What is Pneumonia and What are the Main Causes of Pneumonia?

Pneumonia-introduction

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs most often caused by infection with bacteria or a virus. Pneumonia can make it hard to breathe because the lungs have to work harder to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream.

People with pneumonia usually complain of coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Your body’s immune system usually keeps bacteria from infecting your lungs. In bacterial pneumonia, bacteria reproduce in your lungs, while your body tries to fight off the infection. This response to bacterial invaders is called inflammation.

When the inflammation occurs in the alveoli (microscopic air sacs in the lungs), they fill with fluid. Your lungs become less elastic and cannot take oxygen into the blood or remove carbon dioxide from the blood as efficiently as usual.When the alveoli don’t work efficiently, your lungs have to work harder to satisfy your body’s need for oxygen. This causes the feeling of being short of breath, which is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia. Inflammation causes many of the other symptoms, including fever and chest pain.

What are the main types of pneumonia?

Pneumonia is often divided into two main categories (’community-acquired pneumonia’ and ‘hospital-acquired pneumonia’) depending on whether you were infected while living at home (in the community) or while staying in hospital.

What are the main causes of pneumonia?

There are about 30 different causes of pneumonia. However, they all fall into one of these categories:

Infective pneumonia: Inflammation and infection of the lungs and bronchial tubes that occurs when a bacteria (bacterial pneumonia) or virus (viral pneumonia) gets into the lungs and starts to reproduce.

Aspiration pneumonia: An inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes caused by inhaling vomit, mucous, or other bodily fluids. Aspiration pneumonia can also be caused by inhaling certain chemicals.

White blood cells (leukocytes), a key part of your immune system, begin to attack the invading organisms. The accumulating pathogens, white cells and immune proteins cause the air sacs to become inflamed and filled with fluid, leading to the difficult breathing that characterizes many types of pneumonia. If both lungs are involved, it’s called double pneumonia.

Viruses, bacteria, or (in rare cases) parasites or other organisms cause pneumonia.

In most cases, the specific organism (such as bacteria or virus) cannot be identified even with testing. When an organism is identified, it is usually the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Other bacteria that may cause pneumonia include Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila (the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease), Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumonia is sometimes mild and called walking pneumonia.

Some other reasons of causing pneumonia:

Viral infection

Bacterial infection:

Streptococcus pneumonia

Staphylococcus aureus

Chlamydia pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Pneumocystis carinii

Toxoplasma gondii

Fungal infection

Lung cancer- can cause recurrent pneumonia

AIDS- can lead to recurring lung infections

Plague

bronchiectasis

hemophilus influenza

mycoplasma pneumonia

staphyloccus aureus

streptococcus pneumonia

pneumocystis carinii

acid fast bacillus

candidiasis

About the Author

Ask Questions Share Answers Discussion Forum. Also read about Health Questions Answers Discussion Forum and Girls Forum, Girls Discussion Forum

sac de main 101

Eagle Creek Pack-It Shoe Sac – Black $16 Eagle Creek Pack-It Shoe Sac – Black

JPK Paris Love Sac Weekender – Tote $68 JPK Paris Love Sac Weekender – Katmandu Orange

JPK Paris Love Sac Daily – Tote $52.8 JPK Paris Love Sac Daily – Katmandu Orange

JPK Paris Weekender Love Sac – Tote $68 JPK Paris Weekender Love Sac – Spark Twill – Black

JPK Paris Overnighter Love Sac – Tote $68 JPK Paris Overnighter Love Sac – Spark Twill – Eggplant

JPK Paris City Love Sac – Tote $51.99 JPK Paris City Love Sac – Spark Twill – Celery

JPK Paris Love Sac Overnight Nylon Twill – Tote $63.2 JPK Paris Love Sac Overnight Nylon Twill – Dark Brown

JPK Paris Love Sac City Desert Storm – Tote $51.99 JPK Paris Love Sac City Desert Storm – Sand

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Plum $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Grass $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Chocolate $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Sunset $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Rose $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Crimson $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Midnight $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Ocean $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Snuz Sac U Blanket & Pillow – Fog $23.99 Lug Life-Amazing new addition to the line with a U-shaped blanket and pillow set is the perfect sibling to the Nap Sac.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Crimson $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Midnight $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Grass $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Fog $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Chocolate $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Ocean $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Rose $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Lug Life Nap Sac Blanket & Pillow – Sunset $23.99 Lug Life-Everyone wants to be comfy when they travel. Pack this fleece pillow and blanket set in your carry-on for car, plane, and train travel. The pillow blows up and the blanket has a convenient pocket for glasses or an MP3 player. The amazing Lug Nap Sac has quickly become a top seller and it loved by families everywhere. Machine washable.

Helen Kaminski Vila – Shoulder Bag $225 Helen Kaminski-Shoulder Sac

Helen Kaminski Adriana – Shoulder Bag $555 Helen Kaminski-Slim Sac

Helen Kaminski Sarah – Cross Body $625 Helen Kaminski-Cross Body Sac

Helen Kaminski Elicia – Cross Body $550 Helen Kaminski-Cross Body Sac

Helen Kaminski Lubina – Cross Body $625 Helen Kaminski-Cross Body Sac

LeSportsac Beach Ruck Sac – Shoulder Bag $54.99 LeSportsac-Perfect bag to carry all of your beach essentials!

Helen Kaminski Annag – Shoulder Bag $650 Helen Kaminski-Flat Construction “Sac” Bag

Helen Kaminski Garcia – Shoulder Bag $225 Helen Kaminski-Two Tone Small Sac

Lug Life Go Canada Nap Sac Travel Blanket + Pillow Set $15.99 Lug Life-Catching Z’s is a breeze with our brilliant, best selling plush pillow and blanket set!

Lug Life Go Canada Snuz Sac U Travel Blanket + Pillow $15.99 Lug Life-Catching Z’s is a breeze with our brilliant, best selling plush pillow and blanket set!

LeSportsac Color Blocked Beach Ruck Sac – Shoulder Bag $49.99 LeSportsac-Perfect bag to carry all of your beach essentials!

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Tan $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Tan

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Butter $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Butter

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Kiwi $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Kiwi

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Tangerine $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Tangerine

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Olive $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Olive

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Indigo $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Indigo

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Cinnamon $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Cinnamon

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Java $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Java

Geoffrey Beene Luggage 2 Piece Main Street Luggage Set $63.99 Geoffrey Beene Luggage-The Geoffrey Beene Main Street 2 Pc Collection is lightweight and durable. It contains a vertical carry on and matching shoulder tote.

J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Berry Red $159.2 J. P. Ourse & Cie. Main Street Top Zip Tote – Berry Red

Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag – Black $94.99 The Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag  is one of most popular bags and is part of the Ed Hardy  Strapwork Collection . It features Discreet magnetic closure on main-compartment Screen print script logo on shell one interior main

Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag – Tan $69.99 The Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag  is one of most popular bags and is part of the Ed Hardy  Strapwork Collection . It features Discreet magnetic closure on main-compartment Screen print script logo on shell one interior main compartment with zippered bac

Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag – Navy $69.99 The Ed Hardy Judy Messenger Bag  is one of most popular bags and is part of the Ed Hardy  Strapwork Collection . It features Discreet magnetic closure on main-compartment Screen print script logo on shell one interior main

Coach Pink Leather Envelope Wallet 42541BCOFX $223.5 Pink leather with fuchsia trim and gold-tone hardware. 3 exterior zipper pockets. Main compartment has a snap closure. Interior lined with pink nylon and pink leather. Main compartment has 3 main sections, 1 with zipper closure. 10 card slots, 1 slip pock

Eagle Creek Frequent Flier Pack-It System – Pacific $40.4 Eagle Creek-Packing solutions included in this set are a packing folder, packing cube and packing sac. Try out these three cornerstones of our packing system… and later wonder how you ever lived without them! Become an expert in packing organizers.

Eagle Creek Frequent Flier Pack-It System – Black $40.4 Eagle Creek-Packing solutions included in this set are a packing folder, packing cube and packing sac. Try out these three cornerstones of our packing system… and later wonder how you ever lived without them! Become an expert in packing organizers.

Jessica Simpson Floral Garden Hobo Bag – Snake Camel $64.99 Going for a look that’s both feminine and very now? Jessica Simpson’s Floral Garden Hobo is the perfect accessory.  It combines snake design with hardware-accented gathers and attitude-filled buckled-and-woven strap.  Also includes main compartment with

Fendi 8BN168 Zucchino Shopping Bag – Zucca $450 The Fendi 8BN168 Zucchino Shopping Bag is a stunning stylish fashionable handbag. The 8BN168 features Zucca fabric with brown leather trim and brass hardware. The main compartment contains a lot of space and it includes zippered pocket to

Fendi 7VA163 Zucca Backpack- Zucca $425 Superior craftsmanship and exquisite detailing make traveling a bit more luxurious with this Fendi 7VA163 Zucchino Backpack. The Backpack features Zucca fabric with tan leather trim and brass hardware. The main compartment contains a

Fendi 7VA195 Zucchino Messenger Bag – Zucca $450 The Fendi 7VA195 Zucchino Messenger Bag is a stunning stylish fashionable handbag.  The main compartment features a zippered center compartment   and  open pockets. Flapover and snap closure.  Includes c

Prada BR2703 Leather Handbag – Black $399 The Prada BR2703 Leather Handbag is a popular fashionable handbag made out of textured calfskin leather with a rich finish. It features adjustable side-straps with buckle detail double main compartment with an additional slot in the divider Signature

Prada BR4393 Leather Shopping Tote – Orange $550 The Prada BR4393  Leather Shopping Tote  is a popular fashionable handbag made out of textured calfskin leather with a rich finish. It features removable shoulder strap with buckle detail Main compartment with snap closure exterior

Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Crossbody Bag – Purple $64.99 The Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment 2 front side compartments with zippered closure  Love Kills Slowl

Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Crossbody Bag – Red $64.99 The Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment 2 front side compartments with zippered closure  Love Kills Slowl

Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Shoulder Bag – Purple $68.99 A great Bag for errand running days. The Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Slowly Shoulder Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment  Love Kills Slowly logo on the

Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Shoulder Bag – Red $68.99 A great Bag for errand running days. The Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Slowly Shoulder Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment  Love Kills Slowly logo on the

Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Shoulder Bag – Black $68.99 A great Bag for errand running days. The Ed Hardy Celeste Love Kills Slowly Shoulder Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment  Love Kills Slowly logo on the

Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Crossbody Bag – Black $64.99 The Ed Hardy Candace Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Mikado Collection . It features zippered closure on main-compartment 2 front side compartments with zippered closure  Love Kills Slowl

Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag – Black $54.99 The Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Au Contraire Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Love Kills Slowly logo on the front with Swaro

Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag – Blue $54.99 The Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Au Contraire Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Love Kills Slowly logo on the front with Swaro

Betseyville Cheetah Bows Cosmetic Case – Natural $24 Put an edgy twist  with this dramatically fun  Betseyville Cheetah Bows  Cosmetic Case from Betseyville.  . Main compartment holds your cosmetics brushes and toiletries Signature logo-embossed patch on front Top zip closure

Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag – Grey $54.99 The Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Au Contraire Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Love Kills Slowly logo on the front with Swaro

Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag – Red $54.99 The Ed Hardy Lisette Love Kills Slowly Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Au Contraire Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Love Kills Slowly logo on the front with Swaro

Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag – Black $54.99 The Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&

Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag – Gold $54.99 The Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&

Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag – Pink $54.99 The Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&

Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag – Silver $54.99 The Ed Hardy Jane Eternal Love Crossbody Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&

Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag – Black $68.99 The Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&nb

Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag – Gold $68.99 The Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details.&nb

Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag – Pink $68.99 The Ed Hardy Belinda Eternal Love Hobo Bag is part of the Ed Hardy  Winter Rose Collection . It features a zippered closure on main-compartment   Eternal Love logo on the front with Swarovski details. Single