Anatomy and Physiology. short description about pneumonia

1. INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL
DFB 1043
PNEUMONIA
NAME : NURHANANI BINTI ABD HALIM
COURSE/SEM : SEM 1 GROUP 1 INTAKE MAY 2015
LECTURER’S NAME : CIK NUR HAMIZAH BT SAIDIN
SUBJECT : ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

2. Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both of your lungs that can
make you very sick . It's usually caused by an infection as there were clusters of tiny air sacs in
one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus. Pneumonia can range in seriousness
from mild to life-threatening. It is the most serious for infants and young children, people older
than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. Terms such as
bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia and double pneumonia are sometimes used, but refer to
the same condition with the same causes and treatment.
Community-acquired pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of
hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by:
 Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus
pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you've had a cold or the
flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
 Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It typically
produces milder symptoms than do other types of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia, a term
used to describe pneumonia that isn't severe enough to require bed rest, may be caused by
M. pneumoniae.
 Viruses. Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are
the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. Viral pneumonia is
usually mild. But in some cases it can become very serious.
 Fungi. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or
weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms.
The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or bird droppings.

3. Risk factors that increase your chance of getting pneumonia include:
 Chronic lung disease (COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis)
 Cigarette smoking
 Dementia, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, or other brain disorders
 Immune system problem (during cancer treatment, or due to HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or
other diseases)
 Other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes mellitus
 Recent surgery or trauma
 Surgery to treat cancer of the mouth, throat, or neck

5.  AETIOLOGY
Germs called bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe and living in your nose, sinuses, or
mouth may spread to your lungs usually cause pneumonia. The most common type
of bacterium is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Your body usually prevents these
germs from infecting your lungs. The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to
severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and
overall health. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your
health is generally good. Atypical pneumonia, often called walking pneumonia, is caused by
other bacteria. The bacterium called Pneumocystis jiroveci can cause pneumonia in people
whose immune system is not working well. Good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle can
help prevent pneumonia.
 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer Signs
and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
Fever,
sweating and shaking chills,
Cough but You will likely cough up mucus (sputum) from your lungs. Mucus may be
rusty or green or tinged with blood which may produce phlegm,
Chest pain when you breathe or cough,
Shortness of breath,
Fatigue and Nausea,
Vomiting or diarrhea.
Fast breathing and feeling short of breath,
Loss of appetite,

6. Shaking and "teeth-chattering" chills,
Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in,
Fast heartbeat,
Feeling very tired or very weak.
Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a
fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and
eating. People older than age 65 and people in poor health or with a weakened immune
system may have a lower than normal body temperature. Older people who have
pneumonia may have different, fewer, or milder symptoms. Sometimes they may not have a
fever. Or they may have a cough but not bring up mucus. The main sign of pneumonia in
older adults may be a change in how well they think. Confusion or delirium is common.
Excess sweating and clammy skin may occur too. Or, if they already have a lung disease,
that disease may get worse. When you have mild symptoms, your doctor may call this
"walking pneumonia." White nail syndrome, or leukonychia may occur in certain case.
Symptoms caused by viruses are the same as those caused by bacteria. But they may
come on slowly and often are not as obvious or as bad
 TREATMENT
For most people, pneumonia can be treated at home. It often clears up in 2 to 3 weeks. But
older adults, babies, and people with other diseases can become very ill. They may need to be
in the hospital. Your doctor must first decide whether you need to be in the hospital. If you are
treated in the hospital, you will receive:
fluids and antibiotics through your veins,

7. oxygen therapy, and
Breathing treatments (possibly).
You are more likely to be admitted to the hospital if you:
 Have another serious medical problem,
 have severe symptoms,
 are unable to care for yourself at home,
 or are unable to eat or drink,
 are older than 65,
 have been taking antibiotics at home and
 You are not getting better.
Mild cases of pneumonia can usually be treated at home with antibiotics, rest and fluids. It is
important that you are started on antibiotics very soon after you are admitted. If you have viral
pneumonia, you will not receive antibiotics. This is because antibiotics do not kill viruses. You
will receive other medicines, especially if you have the flu.
When taking antibiotics, do not miss any doses, take the medicine until it is gone,
even when you start to feel better, do not take cough medicine or cold medicine unless your
doctor says it is OK. Coughing helps your body get rid of mucus from your lungs. Breathing
warm, moist (wet) air helps loosen the sticky mucus that may make you feel like you are
choking.
These things may help : place a warm, wet washcloth loosely over your nose and mouth, fill a
humidifier with warm water and breathe in the warm mist, take a couple of deep breaths two or
three times every hour. Deep breaths will help open up your lungs, Tap your chest gently a few
times a day while lying with your head lower than your chest. This helps bring up mucus from
the lungs so that you can cough it out. Do drink plenty of liquids, as long as your health care
provider says it is OK, drink water, juice, or weak tea, drink at least 6 to 10 cups a day.
Do not drink alcohol and get plenty of rest when you go home. If you have trouble
sleeping at night, take naps during the day. People who are otherwise healthy will normally
recover well. For people with other health conditions, pneumonia can sometimes be severe and
may need to be treated in hospital. This is because pneumonia can lead to complications, some

8. of which can be fatal, depending on the health and age of the patient. These include: respiratory
failure (when the lungs cannot take in enough oxygen) due to the air sacs filling with fluid, lung
abscesses and blood poisoning (septicaemia)

9. Prevention
You can help prevent pneumonia by the following the measures. Wash your hands
often, especially before preparing and eating food, After blowing your nose, After going to the
bathroom, After changing a baby's diaper, After coming in contact with people who are sick. Do
not smoke. Tobacco damages your lung's ability to fight infection. Vaccines may help prevent
some types of pneumonia. Be sure to get the following vaccines: Flu vaccine can help prevent
pneumonia caused by the flu virus, Pneumococcal vaccine lowers your chances of getting
pneumonia from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Vaccines are even more important for the elderly
and people with diabetes, asthma, emphysema, HIV, cancer, persons with organ transplants, or
other long-term conditions.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39
C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing up pus. If you are experiencing
severe symptoms – such as rapid breathing, chest pain or confusion – seek urgent medical
attention. It's especially important that people in these high-risk groups see a doctor: Children
younger than age 2 with signs and symptoms, Adults older than age 65, People with an
underlying health condition or weakened immune system, People receiving chemotherapy or
taking medication that suppresses the immune system. For some older adults and people with
heart failure or chronic lung problems, pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening
condition. You may need a chest X-ray or further tests to confirm the diagnosis

10.  http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-topic-overview
 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/basics/definition/con-
20020032
 http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pneumonia/Pages/Introduction.aspx
 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000145.htm