Bacterial pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs that causes symptoms such as a cough with mucus, fever, and shortness of breath, which occurs after a flu or cold that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time.
Bacterial pneumonia is usually caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, however, other etiological agents such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumophila can also cause the disease.
- Bacterial pneumonia is usually not contagious and can be treated at home by taking antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
- However.
- Hospitalization may be necessary for infants or elderly patients.
Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may include
Diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia can be performed by a family doctor and/or pneumologist through tests, such as chest x-rays, chest CT scans, blood tests and/or mucus tests.
Transmission of bacterial pneumonia is very difficult and therefore the patient does not contaminate healthy people.Bacterial pneumonia is generally more common due to the accidental entry of bacteria into the lungs through the mouth or other infection somewhere in the body, by suffocation with food, or due to worsening flu or cold.
For example, to prevent pneumonia, it is recommended to wash your hands frequently, avoid staying in closed areas with poor ventilation, such as shopping malls and cinemas, and getting vaccinated against the flu, especially in children and the elderly.
People most at risk of infection are asthmatics, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or patients with weakened immune systems.
Treatment of bacterial pneumonia may be done at home with rest and antibiotic use for 7 to 14 days, depending on medical advice.
However, in some cases, the doctor may recommend that the treatment be complemented with daily sessions of respiratory physiotherapy to eliminate pulmonary secretions and facilitate breathing.
In the most severe cases, when pneumonia is at a later stage or in the case of infants and the elderly, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital to administer antibiotics directly into the vein and receive oxygen. See the medications used, signs of improvement and aggravation, and the care needed for bacterial pneumonia.