Dec 7, 2007 1:32 pm US/Central
Pneumonia Fact Sheet: What It Is & How To Avoid It
(CBS 11 / TXA 21)
Local doctors are reporting an increase in the number of pneumonia cases they're seeing. Pneumonia is a serious and potentially fatal condition. More than 60,000 Americans die from it each year. The American Lung Association says pneumonia is currently the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States.
What is pneumonia?Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs. The air sacs in the lungs of a person with pneumonia fill with pus or other liquid, which makes it difficult for the lungs to work properly. Its severity can range from mild (often called "walking pneumonia") to life-threatening. Pneumonia can be hard to spot because its symptoms often look like those of the flu or a cold.
What causes pneumonia?There are more than 30 possible causes of pneumonia. However, it's usually caused by one of five primary things:
Bacteria
Viruses (responsible for about half of all pneumonia cases)
Mycoplasma (often leads to walking pneumonia)
Fungi (uncommon)
Pneumocystis carinii (pneumonia caused by p. carinii affects people living with AIDS)
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?Symptoms of pneumonia can vary widely. One common symptom is chest pain. Other symptoms can vary depending on the kind of pneumonia, but can include:
Chills
High fever
Sweating
Shortness of breath
Cough that produces thick mucus
Dry cough
How can I keep from getting pneumonia?You don't usually "catch" pneumonia like you do some diseases. Instead, people develop the disease because they have a weakened immune system. So staying generally healthy is the best defense. There are some specific things you can do, though:
Get vaccinated. Pneumonia can be a complication of the flu, so an annual flu shot can be a good defense. Also, doctors say it's a good idea to get a vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once after you turn 55. For kids less than 2, the Mayo Clinic recommends a vaccine called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations.
Wash your hands. Mom was right: washing your hands is often the best defense against a whole host of infections and diseases. If you don't have access to soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be an effective substitute.
Don't smoke. Smoking harms your lungs' natural protections against infection.
I've heard of "double pneumonia." What's that?When both lungs are suffering from pneumonia, it's called double pneumonia.
This story was prepared with information from the Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health and the American Lung Association.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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