Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionComplicationsPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
Prognosis
It is a severe respiratory infection that develops quickly (acute) and affects the small air sacs in the lungs—called the alveoli—causing them to fill up with pus and fluid.
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This article will explore the symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, complications, and prognosis of bacterial pneumonia.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia can vary from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe breathing problems and serious complications.The severity of pneumonia depends on the particular type of bacteria causing the infection, a person’s overall health, and age. Children less than 2 years old and adults more than 65 years old have an immune system that is often not strong enough to fight off diseases such as pneumonia.
Common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:
Bacterial pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It is usually more serious than viral pneumonia and often requires medical intervention.
In bacterial pneumonia, the fever can spike suddenly to as high as 105 degrees F,causing profuse sweating, rapid heart rate, and an increase in breathing rate. A person can become confused or delirious, and lips and nail beds are often slightly bluish in color from lack of adequate oxygen.
There are typical and atypical bacterial causes of pneumonia, including the pathogens (germs) that are the underlying cause.
A person is more apt to be exposed to certain types of pathogens (bacteria) in different environments. For example:
People at high risk for bacterial pneumonia include:
Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often mimic those of disorders such as the common cold or influenza.To diagnose pneumonia, the healthcare provider will get a thorough history, do a physical examination, and perform some tests.
Medical History
Because certain environments can expose a person to different pathogens (germs), the diagnostician will ask questions about frequent travel, exposure to various vectors (such as certain types of birds), as well as any close contact with other sick people.
Physical Exam
A physical examination will be performed to check for signs and symptoms of pneumonia. The healthcare provider will listen to the lungs with a stethoscope, observing for any telltale signs of pneumonia such as wheezes, crackling, or rumbling sounds when a person breathes in or out.
Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infection and Lung Effects
Diagnostic Tests
Several different types of diagnostic tests may be performed to diagnose pneumonia, including:
What Makes Pneumonitis vs. Pneumonia Different?
Treatment of bacterial pneumonia depends on the severity of symptoms, the type of pathogen (bacteria), and other factors. Most of the time, pneumonia can be treated in a home setting, but in severe cases, hospitalization may be needed.
Treatment may include:
Home instructions to promote recovery from bacterial pneumonia may include:
Antibiotics for PneumoniaIf you receive antibiotics as part of your treatment modality for pneumonia, be sure to take them exactly as prescribed and finish your full prescription. Stopping the use of antibiotics midway through the treatment regime lends itself to superinfections (infection occurring on top of previous infection) and creates bacteria which are ineffective for treating certain types of germs.
Antibiotics for Pneumonia
If you receive antibiotics as part of your treatment modality for pneumonia, be sure to take them exactly as prescribed and finish your full prescription. Stopping the use of antibiotics midway through the treatment regime lends itself to superinfections (infection occurring on top of previous infection) and creates bacteria which are ineffective for treating certain types of germs.
Vaccinations can help prevent certain types of bacterial pneumonia,includingStreptococcus pneumoniae, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children from 3 months to 3 years of age. The pneumococcal vaccine series begins at age 2 months and is said to significantly lower the rate of pneumonia from this bacteria.
The pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for anyone at high risk of getting bacterial pneumonia (such as children less than 5 years old and adults ages 65 and older).
Vaccinations for other childhood diseases that can lead to bacterial pneumonia include those for:
Note, severe complications of pneumonia are more likely in those who are immune compromised or otherwise at high risk (such as small children and elderly adults).
The prognosis is the expected outcome of treatment, based on clinical research studies. The prognosis of bacterial pneumonia varies widely, depending on the type of pathogen that causes pneumonia, the age and general health of the person with pneumonia, and other factors.
A healthy adult usually recovers promptly from pneumonia when given proper care. But there can be some long-term health issues, such as:
Additionally, children who have pneumonia may develop chronic (long-term) lung disorders.
Your healthcare provider can talk to you about your prognosis, based on your risk factors (if any), as well as other influences linked with the prognosis of pneumonia.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Pneumonia key facts.Cleveland Clinic.Pneumonia.Shah SN, Bachur RG, Simel DL, Neuman MI.Does this child have pneumonia? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA. 2017;318(5):462-471. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.9039American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Calik S, Ari A, Bilgir O, Cetintepe T, Yis R, Sonmez U, Tosun S.The relationship between mortality and microbiological parameters in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.Saudi Med J. 2018;39(9):878-885. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.9.22824Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is pneumonia?Hunton R.Updated concepts in the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia.JAAPA. 2019;32(10):18-23. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000580528.33851.0cAlicino C, Paganino C, Orsi A, et al.The impact of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalization for pneumonia in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Vaccine. 2017;35(43):5776-5785. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.09.005
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Pneumonia key facts.Cleveland Clinic.Pneumonia.Shah SN, Bachur RG, Simel DL, Neuman MI.Does this child have pneumonia? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA. 2017;318(5):462-471. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.9039American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Calik S, Ari A, Bilgir O, Cetintepe T, Yis R, Sonmez U, Tosun S.The relationship between mortality and microbiological parameters in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.Saudi Med J. 2018;39(9):878-885. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.9.22824Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is pneumonia?Hunton R.Updated concepts in the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia.JAAPA. 2019;32(10):18-23. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000580528.33851.0cAlicino C, Paganino C, Orsi A, et al.The impact of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalization for pneumonia in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Vaccine. 2017;35(43):5776-5785. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.09.005
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Pneumonia key facts.Cleveland Clinic.Pneumonia.Shah SN, Bachur RG, Simel DL, Neuman MI.Does this child have pneumonia? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA. 2017;318(5):462-471. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.9039American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Calik S, Ari A, Bilgir O, Cetintepe T, Yis R, Sonmez U, Tosun S.The relationship between mortality and microbiological parameters in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.Saudi Med J. 2018;39(9):878-885. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.9.22824Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is pneumonia?Hunton R.Updated concepts in the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia.JAAPA. 2019;32(10):18-23. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000580528.33851.0cAlicino C, Paganino C, Orsi A, et al.The impact of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalization for pneumonia in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Vaccine. 2017;35(43):5776-5785. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.09.005
World Health Organization.Pneumonia key facts.
Cleveland Clinic.Pneumonia.
Shah SN, Bachur RG, Simel DL, Neuman MI.Does this child have pneumonia? The rational clinical examination systematic review.JAMA. 2017;318(5):462-471. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.9039
American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.
Calik S, Ari A, Bilgir O, Cetintepe T, Yis R, Sonmez U, Tosun S.The relationship between mortality and microbiological parameters in febrile neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies.Saudi Med J. 2018;39(9):878-885. doi:10.15537/smj.2018.9.22824
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is pneumonia?
Hunton R.Updated concepts in the diagnosis and management of community-acquired pneumonia.JAAPA. 2019;32(10):18-23. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000580528.33851.0c
Alicino C, Paganino C, Orsi A, et al.The impact of 10-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalization for pneumonia in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Vaccine. 2017;35(43):5776-5785. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.09.005
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