Wide variety of viruses cause neumonia, including some of the P me ones responsible for influenza Ld other respiratory infections. Many types of bacteria also cause

EUmonia; most cases of bacterial pneumonia result from the bacteria pneumococci, also know as Strep­tococcus pneumoniae.

In the lungs, microbes that cause pneumonia lodge in the air sacs, where the blood normally ex­changes carbon dioxide for oxygen. There they multiply rapidly, and

Air sacs soon fill with fluid and white blood cells produced by the body to fight infection. What are the symptoms of pneu­monia?

In bacterial pneumonia, the patient develops the symptoms of a cold followed by a sudden shivering at­tack, sputum that is often bloody, and a high fever (104°F; 40°C) with rapid respiration and pulse rate. The patient feels pain on one side of the chest. Vomiting and diarrhea may occur; confusion is common.

In other forms of pneumonia, es­pecially among elderly patients, the symptoms develop slowly, with clear evidence of bronchitis and a worsening cough, often with bloodstained sputum. Headache, muscle aches, and cyanosis (blue- tinged lips because of poorly oxy­genated blood) are common. Prog­ress depends on the individual's resistance to the type of infection. In elderly or weak patients, death is possible. Children or babies show few symptoms suggesting a chest infection. But the child is ob­viously ill and may collapse.

Q: How is pneumonia diagnosed and treated?

A: Diagnosis follows a physician's ex­amination and, usually, a chest X ray. 'A specimen of the sputum is examined and cultured to iden­tify the infective organism. Some­times, a white blood cell count may help to determine whether the infection is caused by bacteria or Antibiotics are used in the treat­ment of bacterial and fungal infec­tions.

Breathing exercises and percus­sion to shake the chest wall erf- courage the patient to cough up sputum. If the sputum is thick and sticky, steam inhalations may also help. A seriously ill patient may need oxygen therapy. Painkilling drugs are prescribed if the patient has pleurisy. See also pleurisy.

Most patients suffering from mild forms of pneumonia can be treated at home with rest, antibiot­ics, and breathing exercises. Pneumonia, bronchial. See broncho­pneumonia.

Pneumonitis (mi ma ni'tas) is any one of a number of acute inflammations of the lungs, such as pneumonia and pneumoconiosis.

See pneumoconiosis; pneumonia. Pneumothorax (nu mo thdr'aks) is the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, the space between the lungs and the chest wall. The condition prevents the normal expansion of the lungs, thereby impairing breathing. It may re­sult in a collapsed lung. See aiso lung, collapsed.

Q: What causes a pneumothorax? A: The most common cause of a pneumothorax is a penetrating in­jury of the chest wall. This is known as a traumatic pneumo­thorax. Rarely, injury may cause a life-threatening form of traumatic pneumothorax in which a flap of tissue acts as a valve that allows air to be drawn into the chest, but not to be blown out again. The pressure within the chest rises rap­idly and causes both lungs to col­lapse. This condition is known as a tension pneumothorax.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14