Pneumonia

=**Pneumonia** = **Inflammation of the lung due to infection from bacteria, viruses or other organisms.** by //Tiana Leuven and Brooklyn Adams//

** Organism causing this disease: **  Gram-positive bacteria is the most common organism that causes pneumonia. As well as Gram-negative Bacteria. To find out the severity or the type of bacteria a procedure called gram staining is done. Some examples of Gram-positive bacteria are pneumococus and //Staphylococcus (S.) aureus.// Example of Gram negative Bacteria include //Haemophilus (H.) influenzae// and //Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae.// 

** What kind of organism is this? ** Most types of pneumonia is caused by the different types of bacteria as mentioned above. But pneumonia can also be caused by viruses or certain types of fungi.

** Symptoms: ** Symptoms of pneumonia include: sudden chills followed by a fever, chest pain on the affected lung, dry cough producing flem, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Symptoms that require **emergency** attention include: blood in sputum, bluish-toned skin, high fever, heavy breathing, mental confusion, rapid heart rate, or weight loss.



**Treatment: ** To treat pneumonia you first need to decide whether or not the infected person needs to be hospitalized or is able to be treated at home. Also figuring out whether or not antibiotics are needed. If an infected person chooses home treatment than they are reccomended to drink plenty of liquids, not suppressing the cough, and practicing chest therapy. At a hospital, a person with pneumonia a patient stays and is monitered for about 3 days until they are stable.

**Transmission: ** Pnemonia can be easily transmitted by air or by touching contaminated surfaces. This disease enters usually though a person's mouth, nose, or eyes and will attack their immune system. A person with a weaker immune system or has already been infected with a common cold or flu will have a more difficult time fighting off pneumonia. Since pneumonia is very contagious it is very easily contracted and spread.

Pneumonia can be prevented best by avoiding sick people and by practicing good hygiene. Simple things like washing your hands can be an effective way of protecting yourself. Vaccines are also available to prevent contracting pneumonia (flu shot).
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