7 Different Types of Pneumonia
There are more than seven main types of pneumonia, including community- acquired pneumonia caused by bacteria and viruses. Other type include walking aspiration, chemical, and hospital- acquired pneumonia. Fungal pneumonia includes more rare types of pneumonia.
Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of your lungs that occurs if the air sacs fill fluid or pus. it causes symptoms like chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. Knowing what of pneumonia you have can help the illness.
1. Bacterial pneumonia
More than 900,000 people in the United states develop bacterial pneumonia years. Bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia. Streptococcus is a type of bacterium that causes bacterial pneumonia. It typically lives in your upper respiratory tract. The bacteria can sometimes travel into your lungs and cause an infection.
Bacterial pneumonia typically causes more severe illness than other types. You may develop these symptoms slowly, or they may suddenly appear.
- Blue lips and nails
- Confusion
- Excessive sweating
- Fever,which may be as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit(40.6 degrees Celsius)
- Rapid breathing or heart rate
Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia. It is essential to take antibiotics as a healthcare provider prescribes. Bacterial pneumonia symptoms improve over a few days, but a cough may linger for weeks.
2.Viral Pneumonia
Viruses that cause viral pneumonia may include:
- Adenovirus
- Human Parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs)
- Influenza viruses
- Measlcs virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19
Early viral pneumonia symptoms resemble the flu, then gradually worsen. Older adults may have mild symptoms, including a low body temperature and confusion or be restless or tired and vomit. People with chronic lung disease can have severe symptoms.
Antibiotics do not treat viral pneumonia, but corticosteroids may help. if you have a mild illness, getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated can help. Advil (ibuprofen ) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can reduce a fever. In severe cases, you may require intravenous (TV) fluid and supplemental oxygen.
3. Walking pneumonia
The term “walking pneumonia” is not an actual medical diagnosis. it describes a case of pneumonia that’s not severe enough to put you in bed.
less common bacteria typically cause walking pneumonia. Mycoplasma often causes infection in people younger than 40 years old. Legionella pneumophila causes illness in older adults. people who smoke and those with a weak immune system. pneumonia caused by this bacteria is known as Legionnaire disease.
- Walking pneumonia usually causes mild symptoms, such as:
- Ear and eye pain
- Lump in the neck area
- Rash
- Sore throat
Legionnaire disease causes sympotoms like bloody mucus and diarrhea. These symptoms typically worsen over four to six days before they improve.
walking pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. fever reducers, fluids and rest. In severe cases, IV antibiotics and supplemental oxygen in a hospital may be required.
4. Fungal Pneumonia
people contract fungal pneumonia if they breathe in certain fungal spores. Type of fungal pneumonia include.
Histoplasmosis: This is caused by the fungal histoplasma, commony found in the Central and Eastern United States. This fungus lives in bat or bird droppings and soil.
Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP): pneumocystis jiroecii is a fungus in the your lungs, [C[ happens if this fungus grows out of control. typically in people with a weak immune system.
Valley fever: This is caused by the fungus Goccidioides. which lives in soil in the southwestern United States.
PCP causes General pneumonia symptoms. Histoplasmosis typically does not cause symptoms. Valley fever may cause flu like symptoms that go away within weeks to months. some people may develop a severe chronic lung infection.
Fungal pneumonia dose not spread from to person Treatment usually involves antifungal meficines.
5. Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia happens when you accidentally inhale food, Liquid, saliva, or vomit into your lungs. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of aspiration pneumonia include’;
- Being hospitalized
- Coma
- General anesthesia
- Heavy alcohol or drug use
- Older age
- Trouble swallowing
antibiotics help treat this type of pneumonia. some people require a ventilator to help them breathe normally. Others may need a feeding tube if they have trouble swallowing.
6. Chemical Pneumonia
People typically acquire chemical pneumonia from breathing in fumes from certain chemicals at home or the workplace. chemicals that cause pneumonia include chlorine gas, noxious fumes from pesticides, and smoke from wildfires.
These chemical can physically irritate your lungs. You may develop chronic pneumonia if you continuously breathe in chemical fumes over long periods.
- chemical pneumonia may cause symptoms like:
- Breathing that sounds abnormal (i.e., gurgling or wet bteathing)
- Burning feeling in your chest
- Feeling like you cannot breathe in enough air
- Trouble swallowing
Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation. A healthcare provider may provide may provide supplemental oxygen until your lungs heal. Some people must eat small meals while sitting upright or require a feeding tube if they have trouble swallowing.
7. Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops during hospital stays, typically in people who are on a ventilator. The tube goes through the trachea (windpipe) so you can maintain oxygen to your heart and brain. It can be a conduit for germs to enter your lungs. A healthcare provider can also spread germs from their clothes, equipment, or hands.
People who use a ventilator are often already sick. Pneumonia is more likely to cause severe symptoms, such as hypotension (low blood pressure) and a rapid heart rate.
if pneumonia is caused by bacteria, treatment may include IV antibiotics. supplemental oxygen and a ventilator help support breathing.
Symptoms
certain type of pneumonia may have unique symptoms. No matter the cause , pneumonia generally causes symptoms like:
- chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
- Confusion
- Cough, with or without blood-tinged, green, or yellow mucus
- Fever, with chills and sweating
- Lack of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
Risk Factors
Anyone can contract a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection and develop pneumonia. Some risk factors increase the likelihood of pneumonia, such as:
- Being younger that 2 years old or older than 65 years old
- Alcohol use disorder
- Chemical, pollutant, and toxic fume exposure
- Lung disease
- Malnourishemt
- Recent viral infections, such as a cold or the flu
- Smoking
- Staying in a hospital, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) and being sedated or no a ventilator
- Trouble coughing or swallowing
- Weak immune system
When To Seek Care
It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you develop pneumonia symptoms, especially if you are part of a high-risk population. A healthcare provider can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend treatments.
Get medical attention right away if you have symptoms like:
- A fever that goes away and then comes back
- Blue fingers or skin
- Breathing that gets too fast and shallow
- Confusion
- Coughing up blood or dark colored mucus
- Frequent headaches
- Needing to lean forward to breathe easily
- Tiredness
-
A Quick Review
Various bacteria, fungi, or viruses may cause pneumonia. Diagnosing the type of pneumonia you have helps treat it. A healthcare provider can guide you through treatment, whether you need rest, antibiotics, or supplemental oxygen.
Vaccines can prevent certain types of pneumonia. Consult a healthcare provider about what vaccines can help reduce your risk of viral infection that may lead to pneumonia, like COVID and the flu. Proper hygiene, as well as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and not smoking, can also prevent infection.