Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. It is a common condition affecting 4 to 5 million Americans each year. Infection is the most common cause of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Bacterial infections are the most common causes of serious cases of pneumonia. Community-acquired pneumonia is a term used to describe pneumonia that is not acquired in a nursing home or hospital setting. Infections with Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus) are the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Many other bacteria, viruses and fungi have been identified as causes of pneumonia. Identifying the causative organism can be difficult, as it may not be known in 30-50% of cases. Despite the availability of a wide variety of antibiotics to treat infections, pneumonia is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever, chills, and shortness of breath. Cough may include the production of greenish, yellowish or bloody mucus. Fever can be either mild or high. Shortness of breath can be associated with even low-level exertion such as climbing stairs. Other symptoms may include headache, sharp pain associated with breathing or coughing, sweating, loss of appetite, fatigue, and confusion (which is most common in the elderly).

Diagnosis is made by physical examination, blood tests, chest x-rays, and cultures to identify the infectious organism. Breathing is difficult and often rapid. Crackles can be heard in the lungs with a stethoscope. CBC is a blood test used to determine if your white blood cell count is elevated, indicating an infection. Arterial blood gases will show if oxygen levels are lower, indicating poor gas exchange in the lungs.

Many cases of pneumonia can be treated at home. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. The choice of an antibiotic will depend on different factors, including the suspected organism and the health of the patient. Antibiotics are not effective to treat viral pneumonia but they still might be used to prevent a secondary bacterial infection. It is important to drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm. Rest is very important. You should get someone to help with household chores as you recover. More serious cases may require hospitalization especially with other serious medical conditions, very severe symptoms, inability to care for oneself at home, age of 65 or older, the very young, and failure to improve at home while on antibiotics. Most cases will take about 2 weeks to clear up, but it may take longer for fluid in the lungs to clear and breathing to return to normal.

Prevention includes frequent hand washing especially after blowing your nose, going to the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food. Smoking increases the risk of infection. Vaccination for the most common cause of infection by pneumococcus is recommended for everyone 65 years old or older, those at increased risk from chronic illness (diabetes, COPD, etc), those who do not have a spleen, and immunocompromised individuals. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to reduce the risk of a serious case of the disease.

References: http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/infectious-disease/community-acquired-pneumonia/, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000145.htm.

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