5 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Pneumonia

Pneumonia kills. Yes. It kills more children around the world, and it does so without any discrimination. No matter how you look at it, it doesn't get any better. Globally, around 800,000 children under the age of five lose their lives to this disease, and these are just the reported numbers. So the real numbers will be much higher, probably crossing the million mark.

Now, if you had a baby or grew up in a household where there was one, you might have indeed seen parents and doctors being overtly careful about not exposing the infants to Pneumonia. But the thing with Pneumonia is that it is extremely efficient, and it has been around for such a long time that people have stopped talking about it. Well, if you fall in that bunch, you're in for a shock here, reader! Read on!

1. There are different types of Pneumonia:

There are different kinds of Pneumonia—surprise, surprise—and there's not just one strain or one variety wreaking havoc amongst the population—there's an entire catalogue.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia -

This is something you contract during your hospital stint.

If you are on a breathing machine or cannot cough powerfully enough to clear your lungs. Then you might acquire Pneumonia. Another hospital-acquired pneumonia, nosocomial Pneumonia, is a lower respiratory infection that shows up a couple of days after hospitalisation.

Bacterial Pneumonia -

The most prevalent one is Streptococcus (pneumococcus), but other bacteria can also make this happen. If you are young and healthy, this bacteria can reside in your throat without causing any apparent issues. However, if your body's defences or immune system becomes compromised for some reason, that bacteria can go down into the lungs. Fluid fills up in them, and that results in Pneumonia.

Walking Pneumonia -

With this form of Pneumonia, you might feel strong enough to go about your regular activities, which is why it's called "walking" Pneumonia in the first place. You might walk around acting as if nothing has happened. The fact of the matter, however, is that you have Pneumonia.

Walking pneumonia can really imitate a common cold, with symptoms like fever, cough, headache, and chills.

The doctor will most probably administer antibiotics to treat the infection, which is the order of the day for bacterial Pneumonia. Your doctor might also conduct tests to find the kind of bacteria responsible for the infection so that you can get the correct one.

Viral Pneumonia -

The most recurrent cause is the flu; however, the common cold and other viruses can also cause viral Pneumonia. Usually stuck to the top half of the respiratory system, viruses invade the lungs and cause trouble.

The symptoms of viral Pneumonia are not unlike those of the flu, including muscle pain, fever, chills, loss of appetite… you know the drill.

Fungal Pneumonia -

Fungi usually do not cause Pneumonia. You will probably not contract this disease if you are healthy. - However, if you have undergone an organ transplant, or if you are a farmer or someone who handles animal manure, you can show symptoms of Fungal Pneumonia.

Community-acquired Pneumonia is Pneumonia acquired outside the realms of a hospital. The most common pathogens are Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, atypical bacteria, and viruses. Basically, Pneumonia that has been contracted outside hospitals and healthcare facilities can be termed community-acquired Pneumonia.

This type of Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that can result in symptoms like cough, issues with breathing, fever, chest pain and fatigue. This infection inherently results from viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that are inhaled or invade the respiratory system. This sort of Pneumonia warrants immediate hospitalisation lest the symptoms get out of hand. If you are suffering from community-acquired Pneumonia, please consult a healthcare provider immediately.

Breast milk has a lot in its favour that protects babies from infection, including:

Immunoglobulin - This coats the intestinal mucosa to prevent bacteria from invading cells.

While blood cells - These kill microorganisms.

Whey Proteins - They kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Oligosaccharides - These do not allow bacteria to attach to mucosal surfaces.

According to studies, infants who have been breastfed for just four or less than six months are four times more likely to develop Pneumonia during the first two years of their lives. If babies are breastfed for six months, their immunity levels are higher, and they are at a lesser risk of developing Pneumonia.

Like scores of other bacteria and viruses, our bodies play host to a slew of potentially harmful germs that don't affect us, thanks to our immune system. These bacteria are clever—when the immune system is compromised, they strike, wreaking havoc on our body.

While the symptoms of Pneumonia and bronchitis are common, with fever, a constant cough, and sometimes breathing issues, they are separate conditions. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes, which bring air to the lungs, become inflamed and infected. Pneumonia, on the other hand, impacts the air sacs where the lungs absorb oxygen.

Getting a chest X-ray can typically show you the differences between the two illnesses so your doctor can administer the appropriate treatment for your contracted illness. Don't get confused between Pneumonia and bronchitis. They are different ailments warranting different courses of treatment.

In terms of contagiousness, Pneumonia itself is not that contagious (we admit the clickbait!). The probability of its spreading depends on the kind of germ responsible for the infection. Pneumonia can spring out from viruses such as influenza (flu) and COVID-19 or from bacteria such as sinus infections. Varieties like fungal Pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia do not happen to be contagious.

To conclude, while Pneumonia might occur for several reasons elaborated above, the course of treatment depends on how you contracted this disease. Considering the source, the doctor might give you several antibiotics to help you recover. With several causes and different symptoms, you don't get confused because of Pneumonia.

The symptoms are such that you might wonder whether you've contracted something more serious. High fever, bloody mucus, chest pain and shortness of breath should never be ignored. Ensure you receive medical attention when your body explicitly tells you something is wrong.