Causes

Many cases of pneumonia are caused by bacterial infections. The most common infectious cause of pneumonia in the United States is the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. You may develop bacterial pneumonia after you’ve had an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or the flu.

About 50 percent of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses. Viral pneumonia often occurs in the fall and winter and is usually not as severe as pneumonia caused by bacteria.

Mycoplasma are tiny organisms with characteristics of both bacteria and viruses. Mycoplasma pneumonia tends to be mild. Many people with this type of pneumonia never seek medical care. There are a number of other causes of pneumonia, including fungi, parasites, and other diseases, but they are much less common.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia can be similar to a cold or the flu. Different types of pneumonia may have different symptoms, depending on the cause.

Bacterial Pneumonia

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may appear gradually or come on suddenly. They include:

• Shaking/chills
• Chattering teeth
• Severe chest pain
• Sweating
• Cough with thick, rust-colored, or greenish mucus
• Increased breathing and pulse rate
• Bluish-colored lips or nails

Viral Pneumonia

The symptoms of viral pneumonia include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Increasing breathlessness

Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia are often similar to both bacterial and viral pneumonia, though they appear more gradually and are often milder.

Treatment

If you have symptoms of pneumonia, your doctor may do a chest x-ray examination. You may also have blood tests to check your white blood cell count and look for the presence of viruses, bacteria, or other organisms that cause pneumonia.

Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and speed recovery from Mycoplasma pneumonia. There are no effective treatments for most types of viral pneumonia, which usually heal on their own.

Other treatments for pneumonia include rest and getting plenty of fluids. Coughing helps clear infected material from your lungs, so your doctor may not want to give you medication to completely suppress your cough.

If your pneumonia is serious, you may be hospitalized, where you can be observed closely and given antibiotics intravenously (in your vein) if necessary. In some cases you may be given supplemental oxygen or be placed on a ventilator.

Prevention

• A vaccine against some of the common types of Streptococcus pneumonia is recommended for people over age 65 and other people at high risk for pneumonia.
• A vaccine known as Prevnar can be used to protect young children against pneumonia. It’s recommended for all children under age 2 and for children over age 2 who are at high risk for pneumonia, such as children with asthma.
• Because pneumonia often occurs as a complication of the flu, annual influenza vaccinations are also a good way to prevent pneumonia.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 to 30 seconds to eliminate the germs that can cause pneumonia.
• Keep up your resistance to infection with a good diet, plenty of rest, and regular exercise.
• Don’t smoke. It can damage your lungs’ natural defense against respiratory infections.