Pneumonia 2
A CASE STUDY ON PNEUMONIA
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A Case Study on Pneumonia
Overview
Across the globe, Pneumonia is one of the potentially fatal infections that affect both the individual and the health systems. Pneumonia is an inflammation that mostly affects the bronchioles and alveoli of the lungs. It is caused by an infectious agent linked to hematogenous spread or breathing in into the lungs. The infectious agent may include bacteria, viruses or fungi. As a result, the inflammation causes the air sac, or alveoli of the lungs to be filled with fluid or pus. The infection is often characterized by a sharp pain in the chest, high fever, difficulties in breathing, rapid breathing, and a cough that might be accompanied by thick phlegm. Regarding the level of severity, Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. However, it is fatal among newborns, and young children, individuals older than the age of 65, and individuals with medical issues or deteriorated immune systems. Comment by Author: What does this mean ?
Causes
Pneumonia is spread by a variety of germs which include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and also parasites. However, the main causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. After inhaling the germs, they can settle in the alveoli inside the lungs and later multiply. In view of this, Pneumonia can be contagious since the germs that cause the disease are usually inhaled (Porth 2005, p. 666). Ones the bacteria or virus attack the lungs, the body reacts by sending white platelets to counter-attack the infection.
Further, the germs will cause the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed. The germ will then fill up the air sacs with fluid or pus which subsequently results in the pneumonia infection. Pneumonia is categorized based on the types of germs that cause it and where an individual contacted the infection. Arguably, pneumonia is usually associated with the pneumococcal infection, which is caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. This kind of pneumonia can occur on its own or after one has had a cold or a bad flu. It attacks one side (lobe) of the lungs, causing a condition referred to as lobar pneumonia (Porth, 2005; p. 667). However, there are several other different kinds of bacteria that can cause pneumonia which include Haemophilus influenza and Staphylococcus aureus. Comment by Author: Unscientific Comment by Author: British enghlish Comment by Author: What does this mean
Besides bacterial pneumonia, other types of pneumonia are common among patients. They include viral pneumonia which is normally caused by the respiratory syncytial infection (RSV) and occasionally types A or B influenza. This type of pneumonia mostly affects the young children. The second type is aspiration pneumonia which is caused by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, for example, peanut or harmful substances such as contaminated chemicals or smoke (“Pneumonia symptoms, causes and risk factors”, 2016; n.p). The third type is known as fungal pneumonia. Different kinds of fungi are responsible for this type of pneumonia such as Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, and Coccidioides. Despite that it is rare; individuals with weak immune systems are likely to be infected with this type of infection.
Lastly, hospital-acquired pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that mostly develops in health centers such as hospitals. This occurs while being treated for another illness or probably having an operation (Chesnutt and Prendergast, 2007; p. 252). Patients who have been admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) and are on breathing machines are mostly at risk of contracting ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Diagnosis Test
Occasionally, pneumonia can be hard to diagnose since the symptoms vary from one person to another, and are frequently similar to those experienced in a cold or influenza. The illness also shares many signs and symptoms with other illnesses, for instance, asthma and bronchitis (Chesnut and Prendergast, 2007; p. 256). Hence, for a doctor to diagnose pneumonia, and make an effort to identify the germ that is causing the infection, the doctor will inquire about the patient’s medical history, complete a physical analysis, and run a few tests
Medical history
In this case, the doctor will inquire about the patient’s signs and symptoms, and how and when the symptoms started. To help figure out if the patient’s infection is brought about by bacteria, viruses or fungi, the doctor may ask the patients about possible exposures. For instance, any ongoing or previous travel, the occupation of the patient, any contact with animals, and exposure to other infected individuals at home, workplace or school, and whether the patient has had any other sickness.
Physical exam
The medical practitioner will listen to the rhythm of the patient’s lungs using a stethoscope. In case the patient has pneumonia, the patient’s lungs may make crackling, fizzy, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when he or she inhales.
Diagnostic tests
If the doctor suspects the patient to be infected with the illness, some more tests will be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and study more about the infection. The tests to be conducted include blood tests that are done to affirm the infection as well as detect the kind of germ that is causing the infection. Additionally, a chest X-ray is done to find the area and extent of inflammation in the patient’s lungs (Fein et al., 2006; p.45). The pulse oximetry is also conducted. This is done to measure the level of oxygen in the patient’s blood since pneumonia can prevent the patient’s lungs from transferring sufficient oxygen into the patient’s bloodstream. A Sputum test will be carried out during the diagnostic tests. This test is conducted on a sample of mucus (the sputum) which is taken after a deep cough, to help the doctor identify the source and cause of the infection. Comment by Author: the method of diagnosis has to be sourced from 2015 and onwards. Comment by Author: Needs to be sourced from 2015 onwards
Progression tests
In some instances, the patients may be considered to be at a high-risk due to their age and general health conditions. The doctor may consider carrying out more tests which may include; taking a CT scan of the patient’s chest to get a clear view of the lungs. It will also allow the doctor to check for any abscesses if available or other medical complications. An arterial blood gas test can be done as well. The doctor can also carry out a bronchoscopy, which will help look into the lungs airways. Comment by Author: Is there a source for this. Is it recent ?
Treatment
Pneumonia treatment depends on the type of pneumonia that the patient contacted, the germ or infectious agent causing the illness, and the severity of the illness. Most individuals, who have been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia which arguably is the most popular type of pneumonia, are usually discharged and treated at home. The main objectives of undergoing treatment are to cure the illness and prevent any other complications that may arise (Porth 2005, p. 669). Comment by Author: The source needs to be from 2015 and onwards
Bacterial pneumonia
In instances where the patient has Bacterial pneumonia, the patient is treated using antibiotics. The patient takes the medicine dosage according to the doctor’s prescription. In most individuals, their health starts improving after a day or two of taking the antibiotics.
Viral pneumonia
Ironically, when it comes to viral pneumonia, antibiotics are not prescribed for the patient. If the infection is caused by a virus, the doctor may advise the patient to take an antiviral medicine with progress evident in one to three days. Comment by Author: Not scientific
Treatment Advice
However, in case the patient’s symptoms get worse they should visit a doctor immediately. If the symptoms become severe, or the patient develops other health problems, they may need to be treated in a hospital (Groom et al. 2014, p; 465). Most likely, it takes several weeks for one to recover from pneumonia. If a patient is diagnosed with pneumonia, they have to follow their treatment plan, as prescribed by the doctor, and go for regular checkups.
References
Chesnutt MS, Prendergast TJ. (2007). Pneumonia. In: McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM Jr., eds. 2007 Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 46th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill: 252–256. Comment by Author: Needs to be from 2015 and onwards
Fein, A., Grossman, R. and Ost, D., 2006. Diagnosis and management of pneumonia and other
respiratory infections. Professional Communications. Pp45
Groom, A. V., Hennessy, T. W., Singleton, R. J., Butler, J. C., Holve, S., & Cheek, J. E. (2014). Pneumonia and influenza mortality among American Indian and Alaska native people, 1990-2009. American journal of public health, 104, 3, pp. 465. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24754620
Pneumonia symptoms, causes, and risk factors.(2016). Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease- lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-causes-and-risk.html
Porth CM. Pneumonias. (2005). In: Porth CM, ed. Pathophysiology—Concepts of Altered Disease States. 7th Ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: 666–669
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