By Barbara Pierce
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, a common and potentially serious illness. It is a significant public health challenge, especially for young children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems. But even healthy people can get very sick from an illness like pneumonia.
We’ve asked nurse practitioner Nicole Wannamaker what we should know about this illness. Wannamaker specializes in pulmonology at the Bassett Healthcare Network.
1. How Can You Tell You Have Pneumonia
Nicole Wannamaker: Colds primarily effect the upper respiratory system, like a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat or mild fever. Pneumonia is a lower lung disease, often with deep and severe coughing, thick mucus, chest pain with breathing, shortness of breath and severe fatigue.
Another important sign is if you develop a fever after the cold symptoms resolve or it seems to improve but then quickly worsens again. If your sore throat or runny nose symptoms end, but you continue to cough, have shortness of breath, chest pain, phlegm that’s green, gray or yellow, fever and fatigue, you could have pneumonia.
When you have pneumonia, the air sacs in your lungs become inflamed or even filled with fluid or pus and that interferes with your body’s ability to deliver oxygen to your blood.
Co-Infections are possible. It’s possible, though uncommon, to be infected with two or even three viruses simultaneously, which can worsen symptoms and recovery times.
2. Understanding its Causes
NW: It’s caused by a pathogen-like virus [germ] or a bacteria, fungus or aspiration that invade the alveoli [air sacs] that fills it with fluid or debris and or pus.
The most common cause in children is a viral illness like influenza, RSV or COVID. Some viruses that affect the nose and throat can progress to cause serious lung infections, such as pneumonia.
The most common cause of pneumonia in adults is strep bacteria. Streptococcus is a variety of bacteria responsible for an array of diseases.
Fungi can be a cause also. While cases are uncommon in New York, recent reports suggest it’s becoming more common in some Upstate regions. The fungus live in moist soil and decaying leaves or wood, especially near rivers and wooded areas. Fungal pneumonia is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Bacterial and viral pneumonia are contagious, so you can pick it up from someone who has it. pneumonia.
3. How Serious Is It?
NW: Pneumonia is leading cause of for hospital admissions in the U.S. This is often in the extreme categories of young children younger than 5 and the elderly older than 65. Also, people with weakened immune systems are at elevated risk.
Those who are elderly have four times the incidence of pneumonia than those who are younger. Pneumonia is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.
If left untreated, bacterial pneumonia can spread to your heart, brain or other parts of your body The worst-case scenario? The infection could move out of the lungs and cause sepsis, an intense immune system reaction that can be fatal.
We’re seeing more cases of pneumonia recently, especially in children and related to many factors. Vaccination rates have decreased; the influenza vaccine was less effective this year because the new dominant strain wasn’t noted until after manufacturing and the theory of “Immunity Debt.” This theory suggests that the significant reduction in transmission of childhood illness during the pandemic years had led to lower immune exposures and we are making up for that lost time now.
4. Are There Effective Treatments?
NW: The kind of therapy depends on the cause of the pneumonia. Therapy is very effective, with rapid recovery quickly after initiating the therapy. It often improves within days to weeks; often it takes up to one to three months for full clearance from the lungs.
If the cause is a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Viral infections are primarily treated through supportive care to manage symptoms while the immune system clears the virus. Key treatments include rest, hydration and over-the-counter medication (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for fever and pain.
If the cause is bacterial, the primary treatment is antibiotics.
5: How Can You Protect Yourself Against Pneumonia?
NW: Experts advise that you get your flu shot every year. If you’re older than 65, get the pneumonia shot, which protects against the strep bacteria that causes pneumonia. And of course, wash your hands regularly, get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy diet.
If you start experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, check with your healthcare provider.