Pneumonia diagnosis

What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is a serious infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid. • Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections (lobes) of the lungs. • Bronchial pneumonia (also known as bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs. What causes pneumonia? There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are: • Bacterial pneumonia. This type is caused by various bacteria. The most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It usually occurs when the body is weakened in some way, such as by illness, poor nutrition, old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but you are at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, are debilitated, have recently had surgery, have a respiratory disease or viral infection, or have a weakened immune system. • Viral pneumonia. This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu (influenza), and is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia. • Mycoplasma pneumonia. This type has somewhat different symptoms and physical signs and is referred to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It generally causes a mild, widespread pneumonia that affec...

• Blood tests. Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible. • Chest X-ray. This helps your doctor diagnose pneumonia and determine the extent and location of the infection. However, it can't tell your doctor what kind of germ is causing the pneumonia. • Pulse oximetry. This measures the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. • Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection. Your doctor might order additional tests if you're older than age 65, are in the hospital, or have serious symptoms or health conditions. These may include: • CT scan. If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs. • Pleural fluid culture. A fluid sample is taken by putting a needle between your ribs from the pleural area and analyzed to help determine the type of infection. Treatment Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication. Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more. Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your...

It happens when an infection causes the air sacs in your Anyone can get this lung infection. But infants younger than age 2 and people over age 65 are at higher risk. That’s because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it. You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. You can also have it and not know it. Doctors call this Lifestyle habits, like Symptoms of Pneumonia Your symptoms can vary depending on what’s causing your pneumonia, your age, and your overall health. They usually develop over several days. Common pneumonia symptoms include: • Chest pain when you breathe or cough • Cough that produces phlegm or mucus • Fatigue and loss of appetite • Fever, sweating, and chills • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea • Shortness of breath Along with these symptoms, older adults and people with weak immune systems might be confused or have changes in mental awareness, or they might have a lower-than-usual body temperature. Newborns and infants may not show any signs of infection. Or they might vomit, have a fever and a cough, and seem restless or tired. If you have a new cough, fever, or shortness of breath, call your doctor to ask about whether it could be COVID-19. Illness with the new coronavirus can also lead to pneumonia. Causes of Pneumonia Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause pneumonia. Common causes include: • Flu viruses • Cold viruses • RSV virus (the top cause of pneumonia in babies age 1 or younger) • Bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycopl...

Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus). It causes contagious and potentially severe illness, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis, so early diagnosis and treatment is important. Vaccines are the best protection against developing infection. Overview What is pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal (noo-muh-KOK-uhl) disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus). It’s contagious and may cause severe illness, so early diagnosis and treatment is important. Pneumococcal disease can affect many different systems in your body. It may result in conditions with mild symptoms like a Treatment typically involves What is the difference between pneumonia and pneumococcal disease? Pneumococcal disease is the name for any infection caused by pneumococcus. One of the pneumococcal diseases is pneumococcal pneumonia. It’s the most common, severe type of pneumococcal disease. There are other causes of pneumonia besides pneumococcus. Other bacteria and viruses, along with fungi, can also cause pneumonia. So not every case of pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia. What are the types of pneumococcal disease? Scientists have identified about 100 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. They cause two main types of pneumococcal disease: • Noninvasive: This type of infection is more common, less serious, and doesn’t spread to infect major organs or your blood. • Invasiv...

Overview Aspiration pneumonia is caused by breathing in something that results in infection, swollen bronchioles and fluid-filled air spaces that make breathing difficult. What is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia is There’s also a condition called aspiration pneumonitis which is caused by the same type of thing happening but there is only inflammation (swelling) and irritation, not infection. It’s difficult to tell the two conditions apart. Other names for aspiration pneumonia include anaerobic pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia and aspiration of vomitus. What is the difference between pneumonia and pneumonitis? Pneumonitis is a term that refers to inflammation (swelling) of the lungs. Pneumonia is actually a specific type of pneumonitis. In pneumonia, there is the additional factor of infection. The two conditions have similar symptoms and are often difficult to tell apart. How common is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration of food or drink is a relatively common thing. You’ve probably heard someone say that food "went down the wrong pipe,” meaning that food or drink went toward your lungs instead of your stomach. When this happens, you probably coughed until you felt better. When the same sort of thing happens to someone who isn’t able to cough the food or drink out of their lungs, aspiration pneumonia may result. Who is most likely to get aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia is more common among people who: • Have had general • Have trouble coughing or trouble...

Overview Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: • Chest pain when you breathe or cough • Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) • Cough, which may produce phlegm • Fatigue • Fever, sweating and shaking chills • Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems) • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea • Shortness of breath Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating. When to see a doctor See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent co...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Upper airway infections like a cold leave your lower airways more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria, and that’s when The illnesses share many similarities, yet they’re very different. To understand each of them better, let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms and treatment with pulmonologist Bronchitis You know what a cold feels like, right? Well, bronchitis is that kicked up a few notches. Bronchitis occurs when air-carrying tubes in your lungs become inflamed, often after a viral infection such as a cold or the flu, says Dr. Tolle. As these airways (called bronchioles) swell, they begin to fill with icky-and-sticky mucus. In response, you cough… and cough… and cough. That frequent hacking often brings up that yellow-green mucus from your lungs. (That off-putting color is a key sign of infection.) Aside from coughing, other symptoms of bronchitis may include: • A • Body aches (plus a sore chest from all that coughing). • Fatigue. • A mild Types of bronchitis There are two basic types of bronchitis — chronic and acute (short-term), explains Dr. Tolle. Chronic bronchitis lasts for at least three months and recurs in multiple years. It can be brought on by an initial respiratory infection, exposure to tobacco smoke or other irritating things in the air around you. Acute bronchitis often starts with a viral...