Pneumonia is an infectious disease of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. A person can contract pneumonia if they have close contact with an infected person through droplets when sneezing and coughing.
To be aware and find out more about pneumonia, such as the symptoms, causes, and how to treat it appropriately, let's look at the following information.
Causes of Pneumonia
In general, a person can get pneumonia if their respiratory system is exposed to certain bacteria, viruses or fungi. This organism will develop if there are enough numbers and occurs when the body's immune system decreases.
Bacteria that can cause pneumonia include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli , and Proteus species.
Apart from that, pneumonia can also be caused by viruses, fungi and parasites. Viruses that can cause pneumonia include COVID-19, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus . Apart from that, parasites such as Aspergillus fumigatus can also be a cause, although they are less common.
Pneumonia Symptoms
Symptoms caused by pneumonia vary depending on the patient's age and medical condition. In adults, common symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Hard to breathe
- Chest pain
- Headache
Management and Treatment of Pneumonia
If you experience these symptoms, here are the steps you can take to treat them:
1. Check with a doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if symptoms or complaints appear that suggest pneumonia. By consulting a doctor, your health condition will be examined thoroughly and the doctor may recommend a number of tests, such as chest X-rays, blood tests, or CT scans if necessary.
2. Rest at home
If the pneumonia you suffer from is mild, then this condition can be treated at home. However, note that sufferers need to meet their fluid needs, get enough rest, and take medication to relieve symptoms. Usually, mild pneumonia will heal by itself within 1 week.
3. Taking medication
The doctor will prescribe medication according to the cause of the infection, and it must be consumed until it is finished to prevent recurrence.
4. Hospitalization
If the pneumonia you suffer from is severe enough, hospitalization is recommended. Treatment includes infusion of antibiotics, fluids, and oxygen if necessary.
Pneumonia can be contagious and become a serious health problem, especially in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Therefore, it is important to minimize the risk of transmission by vaccinating, maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with sick people, not smoking, and staying away from cigarette smoke and always maintaining the body's immune system to protect against the bad effects of pneumonia and keep the respiratory system healthy.
Article written by dr. Andriani Sheila Anastasia, Sp.P (Lung and Respiratory Specialist Doctor at EMC Sentul Hospital).