Pneumonia

Diagnosis

The following procedure will assist the healthcare provider to properly diagnose pneumonia.

• Physical examination: Inquiring about your medical history and performing a physical examination are the first steps your healthcare provider will take. During this process, they will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs for any unusual bubbling or crackling sounds that could indicate pneumonia.
  Should your healthcare provider suspect pneumonia, and in order to try to identify the origin of your pneumonia, they may run tests that assess lung function, check your lungs for symptoms of infection, and analyze blood or other bodily fluids.
• Blood tests: In order to determine the type of organism causing the disease and to confirm the infection, blood tests are performed.
• Imaging test: Your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose pneumonia and identify the location and severity of the disease with the use of the chest x-ray. To get a more precise picture of your lungs, your healthcare provider might recommend a chest CT scan if your pneumonia isn’t improving as expected.
• Pulse oximetry: The oxygen content of your blood is determined by this device. This will help your healthcare provider determine how effectively your lungs are functioning. Too little oxygen can enter your bloodstream through your lungs due to pneumonia.
• Sputum test: In order to gather a sample for analysis in a lab, you will be requested to cough and then spit into a container. The laboratory will search for indications of an infection and attempt to identify its cause.
• Arterial blood gas: In order to determine how well your lungs are functioning, your healthcare professional draws blood from your wrist, arm, or groin.
• Pleural fluid culture: Your healthcare provider will draw fluid from the area surrounding your lungs using a small needle and it is examined to assist identify the kind of infection

Treatment

The primary objective in treating pneumonia is to eradicate the illness entirely and prevent any associated complications. In many instances of community-acquired pneumonia, treatment can be administered through medication at home. While most symptoms typically subside within a few days or weeks, fatigue may linger for up to a month.

The type and severity of your pneumonia, your age, and your general health will all affect the specific treatments you receive. Among the treatment option includes:

• Cough medicine: You can use this medication to stop coughing so you can get some rest. It’s a good idea to keep coughing since it helps in the movement and release of fluid from your lungs. Furthermore, you should be aware that not many research have examined the possibility that coughing produced by pneumonia can be lessened by using over-the-counter medications. Try using the lowest dose of a cough suppressant that allows you to get the most rest.
• Fever/ pain medications: These can be taken as needed to treat pain and fever. These consist of medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.).
• Antibiotics: Bacterial pneumonia is treated with these medications. Selecting the appropriate antibiotic to treat your pneumonia may require some time to determine the type of bacteria causing it. The healthcare provider might suggest switching to an alternative antibiotic if your symptoms don’t get better.
• Anti-viral: The majority of the time, viral pneumonia resolves on its own without the need for treatment. To shorten the duration of a viral infection and lessen its severity, a healthcare provider may recommend antivirals such oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), or peramivir (Rapivab®).

Hospitalization may be required under certain circumstances. If you are 65 years of age or older, experience confusion concerning time, people, or places, or notice a decline in kidney function, seeking medical attention is advisable.

Additionally, if your systolic blood pressure drops below 90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or your diastolic blood pressure is 60 mm Hg or lower, medical intervention may be necessary. Rapid breathing, indicated by 30 breaths or more per minute, or the need for breathing assistance, are further indicators for seeking medical care. A body temperature below the normal range, or a heart rate below 50 or exceeding 100 beats per minute, also need medical attention. These signs should prompt consideration for hospitalization and appropriate medical management.

Patients may require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) if they necessitate mechanical ventilation or if their symptoms are severe.

For children, hospitalization might be necessary if they are under 2 months old, exhibit lethargy or excessive drowsiness, encounter breathing challenges, display low blood oxygen levels, or demonstrate signs of dehydration. These circumstances in children require medical attention and potential hospitalization to ensure thorough assessment and appropriate management.