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Pneumonia fills the lung's alveoli with fluid, hindering oxygenation. The alveolus on the left is normal, whereas the one on the right is full of fluid from pneumonia. Pneumonia frequently starts as an upper respiratory tract infection that moves into the lower respiratory tract. [55] It is a type of pneumonitis (lung inflammation). [56]
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in one or both lungs. The pulmonary alveoli fill with fluid or pus making it difficult to breathe. [1] Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. [1] Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children, while in adults bacteria are a more common cause. [2]
Most people can be treated for pneumonia at home, but some require hospitalization depending on the severity or their underlying health. Less than 1% of children end up in the hospital, says Lockwood.
Diseases such as emphysema and habits such as smoking result in more frequent and more severe bouts of pneumonia. In children, recurrent pneumonia may indicate cystic fibrosis or pulmonary sequestration. Immune problems - Immune-deficient patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS, are more likely to develop pneumonia.
Pneumococcal infection is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. [1]S. pneumoniae is a common member of the bacterial flora colonizing the nose and throat of 5–10% of healthy adults and 20–40% of healthy children. [2]
It is the most common bacterial pneumonia found in adults, the most common type of community-acquired pneumonia, and one of the common types of pneumococcal infection. The estimated number of Americans with pneumococcal pneumonia is 900,000 annually, with almost 400,000 cases hospitalized and fatalities accounting for 5-7% of these cases. [2]
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of community acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children and the elderly, [5] and of sepsis in those infected with HIV. The organism also causes many types of pneumococcal infections other than pneumonia.
In the United States, a heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV 7) (Prevnar) was recommended for all children aged 2–23 months and for at-risk children aged 24–59 months in 2000. The normal four-dose series is given at 2, 4, 6, and 12–14 months of age.