Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of

the lung affecting primarily the alveoli.

-Symptoms include: productive or dry cough, chest
pain, fever, and trouble breathing, confusion may be the
most prominent sign. More severe signs and symptoms in
children may include blue-tinged skin, convulsions, vomiting,
extremes of temperature. Severity is variable.
Pneumonia is usually caused by infection
with viruses, bacteria or fungi .
Pneumonia caused by Legionella may occur with abdominal
pain, diarrhea, or confusion. Pneumonia caused
by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with rusty
colored sputum. Pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have
bloody sputum. Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma
pneumoniae may occur in association with swelling of the
lymph nodes in the neck, joint pain, or a middle ear
infection.
Commonly-implicated viruses
include rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza
virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus,
and parainfluenza.

Risk factors include other lung diseases such as cystic

fibrosis, COPD, and asthma, diabetes, heart failure, a
history of smoking, a poor ability to cough such as following
a stroke, or a weak immune system, alcoholism, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic kidney
disease, liver disease, and old age
Pneumonia affects approximately 450 million people
globally (7% of the population) and results in about 4 million
deaths per year.
Diagnosis is often based on the : Chest X-ray, blood tests,
and culture of the sputum may help confirm the diagnosis.

Imaging: X-ray presentations of pneumonia may be

classified as lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia (also
known as lobular pneumonia), and interstitial pneumonia.
Complications such as pleural effusion may also be found
on chest radiographs.

Pneumonia frequently starts as an upper respiratory tract

infection that moves into the lower respiratory tract. It is a
type of pneumonitis (lung inflammation). The normal flora of
the upper airway gives protection by competing with
pathogens for nutrients.

Pneumonia is most commonly classified by where or how it

was acquired: community-acquired, aspiration, healthcare-
associated, hospital-acquired, and ventilator-associated
pneumonia. It may also be classified by the area of lung
affected: lobar pneumonia, bronchial pneumonia and acute
interstitial pneumonia, may additionally be classified based
on signs and symptoms as non-severe, severe, or very
severe.

Prevention: Vaccination prevents against certain bacterial

and viral pneumonias both in children and adults.

Medications: amantadine or rimantadine may help prevent

the condition; Oral antibiotics, rest, simple analgesics, and
fluids usually suffice for complete resolution.
Treatment before culture results with amoxicillin is
recommended as the first line.
 Cephazolin plus macrolide such as azithromycin or a
fluoroquinolones is recommended.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia include third- and fourth-
generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones,
aminoglycosides, and vancomycin.