Pneumonia can be described as an infection in one or both lungs that inflames the air sacs. The alveoli are packed with pus causing one to cough with phlegm, fever, and breathing problems (Yabluchansky, Bogun, Martymianova, Bychkova, Lysenko & Brynza, 2017). The pneumonia severity rate varies from moderate to life-threatening. Individuals that may acquire this disease include; infants, young children, people of 65 years or older and anyone with a weakened immune system.
There are various sign and symptoms that may be associated with pneumonia. They include, but not limited to; chest pain when breathing or coughing, altered mental awareness in adults of 65 years or older, production of phlegm when coughing, tiredness, fever accompanied with sweating and shaking chills, and body temperature that is lower than normal especially in adults older than 65 years and persons with weakened defense systems. Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and shortness of breath. These symptoms vary from mild to severe depending on the causative factors (Fischer, Rohde, Indenbirken, Günther, Reumann, Lütgehetmann & Grundhoff, 2014).
Pneumonia can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe are the most prevalent extrinsic triggers. The body is well equipped to defend itself against these germs but may sometimes be overwhelmed. The most common bacteria that causes pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Drijkoningen & Rohde, 2014). Some of the viruses that cause colds and flu can also be attributed to causing pneumonia. Intrinsic factors are commonly found in healthcare facilities like hospitals and long term care facilities. The causative pathogens in these cases are bacteria.
Once the pathogens get into the alveoli, the body responds by sending in white blood cells. The movements of the white blood cells from the blood vessels in to the alveoli is facilitated by the creation of gaps in the membranes of these organs. The gaps, however, do not restrict the movement of red blood cells and other body fluids into the air sacs. This is what results in the filling of the sacs with pus. The occurrence of more pathogens results in more of white blood cells and other attack chemicals to get into air sacs.
The white blood cells die off once they have successfully combated the pathogens. The dead pathogens and white blood cells then form a layer on the fluid that had accumulated in the alveoli. This layer is impenetrable by oxygen getting into the lungs and the carbon dioxide in the blood stream that has to get out of the body. The inhibition of diffusion of the gases leads to hypoxia; low oxygen levels in the body and hypercarbia; high carbon dioxide levels in the body (Rice, S. A. (2014).
If pneumonia is not dealt with at the onset, it might lead to other complications. Among these complications are; Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, Necrosis of lungs, sepsis which further leads to hypotensive shock, and possible multiple organ failure resulting from a combination of other complications (Hawiger, Veach & Zienkiewicz, 2015).
References.
Yabluchansky, M., Bogun, L., Martymianova, L., Bychkova, O., Lysenko, N., & Brynza, M. (2017). Pneumonia.
Fischer, N., Rohde, H., Indenbirken, D., Günther, T., Reumann, K., Lütgehetmann, M., ... & Grundhoff, A. (2014). Rapid metagenomic diagnostics for suspected outbreak of severe pneumonia. Emerging infectious diseases, 20(6), 1072.
Drijkoningen, J. J. C., & Rohde, G. G. U. (2014). Pneumococcal infection in adults: burden of disease. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 20, 45-51.
Rice, S. A. (2014). Human health risk assessment of CO2: survivors of acute high-level exposure and populations sensitive to prolonged low-level exposure. environments, 3(5), 7-15.
Hawiger, J., Veach, R. A., & Zienkiewicz, J. (2015). New paradigms in sepsis: from prevention to protection of failing microcirculation. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 13(10), 1743-1756.
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