The germs that cause pneumonia are contagious. This means they can spread from person to person. Both viral and bacterial pneumonia can spread to others through inhalation of airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough. You can also get these types of pneumonia by coming into contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses. You can contract fungal pneumonia from the environment. However, it doesn’t spread from person to person. Anyone can get this lung infection. But infants younger than age 2 and people over age 65 are at higher risk. That’s because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it.
Types of Pneumonia:
The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia. A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia. Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness.
Symptoms of Pneumonia:
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- Cough that produces phlegm or mucus
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Fiver
- Dry eyes
- Hair loss
- Oral ulcers.
Causes of Pneumonia:
Common causes include:
- Flu viruses
- Cold viruses
- RSV virus (the top cause of pneumonia in babies age 1 or younger)
- Bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Pneumonia risk factors:
- infants from birth to 2 years old.
- people ages 65 years and older.
- people who’ve recently had a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu.
- people who’ve been recently or are currently hospitalized, particularly if they were or are on a ventilator.
- people who’ve had a stroke, have problems swallowing, or have a condition that causes immobility.
- people who smoke, use certain types of drugs, or drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
- people who’ve been exposed to lung irritants, such as pollution, fumes, and certain chemicals.
Diagnosis:
Blood tests.
Chest X-ray.
Pulse oximetry.
CT Scan.
Sputum test.
