Pneumonia

This is an inflammation, and engorgement of the lung tissue usually caused by bacteria.

Other causative agents are:

• Virus
• Fungus
• Amoeba
• TB

Prominent among the bacterial causes are:

• Streptococcus pneumonia
• Streptococcus Hemolytic
• Staphylococcus Aureus
• Klebsiella Pneumonia
• Prominent among the virus are
• Adeno Virus
• Influenza Virus
• Para influenza Virus
• Varicella Virus

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in America today. Patients with severe debilitating diseases such as cancer, end stage kidney disease, chronic lung disease, abdominal disease, brain disease such as strokes are susceptible to pneumonia and do die from pneumonia. Sickly, hospitalized patients are also in danger of developing pneumonia. Most pneumonia with high fever requires hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics after appropriate tests are done. Some pneumonia (especially walking pneumonia) can be treated as an outpatient (at home) with oral antibiotics. Let the doctor be the judge of what is best suited for you.

Children are also very susceptible to pneumonia as their immune system may not be fully developed or may be inappropriately low.

Aspiration especially in infants, and choking form drinking too fast or talking while drinking or eating may be a harbinger for pneumonia.