Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a type of lung infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. The lungs are filled with thousands of tubes, called bronchi, which end in smaller sacs called alveoli. Each one has a fine mesh of capillaries. This is where oxygen is added to the blood and carbon dioxide removed. If a person has pneumonia, the alveoli in one or both lungs fill with pus and fluids (exudate), which hinders the gas exchange. This is sometimes known as ‘consolidation and collapse of the lung’.

Anyone of any age can contract pneumonia, but it tends to be common in children aged four years and under. Pneumonia can strike suddenly or gradually. With appropriate treatment, one can expect to get better in around one week to 10 days.

Symptoms
The symptoms of pneumonia depend on the age of the person, the cause and severity of the infection, and any existing problems with immunity. Some of the symptoms may include:

• Rapid breathing
• Breathing difficulties
• Fever
• General malaise
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Blue colouration of the skin around the mouth (cyanosis), caused by lack of oxygen.

• Bacteria – symptoms include rust or green-coloured phlegm. Anyone of any age can be affected, but susceptible groups include babies, the elderly, alcoholics and people recovering from surgery or coping with other illnesses (such as lung disease).
• Viruses – symptoms are similar to a severe bout of flu. It is thought that around 50 per cent of pneumonia cases are caused by viral infections.
• Mycoplasma (a special kind of bacteria) – symptoms can include white phlegm, nausea and vomiting. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma organisms is generally mild, but recovery takes longer.

• General examination
• Chest x-rays.

• Hospital admission – for babies, young children and the elderly
• Plenty of fluids – taken orally or intravenously
• Antibiotics – to kill the infection, if bacteria are the cause
• Medications – to relieve pain and reduce fever
• Rest – sitting up is better than lying down.

• Young children
• Elderly people
• People with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma or respiratory disorders
• People with reduced immunity
• People who have had an organ transplant
• People who have damaged spleens or have had their spleens surgically removed
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at two years of age and older who live in remote communities.

• Your doctor
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)
• The Australian Lung Foundation Tel. (03) 9570 3893 or 1800 654 301

• Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, caused by bacteria or viruses.
• Anyone of any age can be affected, but children under the age of four years are very susceptible.
• Certain people can be immunised against one of the most common types of bacterial pneumonia.

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