Pneumonia Treatment Specialist in Alexandria and Ruther Glen, VA

Pneumonia is a contagion in the lungs that exacerbates the air sacs. It can affect both lungs or just one lung. The air sacs can become filled with pus or fluid, causing a cough that produces phlegm or pus. Pneumonia is caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Pneumonia can be mild or it can be life-threatening. It is particularly dangerous for infants, young children, people who are older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems or other health problems.

The symptoms of pneumonia can run from mild to severe. This will depend on factors that include the type of germ that is the cause of the infection, your age, and general health. Mild symptoms or often like those that you get with a cold or flu, but last longer.

Symptoms of pneumonia can include:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or a change in mental awareness
• Extreme fatigue
• Cough that may produce phlegm
• Chills or sweating with a fever
• A body temperature that is lower than normal, especially in older adults and people with weak immune systems
• Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
• Shortness of breath

Newborns and infants may not exhibit signs of infection. They may vomit, have a cough and fever, have low energy, have difficulty breathing, and eat.

Many germs cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is most often caused by viruses and bacteria that are in the air we breathe. These viruses and bacteria are usually repelled by the immune system. When they are not repelled then the infection can grow into pneumonia.

The most common is community-acquired pneumonia. This means that it is acquired in a place outside of a health care facility or hospital.

Pneumonia can be caused by:

• Bacteria is the most common cause of pneumonia. Bacteria can be the sole cause of pneumonia, or it can be a contributing factor to a cold or flu.
• Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacteria-like organism that can cause pneumonia. It is very mild symptoms. Fungi can cause pneumonia and generally only affects people with weakened immune systems or chronic health issues. The fungi that cause this are found in the soil or bird droppings.
• Viruses that cause colds or flu can cause pneumonia, as can COVID-19. Viruses are the most frequent cause of pneumonia, especially in children under five. Viral pneumonia is normally mild, with the exception of pneumonia related to COVID-19.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia will be acquired in a hospital when being treated for another illness. The bacteria that causes this form of pneumonia can be resistant to antibiotics. People who are on ventilators or in intensive care units are at greater risk of acquiring this form of pneumonia.

Health care-acquired pneumonia comes from a bacterial infection in people who live in long-term care facilities, or other healthcare facilities that they may spend a great deal of time in. This form of pneumonia can also be caused by antibiotic-resistant forms of bacteria.

Aspirational pneumonia happens when you aspirate something into your lungs, such as food, drink, saliva, or vomit. This is more likely to happen when someone has a swelling problem, or from excessive alcohol or drug use.

There can be complications with pneumonia, especially in people who are in high-risk groups.

Complications can include:

• Bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the infection and spread to the organs, causing organ failure.
• In severe cases of pneumonia, or in cases with underlying conditions, can cause a problem getting enough oxygen into the system, which may require hospitalization.
• Fluid can accumulate around the lungs and need to be drained.
• An abscess can happen if pus forms in the lung. This is normally treated with antibiotics, but in severe cases may require surgery.

Pneumonia is classified by the types of germs that cause it and where the infection was acquired. For more information, call us today or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Alexandria VA, and Ruther glen VA. We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Balty VA, and Doswell VA.