IS PNEUMONIA CONTAGIOUS?

 

We have come across cases of pneumonia rather we have heard of it

affecting someone, either a family member, a close friend or even a



neighbour, this puts the question right before us ‘Is Pneumonia

Contagious’. Now before I tell you if pneumonia is contagious or not,

kindly go through this article and you will find answers to your question

here.

Pneumonia is an infection that causes the air sacs of the lungs to be

filled up with pus or fluid which makes it difficult for the infected person

to breathe in enough oxygen to reach the blood stream.

Pneumonia can be caused by a bacteria or virus; Now if your pneumonia

is caused by a bacteria or virus it can be spread from one person to

another, which clearly means pneumonia is contagious. Now read

further, there are a probably a lot of things you still do not know about

pneumonia.

Anyone can get the pneumonia virus, but people over the age of 65 and

infants younger than age 2 are of greater risks of contacting the virus

because their immune system might not be strong enough to fight it.

People who smoke and those who drink alcohol will also have a chance

of contacting the pneumonia virus, people who have had swallowing or

coughing problems, patients in hospital, people who have also had viral

infections recently and many others. organisms or when bacteria or

viruses present in the mouth, nose and throat enter the lungs, it can also

be contacted that way.

SYMPTOMS/ SIGNS OF PNEUMONIA

A lot of symptoms/signs tend to occur for you to know if you are having

pneumonia or not. Some people tend to have pneumonia but do not

know about it. Doctors refer to this as ‘Walking Pneumonia’

Viral pneumonia develops slowly in the lungs but in the case of bacterial

pneumonia it has a rapid growth which develops within a day. Infants

tend to have viral pneumonia which the parents do not take notice of

quickly. Now the symptoms which are listed below.

•  Cold

• Sharp chest pain

• High fever

• Chills

• Increased breathing rate

• Cough that produces blood sputum

• Difficulty in feeding for infants

• Lips or nails might become dusky or bluish

SOLUTIONS/REMEDIES OF PNEUMONIA

There are some remedies of pneumonia. However, most cases

can be treated at home. This is when it is not severe, cases of viral

pneumonia can be treated at home. Some home remedies are.

• Antibiotics

• Pain relieving medications

• Rest

• Paracetamol to reduce the fever.

If the case has gotten far from what can be treated at home,

there are some treatments which the doctor will apply in the

hospital. Which are stated below.

• Physiotherapy which helps to clear the sputum from

the lungs

• Oxygen to ensure the body gets enough of it

• Antibiotics given via a drip into the vein

• Intravenous fluids to help in dehydration or in the case

where the patient have difficulty in eating.

You will not recover immediately after all these

treatment, it might take weeks to fully recover as the

sputum have to cleared for you to know you have fully

recovered.

PREVENTION OF PNEUMONIA

There are some preventive measures, we can use to help reduce

the risk of getting infected.

• Stop smoking

• Vaccines are very helpful, however, it will not completely

remove it, but it will help in reducing the risks.

• Keeping your house warm and well ventilated.

• Avoid contact with people who have cold or flu.

• Regular and thorough hand washing.