Pneumonia: is an inflammation of the alveoli and may
be caused by a diplococcus known as the pneumococcus, although pneumonia
can also be caused by a streptococcus, a staphylococcus or a virus as well
as chlamydias. Any or all of these pathogens may be carried by a
healthy person in the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. If the
person remains in good condition, these pathogens may be carried for an
indefinite period with no ill effect. However, if the individual's
resistance to infection is lowered, the pathogens then may invade the tissues
and work their damage. Exposure to inclement weather for long periods
of time, alcoholism, malnutrition, a severe injury or other debilitating
or weakening conditions may cause a susceptibility to pneumonia.
There are two main kinds of pneumonia as determined by the method of
lung involvement and other factors. These are:
1.) Lobar pneumonia, in which an entire lobe of the lung
is infected at one time. The organism is usually a pneumoncoccus,
although other pathogens also may cause this disease.
2.) Bronchopneumonia, in which the disease process is
scattered here and there throughout the lung. The cause may be a
staphylococcus, a gram -negative proteus or colon bacillus (not normally
pathogenic), or a virus. Bronchopneumonia most often is secondary
to an infection or to some agent which has lowered the individual's resistance
to disease. This is the more common form of pneumonia.
Lobar pneumonia may develop suddenly in an apparently well individual,
often in a fairly young hale-appearing male. Bronchopneumonia, on
the other hand, is much more common in the very young and the very
old.
Symptoms:
Coughing
Sputum production ( may have red streaks in the sputum due to some red
blood cells may be present)
Pleuritic chest pain
Chills
Fever
Lack of oxygen
Treatment:
Antimicrobial therapy (varies with the infecting agent)
You get a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine to protect against the
most common form of pneumonia.
Oxygen therapy
May require mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure
High Calorie diet and adequate fluid intake
Bed rest
Analgesic to relieve pleuritic chest pain as doctor order
Antibiotic drugs have greatly improved the outlook for pneumonia patients.
Also
See Our Page On; Flu / Pneumonia / and Food Poisoning
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Acute pyelonephritis or kidney infection:
One of the most common renal diseases. Pyelonephritis most commonly
results from an ascending infection. The most common infecting organism
is Escherichia coli. Others are Proteus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus
aureus, and Streptococcus faecalis. It primarily affects the interstitial
area and the renal pelvis and,...
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