Pneumonia in Adults

As said, the occurrence of pneumonia in adults over 65 years of age, is considered a major health concern. The same goes for people with compromised immune system. This disease may also strike young people, and even those who are otherwise healthy. Usually, as studied by doctors, this condition is a repercussion or let's say, a progressed stage of something else, such as flu. It is characterized by the inflammation of the lungs, whose cause is an infection, which may be caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. The winter months are known to be the ideal time when this disease strikes, and tends to be more common in smokers and men.

What Indicates Pneumonia in Adults?

If the affected person is already suffering from some underlying condition, then the symptoms may vary greatly than what is usually observed. The nature of the symptoms also depends upon what has causes the infection. And in most cases, people do not realize that pneumonia might have set in, because its symptoms tend to mimic those of influenza. The general symptoms of the condition are as follows:

• Early symptoms are like those that appear in flu. These include fever, cough, breathing difficulty, pain while breathing and sweating.
• As the inflammation progresses, the patient may experience shaking chills, rapid pulse, vomiting, nausea or diarrhea.
• The cough usually produces green or yellow sputum.
• Headache, muscle pain and fatigue are the other symptoms.
• Confusion, or unclear thinking may also occur in some people.

What is interesting, or may be strange, to know about pneumonia is, people who are more vulnerable to develop this condition show less to mild form of the symptoms above. And although the main characteristic symptom is a high fever (that can be greater than 100.5 ºF or 38 ºC), older adults may have a temperature lower than the normal measure.

Treatment

Treatment is decided by the cause of the condition; bacterial, viral or fungal. Antibiotics for pneumonia are prescribed when the causal agent is bacteria. One very important point to be kept in mind regarding this treatment option is about the completion of the entire course. Failing to do so, increases the chances of recurrence. It may also create strains of these organisms that are resistant to antibiotics.

In case of viral pneumonia, as you must be aware of already, antibiotics come of no help. Although, some patients might be treated with antiviral drugs, doctors usually recommend patients to take rest and drink plenty of fluids. With time, the condition will resolve on its own. And due to obvious reasons, for fungal pneumonia, antifungal medications are put to use.

If not treated, this ailment may give rise to complications such as bacteria in bloodstream, infection of the lungs, lung abscess and a condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Now, apart from what the doctors recommend for the treatment of pneumonia, taking a few self-care measures at home may help in reducing the risk of complications, and speed up the recovery. Such important measures may include getting plenty of rest, following up with a doctor before going back to work, drinking ample amount of fluids, including water, and completing the entire course of medication that is being prescribed. Regular follow ups are necessary, as there always remains a risk of the lungs not being completely disinfected. So, follow ups with the doctor would help monitor the progress of the treatment, and take care of things if they start becoming worse.