Pneumonia can occur from a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. These pathogens get into the lungs from inhaling them. Determining the cause of pneumonia is extremely important to determine the course of treatment.
Major Types of Pneumonia:
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1. Bacterial pneumonia can be caught at any age. Bacterial pneumonia can either develop on its own, or subsequent to a severe cold or flu. The immune system get weakened by the cold or flu and then the bacterial pneumonia has an opportunity to take hold.
2. Viral pneumonia is brought on by respiratory viruses. Viral pneumonia is more common in young children and seniors. This is usually not life threatening and can resolve in a short period of time, unless the viral pneumonia is caused by a flu virus, then it can be severe or fatal. Viral pneumonia is especially dangerous to pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions. Bacterial infections can also lead to complications with viral pneumonia.
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3. Fungal pneumonia is caused by opportunistic fungi and may develop upon the inhalation of damaging spores, such as from the soil or from bird droppings. Fungal pneumonia is relatively uncommon in most of the United States, but it is more common in Mexico, South America and Africa.
Examples of some fungi that can cause pneumonia are histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis coccidiomycosis, aspergillosis and blastomycosis.
4. Mycoplasma Pneumonia is a more rare form of pneumonia. Mycoplasma Pneumonia is caused by mycoplasma, which are the smallest free-living disease agents that have ever been identified. Viruses are not free living, since they need a host cell to inhabit. Mycoplasma usually leads to a mild form of this illness, which may become severe in some cases. It affects all age groups, but is most common in older children and young adults.
5. Aspiration Pneumonia - . can occur if someone accidentally inhales food, saliva or vomit into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is most common in people who have problems with their gag reflex, such as those with brain injury or have taken an excessive amount of drugs and/or alcohol.
How Do These Organisms Infiltrate Your Body?
Most of the time, your immune system can effectively fight off harmful organisms. Your immune system is aided by your ability to cough and by the cilia, which are small hair-like structures in your nose and respiratory system, that help to eliminate pathogens from your body.
When these defenses are not working up to par, these pathogens can manage to infiltrate your lungs.
Pneumonia Can Occur When:
1. The immune system is weakened.
2. The pathogens are very strong.
3. You are unable to cough. This can occur if you’re sedated or you’ve had a stroke.
4. You are a smoker. The nicotine from smoking can paralyze the cilia in your reparatory system.
What Happens During Pneumonia:
When you are exposed to pneumonia, your immune system immediately goes into action and sends many types of cells to attack the pathogens. This battle can cause your lungs’ alveoli or air sacs to become red and inflamed and fill up with fluid and even pus. This is what leads to the common symptoms of pneumonia.
High Pneumonia Risk Environments:
1. Your community or environment. Also known as community-acquired pneumonia, this refers to pneumonia cases that come from sources other than hospitals or health care facilities.
2. Hospital-acquired pneumonia. This refers to pneumonia that develops during a hospital stay, and may be more serious, since the bacteria may be more resistant to antibiotics. Patients who use ventilators and other breathing machines are at a high risk of this type.
3. Healthcare acquired pneumonia. People who live in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, outpatient clinics and kidney dialysis centers, are at high risk of healthcare acquired pneumonia.
Avoiding Pneumonia:
The best way to avoid pneumonia is to avoid high risk areas and to keep your immune system strong by eating healthy food, avoiding processed food, sleeping well, exercising on a regular basis, reducing stress and optimizing your vitamin D levels.