$Unique_ID{BRK01020} $Pretitle{} $Title{What is Bacterial Pneumonia?} $Subject{pneumonia bacterial bacteria bacterium Respiratory pulmonary System Infections pneumonitis infection lung lungs lobar bronchopneumonia pneumococcus streptococcus staphylococcus legionella klebsiella hemophilus influenza flu shaking pleurisy analgesics bronchial analgesic} $Volume{A-5} $Log{ Anatomy of the Bronchial Tree*0005902.scf Pneumonia Infected Lung*0015401.scf Lobar and Viral Pneumonia*0015402.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. What is Bacterial Pneumonia? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My father, who is 86, is in the hospital with what the doctors call Bacterial Pneumonia. Could you please explain what this is? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Let us first define the term "pneumonia". Sometimes called pneumonitis, it is an acute infection of lung tissue. When it is confined to but one lobe of the lung it may be known as lobar pneumonia, and when it affects the bronchial tubes, is called bronchopneumonia. The term bacterial pneumonia tells us that the infection is caused by bacteria, rather than viruses or fungi. "Bacterial" is the most common kind of pneumonia, and can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria, including pneumococcus, streptococcus, staphylococcus, legionella, klebsiella, and hemophilus influenza. It is a most serious condition. About 2 million Americans get pneumonia each year, with from 40,000 to 70,000 deaths reported. It ranks sixth among all categories of disease as a cause of death. Despite many tests available to physicians, it is sometimes quite difficult to determine just what germ (bacteria) is causing the illness, and no culprit can be discovered in up to half the cases. Pneumonia frequently follows and upper respiratory infection, and may start with shaking chills and a high fever. Patients find it difficult to breathe, sometimes experience pain when pleurisy develops, develop coughs and may also experience nausea and vomiting. Both chest x-rays and blood tests help make the diagnosis. Hospitalization is generally necessary to properly treat the condition, especially in older folks who lack the resistance and strength to fight off the infection. Fortunately there are a large number of powerful antibiotics which are effective in combatting the infection, and are chosen for their particular ability to kill the germ which has been identified as the cause of the pneumonia. Other measures used to treat patients and keep them comfortable are bed rest, fluids (including by the intravenous route), analgesics for pain, cough medications and oxygen for patients who may not be able to obtain enough for their systems because of the pneumonia. It may take a while to a while to subdue the infection and an even longer period for recovery, but a total cure is possible in most cases. Hopefully, your father will be one of these. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.