Wikipedia:VideoWiki/Pneumonia

Definition
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung, where the small air sacs, known as alveoli, fill with fluid. It is most often caused by an infection from bacteria.



Onset of illness
Symptoms for pneumonia typically include, cough, fatigue, chills, and shortness of breath. Each of the symptoms occurs with different frequencies.



Symptoms
Cough and fatigue are the most common symptoms, and seen in up to 9 out of 10 cases. Fever and shortness of breath, are present in roughly 3 out of 4 people. Productive sputum is present in 65 percent of cases, and chest pain occurs in roughly one-half of people.



Elderly
In the elderly, confusion may be the most prominent sign, and fever is less likely to be present.



Children Early Symptoms
In children under the age of five, fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing are the most common symptoms.



Children Severe Pneumonia
More severe signs and symptoms in children may include, blue-tinged skin, unwillingness to drink, convulsions, ongoing vomiting, extremes of temperature, or a decreased level of consciousness.



Causes
Pneumonia fills the lung's alveoli with fluid, limiting how much oxygen can be absorbed. The alveolus on the left is normal, whereas the one on the right is full of fluid from pneumonia.



Bacterial Pneumonia
Pneumonia is usually caused by infection from bacteria or viruses. It is less commonly caused by other microorganisms, certain medications, and conditions, such as autoimmune diseases.



Risk factors
Risk factors for pneumonia, include smoking, a poor ability to cough, (such as after a stroke or surgery), and other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and asthma.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis, is often based on symptoms and physical examination alone.

Diagnosis - Other Methods
Chest X-ray, blood tests, and culture of the sputum, may help confirm the diagnosis.

Classification
Where (and how) a pneumonia was acquired, can have a profound impact on survival. Examples are community-acquired, or hospital-acquired pneumonia.



Prevention
Because most pneumonias, are acquired from someone else that is infected, handwashing, and wearing surgical masks around the sick, are the most important preventative steps.



Vaccine
Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available.

Other Methods
Other methods of prevention, include smoking cessation, and treating underlying illnesses (such as diabetes and HIV) properly.

Treatment
Antibiotics by mouth, rest, and simple analgesics and fluids, are usually enough to treat uncomplicated pneumonia.

Children
In children, those with respiratory distress, or oxygen saturations of less than 90%, should be hospitalized.

Prognosis
With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia, will stabilize in 3–6 days. It often takes a few weeks before most symptoms resolve. .



Severe pneumonia
If the pneumonia is severe, the affected person is generally hospitalized, and oxygen therapy may be necessary.



Epidemiology
Pneumonia is a common illness, affecting approximately 450 million people a year, and occurring in all parts of the world. It is a major cause of death among all age groups, resulting in 7% of the world's total death yearly.



Death rates, are greatest in children less than five, and adults older than 75 years.

History
In the 19th century, William Osler called pneumonia "the captain of the men of death".

Survival rates
With the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines in the 20th century, survival has improved.

Developing countries
Nevertheless, in developing countries, and among the very old, young, and chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death.