Pneumonia

Diagnosis

To diagnose pneumonia, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam, including using a stethoscope to listen for abnormal sounds in the lungs such as bubbling or crackling.

If pneumonia is suspected, the following tests may be recommended:

• Blood tests: These help confirm an infection and attempt to identify the causative organism, although precise identification may not always be possible.
• Chest x-ray: Assists in diagnosing pneumonia and determining the infection’s extent and location, but does not specify the type of germ responsible.
• Pulse oximetry: Measures the oxygen level in your blood, as pneumonia can hinder your lungs’ ability to move enough oxygen into your bloodstream.
• Sputum test: Involves analyzing a sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) obtained after a deep cough to help identify the infection source.

Additional tests may be ordered for certain individuals, such as those over 65, hospitalized patients, or those with severe symptoms or underlying health conditions:
Computed tomography (CT) scan: Recommended if pneumonia does not improve as expected, providing a more detailed image of your lungs.
Pleural fluid culture: Involves extracting and analyzing fluid from the pleural space using a needle to help identify the infection type.

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, and ibuprofen.
• 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, zanamivir, or peramivir.

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.