Could this fever and bad cough be a sign of pneumonia ?

Pneumonia is an infection caused by microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is an inflammation of one or both lungs. Pneumonia infections caused by bacteria or fungi can be treated by antibiotics but not those caused by viruses.

What are the different kinds of pneumonia ?

Different types of organisms cause pneumonia but they are generally grouped into 2.

Bacterial pneumonia : This usually results in sudden symptoms.  Streptococcus pneumoniae is the usual cause but other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Mycoplasma pneumonia can also cause it.

Viral pneumonia : It usually starts as a cold and symptoms get worse slowly and steadily. This type is less severe than bacterial pneumonia.  Viruses responsible for this type include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, and the flu virus.

What symptoms are associated with pneumonia ?

Symptoms may differ depending on the type, your age and whether or not you have any pre existing condition. However the general symptoms include :

 
• coughing
• fever
• chills
• headache
• shortness  of breath
• muscle ache
• sore throat
• fatigue
• sneezing

What are the treatment options ?

Treatment depends on the type and the severity of the infection. Your age and  overall health also play a part. Treatment option include :

Antibiotics : It is used to bacterial pneumonia . Choosing a particular antibiotic for your pneumonia may involve trial and error in which your doctor may prescribe one antibiotic and change it to another if it doesn’t work. It is essential to take the whole dose of the antibiotics even if you start to feel better.

Antiviral medications : These are used for  viral pneumonia . Antibiotics don’t work well for the viral type.

You may also be given pain medications such as aspirin, naproxen, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat fever. Cough medication may be given to relief cough.

How can I protect my child from pneumonia ?

There are a number of vaccines that are effective against pneumonia. These include :

 
• Hib
• DTap
• MMR
• flu ( This for children who are at least 6 months old )
• chicken pox
• pneumococcal vaccines

 
Practicing good personal hygiene such as these can also prevent this infections

 
• wash you and your child’s hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection
• don’t share personal items such as utensils and cups
• always wash and disinfect places or items  prone to germs such as , like the phone, toys, doorknobs

 
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