Pneumonia: Causes, symptoms and precautions

Pneumonia was once considered to be a life-threatening condition but it is not so now. However, at times it can be fatal depending on the severity. 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.

Pneumonia usually bothers children and older people, but can happen to anybody irrespective of their age or gender.  Pneumonia is a lung disease characterised by inflammation of the airspaces in the lungs, most commonly due to an infection. Children born prematurely and suffering from tuberculosis are at high risk of getting pneumonia. Those with a weak immune system can also be affected.

What causes of pneumonia?

Pneumonia may be caused by viral, bacterial or fungi infections. 

Bacterial pneumonia:

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.

Viral pneumonia:

Viral pneumonia is an infection of your lungs caused by a virus. The most common cause is the flu, but you can also get viral pneumonia from the common cold and other viruses. These nasty germs usually stick to the upper part of your respiratory system. But the trouble starts when they get down into your lungs. Then the air sacs in your lungs get infected and inflamed, and they fill up with fluid.

Fungal pneumonia:

Histoplasmosis, cosidiomycosis, blastomycosis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, are fungal infections that can give you pneumonia. It is an infection of the lungs by fungi. It can be caused by either endemic or opportunistic fungi or a combination of both.

Symptoms of pneumonia in children:

Fever, cold, shivers and cough Fast breathing and wheezing.
Vomiting, chest or lower abdominal pain.
Trouble drinking milk.
The colour of the baby's lips and nails turn blue.

Precautions: 

1. Children who are born prematurely must have detailed and regular check-ups as they are most susceptible to pneumonia. 
2. They should not be given cold food or fluid.
3. To prevent infection from pneumonia, the child should be vaccinated.