ASK THE
What do I need to know about Pneumonia? Yu Zheng Wang, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesPharm.D Candidate 2013 Paul Pagnotta, Pharmacist and Co-Owner, Four Corners Pharmacy
What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria or viruses that can lead to mild to severe illness. For most people who develop pneumonia, it will resolve in two to three weeks with treatment. Some people (adults over the age of 65, children under the age of 5, and immune-compromised patients) are at higher risk of developing severe complications requiring hospitalization. 1 What are symptoms of pneumonia?2 • Cough ( sputum may be green or rusty in color) • Fever • Rapid breathing or shortness of breath • Chills • Chest pain • Fast heart rate • Nausea/vomiting • Diarrhea Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria are usually more severe and have quicker onset. Older people may have different symptoms. For example, they may not produce sputum when coughing or may not develop a fever. Frequently, confusion is the main sign of pneumonia in elderly adults. 2 Who is at risk of developing pneumonia complications? Everyone is at risk of getting pneumonia.People can get pneumonia all year round, but it is most common in the winter time and early spring. 2Pneumonia can be spread through the air, by direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces. Pneumonia starts when you breathe in pneumonia causing bacteria or viruses into the lungs. Therefore having a cold or the flu makes you more susceptible to developing pneumonia. Once the germs settle into your lungs, it is a battle between the germs and your immune system. Children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65 and those who have chronic disease such as asthma, heart disease, cancer or diabetes are at greater risk of developing pneumonia with complications because their immune systems may not be as strong as healthy persons. What are the treatment options for pneumonia? For viral originated pneumonia, patients usually heal on their own with rest and some relief with cough and cold medications. In cases of pneumonia caused by bacteria, doctors will often prescribe antibiotics. Mild cases of pneumonia can be treated at home with oral antibiotics and rest while severe cases of pneumonia often require hospitalization with IV antibiotics and sometimes other support. How to reduce the risk of developing pneumonia? 1 • Practice good hygiene (washing your hands, cleaning hard surfaces that are often touched by people, cover up your mouth when sneezing and coughing) • Get your flu shot (pneumonia is often a secondary complication of the flu) • Get your pneumococcal vaccine Who should receive pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)? During childhood, everyone should have received a series of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7 or PCV 13). Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is a single dose vaccine indicated for: • Adults > 65 years 3 • Adults between 19-64 years old who smoke cigarettes3 • Adults between the age of 19 to 64 who have asthma 3 • People between the age of 2 to 64 who have chronic illness (heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, functional or anatomic asplenia, immunosuppressed) 3 There is no need for revaccination unless you meet the following criteria: • If you are over 65 years old and received the initial dose more than 5 years ago AND was younger than 65 years when the first dose was administered. 3 • If you are between the age of 2 and 64 with chronic illness AND the first dose was received more than 5 years ago. 3 36
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