$Unique_ID{BRK01020}
$Pretitle{Respiratory System, Infections or Parasites}
$Title{What is Bacterial Pneumonia?}
$Subject{pneumonia bacterial}
$Volume{H-5, A-5}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is Bacterial Pneumonia?


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QUESTION:  My father, who is 86, is in the hospital with what the doctors call
Bacterial Pneumonia.  Could you please explain what this is?

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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 measure used to
treat patients and keep the 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 there 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.
ÿ
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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.
