Causes of pneumonia in adults

When people discuss types of pneumonia, they also consider how severe the infection is. For example, walking pneumonia is a nonmedical term that’s used to refer to a mild case of pneumonia, where the patient can still be up and walking around. People also distinguish pneumonia cases by where they were picked up: for example, hospital-acquired pneumonia or • Streptococcus pneumoniae: This bacteria causes • Legionella pneumophila: This bacteria grows in man-made water systems including hot tubs, plumbing systems, and cooling towers. It leads to a serious type of pneumonia known as • Mycoplasma pneumoniae: This type of bacteria is common in crowded living spaces like dorms and prisons. It leads to a mild infection often called • Chlamydia pneumoniae: This type of bacteria usually causes mild pneumonia, most often in people more than 40 years old. • Haemophilus influenzae: This type of bacteria is more likely to cause pneumonia in people with existing lung conditions, like Walking Walking pneumonia is a type of bacterial infection also known as mycoplasma pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is mild, and you can usually continue your daily activities when you have it, hence the name walking pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is often spread in crowded living spaces, like dormitories or jails. • Pneumocystis pneumonia: This fungus can cause severe pneumonia. It most commonly affects people with HIV/AIDS, or those who have had an organ transplant. • Coccidioidomycosis: This fungus causes...

When taking antibiotics, take all the prescribed doses to prevent developing a drug-resistant infection. Talk with your healthcare provider if you want to or need to stop taking your medication. Oxygen Therapy Pneumonia can cause inflammation and increased lung mucus, making it hard for oxygen to enter the blood. If your oxygen levels are low, you may be provided Be sure to follow instructions for cleaning and disinfecting humidifiers, which can be a source of bacteria, mold, and fungi that may cause additional respiratory infections. OTC Medications Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help with some mild pneumonia symptoms. Check with your medical provider before using any cough medications. Coughing is an important way for the body to clear out the germs causing pneumonia and the mucus that develops. • Respiratory failure: When your lungs cannot move oxygen in and carbon dioxide out • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): A severe form of respiratory failure • Lung abscess: Pus-filled cavity in the lungs caused by an infection • Sepsis: Potentially life-threatening infection that moves through the bloodstream Summary Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that ranges from mild to severe. Older people may have more significant illnesses and longer-lasting effects than younger people. Treatments for pneumonia are often effective and can include medications, oxygen therapy, fluids, and rest. See your healthcare provider right away if you have pneumonia symptoms. A Wo...

Bacteria The most common type of bacterial pneumonia is called Streptococcus pneumoniaegerm that normally lives in the upper respiratory tract. It infects over 900,000 Americans every year. Bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own or develop after you've had a viral cold or the flu. Bacterial pneumonia often affects just one part, or lobe, of a lung. When this happens, the condition is called lobar pneumonia. Those at greatest risk for bacterial pneumonia include people recovering from surgery, people with respiratory disease or viral infection and people who have weakened immune systems. Some types of bacteria cause what is known as "atypical" pneumonia, including: • Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a tiny wide-spread bacterium that usually infects people younger than 40 years old, especially those living and working in crowded conditions. The illness is often mild enough to go undetected and is sometimes referred to as walking pneumonia. • Chlamydophila pneumoniae, which commonly causes upper respiratory infections year-round, but can also result in a mild form of pneumonia. • Legionella pneumophila, which causes a dangerous form of pneumonia called Legionellais not passed from person to person. Outbreaks of the disease have been linked to exposure to contaminated water from cooling towers, whirlpool spas, and outdoor fountains. These bacteria are referred to as "atypical" because pneumonia caused by these organisms might have slightly different symptoms, appear different on a che...