Topic: Case Study Of Pneumonia

Pneumonia 1

A CASE STUDY ON PNEUMONIA

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A Case Study on Pneumonia

Overview

Across the globe, Pneumonia is one of the potentially fatal infections that affect both the individual and the health systems. Pneumonia is an inflammation that mostly affects the bronchioles and alveoli of the lungs. It is caused by an infectious agent (bacteria or viruses) that can be spread through airborne respiratory droplets such as coughs or sneezes. The infectious agent may include bacteria, viruses or fungi. As a result, the inflammation causes the air sac, or alveoli of the lungs to be filled with fluid or pus. The infection is often characterized by a sharp pain in the chest, high fever, difficulties in breathing, rapid breathing, and a cough that might be accompanied by thick phlegm. Regarding the level of severity, Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. However, it is fatal among newborns, and young children, individuals older than the age of 65, and individuals with medical issues or deteriorated immune systems.

Causes

Pneumonia is spread by a variety of germs which include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and also parasites. However, the main causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. After inhaling the germs, they can settle in the alveoli inside the lungs and later multiply. In view of this, Pneumonia can be contagious since the germs that cause the disease are usually inhaled. Ones the bacteria or virus attack the lungs, the body reacts by sending white platelets to fight the infection (DeGiacomi, et al 2018, P. 734). Further, the bacteria or viruses will cause the inflammation of the lungs air sacs. The pathogens will then fill up the air sacs with fluid or pus which subsequently results in the pneumonia infection.

Pneumonia is categorised based on the types of infectious agent that cause it and where an individual contacted the infection. Arguably, pneumonia is usually associated with the pneumococcal infection, which is caused by bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal infection is an infection that is caused and spread by a bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumoniae, sometimes referred to as the pneumococcus. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a known affiliate of the bacterial flora inhabiting the nose and throat of approximately 5–10% of healthy adults and 20–40% of healthy children (DiBardino and Wunderink 2015, p. 41). This kind of pneumonia can occur on its own or after one has had a cold or a bad flu. It attacks one side (lobe) of the lungs, causing a condition referred to as lobar pneumonia. However, there are several other different kinds of bacteria that can cause pneumonia which includes Haemophilus influenza and Staphylococcus aureus (Joseph, 2018; p. 670)

Besides bacterial pneumonia, other types of pneumonia are common among patients. They include viral pneumonia which is normally caused by the respiratory syncytial infection (RSV) and occasionally types A or B influenza. This type of pneumonia mostly affects the young children. The second type is aspiration pneumonia which is caused by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, for example, peanut or harmful substances such as contaminated chemicals or smoke (“Pneumonia symptoms, causes and risk factors”, 2016; n.p). The third type is known as fungal pneumonia. Different kinds of fungi are responsible for this type of pneumonia such as Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, and Coccidioides. Despite that it is rare; individuals with weak immune systems are likely to be infected with this type of infection.

Lastly, hospital-acquired pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that mostly develops in health centers such as hospitals. This occurs while being treated for another illness or probably having an operation. Patients who have been admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) and are on breathing machines are mostly at risk of contracting ventilator-associated pneumonia (Joseph 2018, p. 670).

Diagnosis Test

Occasionally, pneumonia can be hard to diagnose since the symptoms vary from one person to another, and are frequently similar to those experienced in a cold or influenza. The illness also shares many signs and symptoms with other illnesses, for instance, asthma and bronchitis. Hence, for a doctor to diagnose pneumonia, and make an effort to identify the germ that is causing the infection, the doctor will inquire about the patient’s medical history, complete a physical analysis, and run a few tests (Amanda et al, 2019; p. 440)

Medical history

In this case, the doctor will inquire about the patient’s signs and symptoms, and how and when the symptoms started. To help figure out if the patient’s infection is brought about by bacteria, viruses or fungi, the doctor may ask the patients about possible exposures. For instance, any ongoing or previous travel, the occupation of the patient, any contact with animals, and exposure to other infected individuals at home, workplace or school, and whether the patient has had any other sickness (Amanda et al, 2019; p. 443)

Physical exam

The medical practitioner will listen to the rhythm of the patient’s lungs using a stethoscope. In case the patient has pneumonia, the patient’s lungs may make crackling, fizzy, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when he or she inhales.

Diagnostic tests

Pneumonia treatment greatly depends on proper diagnostics tests that will determine the cause of the problem. Thus, the physician will likely conduct a chest x-ray which is usually the best approach in the diagnosis of pneumonia. The X-ray aims at identifying any inflammations in the lungs that could affect regular breathing. On the other hand, pulse oximetry will also be conducted to determine the measure of peripheral arterial oxyhemoglobin concentration (Sharma & Ghadiya, 2016; n.p). This is because pneumonia could prevent the lungs from facilitating the movement of oxygen into the bloodstream. In addition, a sputum test will be vital in this process. The sputum is a representation of sample fluids from the lungs taken after a deep cough to determine the source of the infection. It is obtained via a bronchoalveolar lavage or induction whereby the sputum Grain stain is used to identify the causal factors (Kurjak, 2015; 1469). For example, the presence of Gram-positive diplococci is an indication of pneumococcal pneumonia. The blood culture will determine the presence of a complete blood count to verify infection as well as identify the organism that’s causing the infection.

Progression tests

In some instances, the patients may be considered to be at a high-risk due to their age and general health conditions. The doctor may consider carrying out more tests which may include; taking a CT scan of the patient’s chest to get a clear view of the lungs. It will also allow the doctor to check for any abscesses if available or other medical complications. An arterial blood gas test can be done as well. The doctor can also carry out a bronchoscopy, which will help look into the lung’s airways (“Pneumonia symptoms, causes, and risk factors” 2016; n.p).

Treatment

Pneumonia treatment depends on the type of pneumonia that the patient contacted, the germ or infectious agent causing the illness, and the severity of the illness. Most individuals, who have been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia which arguably is the most popular type of pneumonia, are usually discharged to undergo homecare (Landi et al, 2015; p. 126). The main objectives of undergoing treatment are to cure the illness and prevent any other complications that may arise.

Bacterial pneumonia

In instances where the patient has Bacterial pneumonia, the patient is treated using antibiotics. The patient takes the medicine dosage according to the doctor’s prescription. In most individuals, their health starts improving after a day or two of taking the antibiotics (DiBardino & Wunderink, 2015; p. 44).

Viral pneumonia

Regarding viral pneumonia, antibiotics are not prescribed for the patient. If the infection is caused by a virus, the doctor may advise the patient to take an antiviral medicine with progress evident in one to three days antibiotics (DiBardino & Wunderink, 2015; p. 45).

Treatment Advice

However, in case the patient’s symptoms get worse they should visit a doctor immediately. If the symptoms become severe, or the patient develops other health problems, they may need to be treated in a hospital. Most likely, it takes several weeks for one to recover from pneumonia. If a patient is diagnosed with pneumonia, they have to follow their treatment plan, as prescribed by the doctor, and go for regular checkups.

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