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What You Need to KnowAbout Pneumonia

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PageTABLE OF CONTENTS

How the Lungs Work 2

Respiratory System 3

What is Pneumonia? 4 – 6

Diagnosis and Treatment 7

Medicine Information 8 – 11

Your Recovery from Pneumonia 12

Reducing Your Risk 13

Immunizations 14

Choose a Healthy Diet 15

Follow-Up Care 16

Patient’s Checklist 17

Notes 18

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How the Lungs Work

Your lungs are part of a group of organs and tissues, called the respiratory system, that all work together to help you breathe.

Oxygen, a gas, is needed by every cell in your body to live.

The air that comes into the body through the lungs contains oxygen. In the lungs, the oxygen is moved into the bloodstream and carried through the body. At each cell in the body, the oxygen cells are replaced with carbon dioxide. The bloodstream then carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs where it is removed from the body as you breathe out.

This vital process happens automatically by the lungs.

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Respiratory System

Air enters through the nose or mouth.

Then, air passes through the throat downward to the trachea (windpipe).

The trachea is the passage leading from the throat to the lungs.

The trachea divides into the two main bronchial tubes, one for each lung, which subdivide into each lobe of the lungs. These divide further into the smallest subdivisions of the bronchial tubes called bronchioles, at the end is the air sac or alveoli.

The alveoli are the very small air sacs that are the destination of air breathed in. Oxygen is exchanged from the lungs to the blood and carbon dioxide is exchanged from the blood to the lungs.

Nose

Throat

MouthTrachea(windpipe)

Bronchial Tubes

Upper Lobe

BronchiolesLower Lobe

Gas Exchangewithin Alveoli

Capillary

Alveoli

Middle Lobe

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What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia (Noo-MO-NEE-yah) – is an infection of the lungs caused by a bacteria (bak-teer-ee-uh) or a virus that can cause mild to severe illness. Pneumonia can range from mild irritation of the lungs to a more severe infection which may require treatment in the hospital.

Pneumonia makes it hard to breathe because the lungs have to work harder to get enough oxygen into the blood stream. The mucous in the alveoli prevents oxygen from entering the blood.

Normal (unaffected) alveoli Alveoli with Pneumonia

Alveolus

Mucous gland

Oxygenation through capillary

Mucous

Decreasedoxygenation through capillary

Alveolus filled with mucous

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Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia vary. In some cases pneumonia produces mild symp-toms and can be mistaken for a severe cold.

Common symptoms for each type of pneumonia are listed below.

BACTERIALPNEUMONIA

VIRALPNEUMONIA

ATYPICAL /WALKINGPNEUMONIA

Fever Fever Fever, often low grade

Shaking chills Chills Chills

Cough that produces green, yellow, or rust-

colored mucusDry cough

Coughing; may be violent at times;

produces white mucus

Chest pain Headache Possible nausea or vomiting

Excess sweating Weakness Weakness

Rapid breathing and shortness of breath

Rapid breathing and shortness of breath

Confused mental state Muscle pain

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Causes of PneumoniaBacteria or viruses living in your nose, mouth or in the environment can spread to your lungs and develop in to pneumonia. You can also come in contact with the bacteria or virus from other people.

You can also come in contact with the bacteria or virus from other people who are infected with them whether they are sick or not.

Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacteria. The most common is streptococcus (strep-tuh-kok-uh-s) pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia is caused by a virus.

Another type of bacterial pneumonia is called “Atypical bacterial” and is often referred to as “walking pneumonia”, which is a less severe form of pneumonia.

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Diagnosis and TreatmentYour healthcare provider can tell you if you have pneumonia after asking about your symptoms, taking a medical history, and listening to your chest.

If you have pneumonia your lungs will have a bubbling, crackling or rumbling sound when you are breathing.

Your healthcare provider may also take an x-ray to confirm you have pneumonia and measure the level of oxygen in your blood to be sure the levels are not too low.

The mucous coughed up from your lungs may be examined. This will help to determine what caused your pneumonia and which treatment is right for you.

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Medicine InformationThere are different medicines your healthcare provider may ask you to take to treat your pneumonia.

COMMON MEDICINES HOW IT WORKS

Antibiotics / Antivirals Works to eliminate the harmful bacteria or virus in your body

Steroids Decreases the inflammation in the lungs making it easier to breath

Inhalers/Nebulizer Treatment Reduces inflammation and bronchospasm (wheezing) in the lungs

Expectorants Thins the mucus making it easier to cough up

Oxygen Increases oxygen level making it easier to breathe and feel better

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How to Take Your MedicinesIt is very important to know what medicines you are taking and why you are taking them.

Take the medicines exactly as your healthcare provider has ordered.

Be sure you know:

• The name and dose of your medicines

• When and how to take them

• How long you will need to take them

• Possible side effects of your medicines

• Interactions with food or other medicines you may be taking

Even though you may begin to feel better, you must take all of your medicines to prevent your symptoms from returning or worsening.

DO NOT stop taking your medicine to treat your pneumonia even if you feel better without talking to your healthcare provider.

If you think you are having side effects from your medicines, call and talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist immediately.

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Important Tips for Taking Your Medicines

If you are having trouble paying for your medicine, talk with your healthcare provider.

Whenever possible, have all of your medicines filled from the same pharmacy. It is helpful to have one pharmacist review all of your medicines to avoid drug interactions that could be harmful to you.

Keep a list of your medicines with instructions for how many pills to take and when to take them.

Some people like to use a pill box to put their pills in for each day of the week. Fill the box on Sunday, and then you will know each day if you have taken all of your medicine.

If you or your family has any questions about your medicines contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

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Take All Your Medicine

Suggestions on how to remember when and how to take your medicines:

It is important to plan ahead for trips and vacations.

Make sure you have the medicine you will need when you are away from home.

Bring the medicine bottle and your medicine list to identify the medicines.

When traveling by plane, do not pack your medicine in your checked bags. Put them in your carry-on bag.

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How to Recover from Pneumonia

Medicines – take the entire prescription of your medicine. Your body needs all of the medicine to recover fully.

Fluids – drink plenty of fluids to help loosen mucus and clear it from your lungs.

Activity – incorporate light activity during your recovery period with plenty of rest while your body is healing.

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Reducing Your Risk

Washing your hands often with warm water and

soap for 15-20 seconds.

If you have other medical conditions it is important stay as well as you can so you don’t become sick with pneumonia.

Do not smoke and limit your time around second hand smoke.

Clean hard surfaces that are touched often for example your

counter tops, door knobs, etc.

Cough or sneeze in to a tissue or your elbow or sleeve.

Pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines. Good hygiene can help prevent respiratory infections

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Immunizations

Get your pneumonia and flu vaccines

Getting vaccinations is an important step you can take to help prevent the spread of pneumonia.

It is recommended for you to get a flu vaccine every year.

It is recommended you receive the pneumococcal vaccine if you are:• 65 years of age or older• OR have an underlying medical condition that

increases your risk for pneumonia

Call your healthcare provider if you have any questions about when you should receive these vaccines.

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Choose a Healthy Diet

CHOOSE MORE:

Fresh or frozen fruit

Low fat or fat free milk

Choosing a healthy diet by eating a variety of foods from all the food groups is a great way to stay healthy.

Fresh or frozen vegetables

Whole grains

Lean cuts of meat and fish

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Follow Up Care

Make sure you have a follow up appointment with your healthcare provider.

Be sure to bring your current medicine list, including any over-the-counter pills, herbal medicines or dietary supplements you are taking with you to your appointment.

Remember to take all of your medicines. Do not stop taking your medicine even though you may begin to feel better.

Write down any questions you may have for your healthcare provider. Take them with you to your appointment.

Call your healthcare provider if you:

• have a fever over 100.4 that does not go away after being on antibiotics for 3 days.

• have a cough that lasts more than 14 days.

• are unable to take your medicines because of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

• are more tired than usual.

• are short of breath at rest, more short of breath than usual and/or have chest pains.

• have a new or worsening rash.

• have been to the emergency room or have been hospitalized.

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Patient Checklist

I have a clear explanation of my diagnosis of pneumonia.

I know when to call my healthcare provider.

I have reviewed my medications and know when and how to take them.

I understand I need to take all of the medicine to treat my pneumonia even though I may begin to feel better.

I know where I can get my medicines.

I will get my medicine I need for pneumonia.

I know what I can do to stay healthy.

I understand the importance of getting a pneumonia and a flu shot.

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Note Page

Important questions to ask your healthcare provider.

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Referenceshttp://www.cdc.gov/. (n.d.). Retrieved January 6, 2012, from Pneumonia Can Be

Prevented - Vaccines Can Help : http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pneumonia/

http://www.lung.org/. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2011, from How the Lungs Work: http://www.lung.org/your-lungs/how-lungs-work/

http://www/lung.org. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2011, from Pneumonia: http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/pneumonia/

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2011, from What are the Lungs: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hlw/

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2011, from What is Pneumonia: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu/

Mandell, L. A., Wunderink, R. G., Anzueto, A., Bartlett, J. G., Campbell, G. D., Dean, N. C., et al. (2007). Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults. Clincial Infectious Diseases, vol 44: 27-31.

More Information

If you would like more information about staying healthy, use these sites for reliable information:Sentara Healthcare http://www.sentara.com/

American Lung Associationhttp://www.lungusa.org

National Institutes of Healthhttp://www.nhlbi.nih.gov