Taking pneumonia seriously

PNEUMONIA IS A SERIOUS RESPIRATORY INFECTION WHICH CAN AFFECT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. GLOBALLY, IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AROUND 14% OF ALL DEATHS IN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AND IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF HOSPITALISATION AND DEATH AMONG ADULTS.1,2

The causes

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. The bacterial type of pneumonia is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most common cause of viral pneumonia, however, is the flu virus (COVID-19 is part of the same family as the flu virus, which is why pneumonia can be a serious complication of COVID).3 Meanwhile, fungal pneumonia is more commonly seen in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or who have had an organ transplant. Community-acquired pneumonia refers to a location of transmission rather than a method. It includes infections that occur outside of healthcare settings such as through proximity to the virus in a home or other enclosed area. This type is spread by droplets from coughing or sneezing, or through contact with contaminated surfaces.3

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), on the other hand, refers to infections that develop during or after a hospital stay. Patients on ventilators or with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of developing HAP.4 HAP is often caused by bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics, which can make it more difficult to treat.

The symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms can vary, depending on the cause and severity of the infection. They include:3

• Coughing (with or without mucus)

• Fever

• Chills

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Fatigue

• Sweating

• Headache

• Muscle pain

The diagnosis

If you suspect you may have pneumonia, you should seek medical attention right away. Your Doctor will likely perform a physical exam and may order a chest X-ray or other imaging tests to look for signs of infection in your lungs. They may also order blood tests to check for signs of infection, such as an elevated white blood cell count.

In some cases, they may collect a sample of your sputum (mucus coughed up from your lungs) or your blood to identify whether your pneumonia is bacterial, viral or fungal.5 Alternatively, a PCR or antigen detection may help identify parasitic pneumonia. This information can help to guide treatment decisions.

Treating pneumonia

Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the infection. In most cases, antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial pneumonia, while antivirals are used to treat viral pneumonia and fungal pneumonia is treated with antifungal medications.

Any course of antibiotics should be completed, even if you start feeling better before the medication is finished. If you don’t complete the course this could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could be more difficult to treat in the future.

Other treatments may also be recommended to help manage symptoms and support your recovery, such as:3

• rest and hydration to help your body fight off the infection and recover more quickly

• breathing treatments to help open up your airways and improve your breathing

• oxygen therapy to ensure you’re getting enough oxygen

• hospitalisation for patients with severe pneumonia, for close monitoring and specialist treatment.

Preventing pneumonia

Pneumonia should be taken seriously. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure, sepsis, and even death.3 Those at a higher risk of developing pneumonia need to take steps to avoid it, for example:6

• Getting vaccinated:3 There is vaccine protection against certain types of bacterial and viral pneumonia, such as the pneumococcal vaccine for a common cause of bacterial pneumonia. The flu vaccine can also help reduce the risk of viral pneumonia. Your local healthcare provider can talk you through your options.

• Practising good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Quitting smoking: Lung damage caused by smoking can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections like pneumonia. Giving it up can help reduce the risk of pneumonia and other respiratory infections.

• Managing underlying health conditions: Chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and COPD can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of pneumonia. Managing these conditions through medication and lifestyle changes can help to reduce that risk.

If you suspect that you are at a higher risk of developing pneumonia, talk to your healthcare provider about how to protect yourself and manage any underlying health conditions. With proper prevention and treatment, many cases of pneumonia can be successfully managed and resolved.

1Pneumonia in children: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/pneumonia

2Community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization among US adults: https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728150/

3Pneumonia https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pneumonia

4Hospital-acquired pneumonia: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/home/lung-andairway-disorders/pneumonia/hospital-acquired-pneumonia

5Routine sputum culture: https://www.healthline.com/health/routine-sputum-culture

6Pneumonia: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ pneumonia