The recent story of Glen Frey’s death caught us off guard. Frey died at the age of 67 after a battle with pneumonia along with other health conditions.
This is just one reminder that the consequences of pneumonia can be deadly-especially when health is already affected by other issues. In fact, pneumonia is the cause of over fifty thousand deaths per year. Unfortunately, many who have pneumonia don’t even know it.
Even more concerning, the symptoms of pneumonia can often be confused with those of a simple cold. Both can cause coughing. Both can make you feel tired. And both can come with excess mucus.
So just what is pneumonia?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pneumonia is a lung infection that can come from a variety of different things (more than thirty to be exact). This health condition is said to be triggered by bacteria, viruses, and in some cases fungi. More than thirty percent of cases of pneumonia are caused by viruses - like the flu, which is the front runner in the cause of viral pneumonia amongst adults.
Pneumonia causes inflammation in which one’s airways swell. As a result, the air sacs of the lungs become filled with mucus. This affects the body’s ability to get oxygen into the blood.
Pneumonia can occur in just one lung or both. When pneumonia occurs in both lungs, it is called double pneumonia. The thing is that pneumonia can be silent. In fact, it can be so mild it might not be noticed, as in the case of walking pneumonia.
Some have a higher risk of developing pneumonia than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, your risk of getting pneumonia increases if you have a chronic disease-like asthma or heart disease. In addition, those with weak immune systems have a higher risk of getting pneumonia. This can include those who are in chemotherapy or those have HIV/AIDS. Further, smoking increases the risk of developing this illness. And your risk is elevated if you’re hospitalized (particularly if you’ve been placed on a ventilator).
There are two types of pneumonia: viral and bacterial. And both can present with differing symptoms. Viral pneumonia usually results in coughing without mucus. But bacterial pneumonia often presents with mucus and at times a high fever. Further, viral pneumonia is usually milder than bacterial pneumonia, making hospitalization less likely.
According to the American Lung Association, the symptoms of pneumonia can be either mild or severe. This depends on how healthy you are, what type of pneumonia you have, and how old you are. However, most commonly, the symptoms of pneumonia include: a cough which may be green or yellow and may include bloody mucus, a fever, noticeable shortness of breath upon physical exertion (like climbing the stairs), and the chills.
That said, other symptoms can occur. These can be: chest pain that elevates if you take a deep breath or cough, a headache, sweating, clamminess, tiredness and decreased energy, a lack of appetite, and confusion (which is most common in those who are older).
Interestingly pneumonia can be spread to others. This can occur through coughing, sneezing, and breathing. That’s why experts advise those who have pneumonia to limit contact with others.
So how do you tell the difference between a simple cold and pneumonia?
One of the biggest factors in determining the difference between pneumonia and a cold is how long symptoms last. “Pneumonia symptoms last longer than the cold and flu,” says Dr. Marie Budev, a pulmonologist and the Medical Director of Cleveland Clinic’s lung transplant program in an article published by the facility. Burdev says that if symptoms last more than three to five days, it’s necessary to see a doctor.
To diagnose pneumonia, your doctor may perform a number of tests. The first will be a chest x-ray. This allows healthcare providers to see if you have pneumonia and where it’s located. That said, a chest x-ray can’t determine the cause of pneumonia.
This is where blood tests come into play. Blood tests can tell doctors what’s causing pneumonia (if this is at all possible). In some cases, doctors can’t determine the exact cause.
Further, doctors may run a test called pulse oximetry to determine how much oxygen is in the blood. That’s because pneumonia is known to decrease the amount of oxygen delivered to the system.
In addition, doctors may perform a sputum test. This allows healthcare providers to examine fluids coughed up.
If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, treatments may differ depending upon the type. If doctors determine the cause as bacterial pneumonia, you will most likely be given antibiotics. In serious cases, hospitalization is also possible. In this case, you will be put on oxygen and given intravenous fluids and breathing treatments. In addition, fever will be stabilized. In most cases, bacterial pneumonia can be treated in one to two days.
Treatment for viral pneumonia is different. Because antibiotics can’t fight viruses, they are not usually given unless a person has a simultaneous bacterial infection. However, medications for fever will be recommended. In addition, breathing treatments may be used. You’re less likely to be hospitalized for viral pneumonia. And generally, you’ll start to feel better within a few days.
There are a number of things you can do to prevent pneumonia. The first is to get a pneumonia shot. This protects against the most common type of bacterial pneumonia, which is the streptococcus pneumoniae germ. Further, a flu shot can be a good preventative method as flu is a common cause of viral pneumonia. In addition, a flu shot can protect against bacterial pneumonia.
Further, precautionary measures can help. Wash your hands regularly to keep germs at bay. Get plenty of rest to keep your body strong. Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. And try to quit smoking, as smokers have a greater risk of developing issues related to the lungs.
In addition, make an effort to steer clear of those who are sick as this is how germs can be transferred. Avoid visiting sick friends until they are better. Instead, call friends who are ill. You can even send a thoughtful card with well wishes and an invitation to have lunch once your friend is feeling better.