![]() ![]() Usually, your immune system will destroy the bacteria or virus and you'll be fine, but pneumonia infection does sometimes occur in healthy people. If the source of pneumonia is from viral infection, contact with an infected person may transfer the virus, but you may not develop pneumonia as a result. Similarly, it can depend on the type of pneumonia. However, not everybody exposed to pneumonia-causing bacteria will develop pneumonia. This bacteria can also be transferred to you by touching a surface an infected person has come into contact with. The bacteria that cause pneumonia can be breathed in via sneezes or coughs. It is possible to catch pneumonia from an infected person. Aspiration pneumonia usually happens in frail, elderly people, people who are drowsy or unconscious, or people who have conditions which cause swallowing difficulties. The inhaled substance can be very irritating to the lungs, cause infection or block the smaller airways. Small amounts of stomach contents or liquid produced in the mouth or throat can be inhaled into the lungs. Aspiration pneumoniaĪ particular type of pneumonia is known as aspiration pneumonia. This can be referred to as hospital acquired pneumonia. Having an anaesthetic can increase the risk. ![]() Pneumonia can sometimes develop after an large operation like organ transplant, though particularly after operations in the region of your head or neck. However, even healthy people sometimes develop pneumonia. Low immunity can be caused by such things as immunosuppressant medication, untreated HIV, or another serious illness. If you have a low immunity to infection (weakened immune system).This is more likely to happen if you are already in poor health or have certain health conditions- for example: Sometimes the germs multiply and cause lung infections. They will be trapped in your phlegm (sputum) and killed by your immune system. If you are normally healthy, a small number of germs usually doesn't matter. You may breathe in some bacteria, viruses, or other germs. They can be in the form of liquids, gases, small particles, dust or fumes. Many different substances can cause this. Rarely, non-infective pneumonia is caused by inhaling poisons or chemicals. Other germs such as fungi, yeasts, or protozoa can sometimes also cause pneumonia (fungal pneumonia). There is also a well-known group of bacteria that causes pneumonia in about 3 out of 10 cases. There are three or four different bacteria that are the most common causes of different types of pneumonia. The germ is usually a bacterium or a virus (viral pneumonia). ![]() Pneumonia is an infection commonly caused by a germ. You can get both conditions at the same time. It's often more serious than bronchitis, which is inflammation or infection of the large airways - the bronchi (see diagram). Smoking and alcohol consumption may also raise your risk of catching pneumonia. This is sometimes called walking pneumonia.Īnybody can catch pneumonia but is mostly affects people younger than 2 or over the age of 65 due to their weakened immune systems. Pneumonia can affect either one or both lungs and you can even have it without knowing. This means patients have trouble breathing. ![]() This infection leads to the air sacs in your lungs (alveoli) being filled with fluid, which makes it hard for oxygen to reach your blood stream. Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue usually caused by a bacterial infection (such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae), but it can also be caused by viral infections such as COVID-19. Confusing, isn't it? Well, this leaflet is designed to help you tell the difference between pneumonia and a run of the mill chest infection, when to see a doctor, and the treatment you may need. Have you seen posters in your GP's waiting room warning about the unnecessary use of antibiotics for coughs and colds? You may also have seen adverts on the TV about the dangers of pneumonia and how important it is for some people to get vaccinated. ![]()
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