonitis: Inflammation of the lungs, from whatever cause. It may be concurrent with pneumonia or pleurisy.
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the sinuses, with causes ranging from dust to hay fever. Obstinate cases can be caused by chronic sinus infections or the continued exposure to allergens from food, pets or environmental irritants.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Vitamin A
A fat-soluble vitamin essential to one's health. Plays an important part in the growth and repair of body tissue, protects epithelial tissue, helps maintain the skin and is necessary for night vision. It is also necessary for normal growth and formation of bones and teeth. For Vitamin A only, 1mg translates to 833 IU.
X-rays (X-ray)
High-energy radiation used to take pictures of areas inside the body.
Last updated: Jun 22, 2008
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