What Are The 4 Stages Of Pneumonia?

What Is Pneumonia?

The four stages of lobar pneumonia are a type of specific pneumonia. Pneumonia causes cough and fever. This can be a serious condition for young children, seniors, and those with other health issues. Pneumonia can affect either or both lungs.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia?

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• Cough can produce greenish or yellow mucus or phlegm
• Fever
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Inhalation or coughing can cause sharp pain.
• Fast heartbeat
• Sweating
• Chills and shaking
• Loss of appetite
• Lacking energy
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and nausea are common in children, particularly small ones.
• Confused, especially older people.

What Causes Pneumonia?

The most common causes of pneumonia are bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The following bacteria are known to cause pneumonia:

• S. S. pneumoniae (most common cause of pneumonia)
• Haemophilus influenza
• Moraxella catarrhalis
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Group A streptococci
• Aerobic gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella spp or Escherichia coli)
• Aspiration and microaerophilic bacteria (associated with anaerobes)

The following bacteria are known to cause pneumonia:

• Legionella spp
• Mycoplasma pneumonia
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Chlamydia psittaci
• Coxiella burnetii

The following respiratory viruses can cause pneumonia:

• Influenza (” Flu”) A & B viruses
• Rhinoviruses
• Parainfluenza viruses
• Adenoviruses
• Respiratory syncytial Virus
• Coronaviruses (e.g., Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, COVID-19)
• Human metapneumovirus
• Human bocaviruses

How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed?

Pneumonia can be diagnosed by a physical examination and history. A doctor will use a stethoscope and listen to the lungs for sounds such as crackling, bubbling, and rumbling.

Testing for pneumonia includes:

• Blood tests
• Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR )
  • COVID-19
  • Influenza
• A sputum sample is taken from a deep cough.
• Tests for S. pneumoniae antigens in the urine
• Chest X-ray
• Pulse Oximetry is used to measure blood oxygen levels
• CT scan (Computerized Tomography) of the chest
• Arterial blood Gas Test, to measure the oxygen content in a sample of blood from an artery
• A small amount of fluid from the tissues surrounding the lungs is taken for pleural fluid culture.
• Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which an end-lit tube is used to examine the airways.

What Is The Treatment For Pneumonia?

The treatment for pneumonia is dependent on the type, severity, age, and other medical conditions of the patient.

The following medications are used to treat pneumonia:

• Antibiotics if the cause of infection is bacterial
• If the cause is viral, antivirals are recommended

Many times, resting and managing symptoms is sufficient. Home care can include:

• Resting a lot
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Warm drinks may help open the airways.
• Fever reducers
  • Do not give children aspirin due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
• Open airways by taking steamy showers or baths or using a humidifier
• Avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritations.
• Speak to your doctor about cough medicine before taking them, as coughing is a natural way to rid the body of an infection.

In severe cases, the patient may be hospitalized and treated with:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Intravenous antibiotics
• Oxygen therapy
• Other breathing treatments

What Are The Complications Of Pneumonia?

People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver cirrhosis, or liver are at greater risk of developing pneumonia complications.

The following complications may occur:

• Respiratory failure
• Sepsis is a serious response to infection, which can be life-threatening.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Lung abscesses are rare but serious.

What Is The Stage Of Pneumonia In A Patient?

The development of a type of lung infection called lobar pneumonitis has four stages, which include:

1. The first stage occurs within 24 hours of the infection. It is characterized by increased blood flow to the lungs and swelling in the airways. However, only a small number of bacteria or white cells are present to fight the infection.
2. The second stage (days 2-3) is marked by the accumulation of bacteria and a build-up of white and red blood cell debris in the airways, air sacs (alveoli), and damaged cellular fragments.
3. The lung will show an accumulation of damaged red blood cells and a rise in fibrin as the debris becomes thinner and more fluid (exudative).
4. The final and fourth stage is called resolution and occurs between days 7-10. This involves the resorption and restoration of normal airways, including air sacs. The residual inflammation can lead to scar tissue and chronic narrowing of the airways (pleural adherents).

How Can You Prevent Pneumonia.

In some cases, patients can reduce their chances of contracting pneumonia.

• Get vaccinated
• Hands should be washed frequently, at least for 20 seconds, with soap and warm water.
  • Annually, get an influenza shot. The flu is a leading cause of pneumonia.
  • Pneumococcal pneumococcal pneumonitis is a common form of bacterial pneumonia.
  • Children: The Hib vaccine prevents Haemophilus type b pneumonia.
  • There are other vaccines to prevent pneumonia, such as pertussis(whooping cough), Chicken Pox, and Measles. You should wash your hands.
• Hands should be washed frequently, at least for 20 seconds, with soap and warm water.
• Don’t smoke
• To stay healthy, you should eat a healthy food and exercise regularly.
• Some children under 24 months old may receive Palivizumab to prevent respiratory syncytial disease (RSV).