Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. Practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of pneumonia or the risk of catching it. What is bacterial pneumonia? Causes behind painful breathing, fluid buildup. All rights reserved. A claim posted on Twitter says that most deaths in the 1918 influenza pandemic originated from bacterial pneumonia caused by face masks and that Dr Anthony Fauci, the … Bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own or develop after you've had a viral cold or the flu. You have probably heard of pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. People often have small amounts of germs in their nose and throat that can be passed on through: The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of pneumonia, imaged by an electron microscope Pneumonia is due to infections caused primarily by bacteria or viruses and less commonly by fungi and parasites. To diagnose bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will: Most cases can be treated at home, with medications, to prevent complications from a hospital setting. Drink plenty of fluids (they’ll loosen up the gunk in your lungs so you can cough it out). These are spread among people by breathing in infected dro… It can spread through coughs, sneezes, and contamination on objects. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing: Bacteria pneumonia is caused by bacteria that works its way into the lungs and then multiplies. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. The two most common causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. Bacterial pneumonia may involve just one small section of your lung, or it may encompass your entire lung. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The most common one is Streptococcus (pneumococcus), but other bacteria can cause it too. Chemical, dust, and other inhaled or aspirated substances can also cause a non-infectious pneumonitis. This type of pneumonia generally occurs after an illness such as cold or flu. Causes: Water contamination. What increases your risk for bacterial pneumonia? Both these types of bacterial pneumonia are highly contagious. This will likely be given intravenously, along with fluids to prevent dehydration. Milder than bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia germs are easily spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or has close contact with others. Learn more about…, Many people can fight flu symptoms with lots of rest and fluids, but certain high-risk groups may experience dangerous complications as a result of…. It can enter your lungs through inhalation or through your bloodstream. Learn more. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Stay home until your fever goes down and you aren’t coughing anything out. Pathologists of the time, he adds, were nearly unanimous in the conviction that deaths were not caused directly by the then-unidentified influenza virus, but rather resulted from severe secondary pneumonia caused by various bacteria. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi . Whether or not bacterial pneumonia is contagious depends upon the type of bacteria causing the infection. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia include: People who have these conditions may be at an increased risk for pneumonia: People over the age of 65 and children 2 and younger are also at a higher risk for developing pneumonia. There is a vaccination for this type. These might include: Your doctor probably will prescribe antibiotics. Learn about the symptoms of viral pneumonia and how to treat this contagious condition. In some cases, your child may not even act like they are sick. The two main causes of bacterial pneumonia include community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired … Mycoplasma pneumonia is a contagious respiratory infection. Those at greatest risk for bacterial pneum… The pathophysiology of pneumonia in both cases is somewhat similar. However, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae and tuberculosis are exceptions. Some people may need extra tests. The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days. Listen for abnormal chest sounds that indicate a heavy secretion of mucus. It infects over 900,000 Americans every year. You can get CAP by breathing in respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes, or by skin-to-skin contact. Some cases of bacterial pneumonia will require hospitalization for treatment. Streptococcus pneumoniae (J13) is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in all age groups except newborn infants. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection. It’s very important that you finish all of these. The severity of your pneumonia depends on: The most common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia are: Older adults will share all the symptoms with younger adults, but are much more likely to experience confusion and dizziness. Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. Besides getting shots, you can lower your risk of getting bacterial pneumonia by doing these things: Your doctor might be able to tell if you have bacterial pneumonia just by examining you and asking questions about your symptoms and general health. Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of your lungs caused by certain bacteria. Your doctor might also suggest medication for pain and fever. Older adults may also be less likely to have a fever. The symptoms can come on fast and furious, or they can creep up on you over a few days. 6. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Make sure you keep your follow-up appointments so your doctor can check your lungs. Absent the secondary bacterial infections, many patients might have survived, experts at the time believed. This is also called a “nosocomial infection.” This type of pneumonia is often more resistant to antibiotics and more is difficult to treat than CAP. When this happens, the air sacs in your lungs get infected and inflamed. Many different bacteria, viruses, and even fungi can cause pneumonia. Most kinds of bacterial pneumonia are not highly contagious. Here's what you can do for coughing, fever, and more. Pneumonia is a common lung infection where the lungs’ air sacks become inflamed. Bacterial pneumonia. This article is about pneumonia caused by bacteria. Pneumonia can be a mild illness or it can be something much more serious. Many germs can cause pneumonia. Symptoms: Severe pain in the abdomen, loose motions, weakness, and fever. Pneumonia can be particularly dangerous for infants, children, and toddlers. Otherwise the bacteria may not all be killed and you could get sick all over again. (24% and 13%, respectively, in one series) and gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Escherichia, Stenotrophomonas, Legionella, Acinetobacter, Serratia, Proteus, Enterobacter, and … Pneumococcus is one of the most common causes of severe pneumonia. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. The flu is one of the most common causes of viral pneumonia in adults, though post-flu complications can also cause bacterial pneumonia. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can all cause meningitis. It usually occurs when the body is weakened in some way, such as by illness, poor nutrition, old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs. They fill up with fluid, and that causes pneumonia. Pneumococcus bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing, and close co… Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP): HAP occurs within two to three days of exposure to germs in a medical setting, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. Why Your Sensitivity Is Really a Strength, most likely to affect healthy people with strong immune systems, more likely to affect someone with a lowered immune system, or someone who is recovering from a respiratory infection, may be more aggressive and difficult to treat, how quickly you are diagnosed and treated, working in an environment with a lot of pollution, living or working in a hospital setting or nursing facility, difficulty swallowing due to neurological conditions such as, weakened immune system due to illness or medications. Symptoms of pneumonia . Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (pneumococcus). They’ll probably listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Most infections are due to bacteria or viruses, but some are caused by fungi. These types of pneumonia do not respond to antibiotics. They may also exhibit blueish lips or nails, which indicates that they aren’t getting enough oxygen. These sacs may also fill with fluid, pus, and cellular debris. These include those who recently had an organ transplant. Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of your lungs caused by certain bacteria. Pneumonia for this group can be life-threatening. What are the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends a pneumonia vaccine for infants, young children, and adults age 65 and older. Viruses are generally not as common a cause of CAP as some bacteria. This bacterium may live in your upper respiratory tract. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good.Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection. Pneumocystic Carinii Symptoms. Pneumonia can be caused by a viral infection, aspiration of a harmful substance or foreign object, fungal infection (rare) or due to the use of a ventilator when in hospital. The weakened immune system, respiratory distress, and other illness are the risk factors associated with bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia Types - What Is Bacterial Pneumonia? The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. However, clinicians are not always able to find out which germ caused … You have a higher risk of getting bacteria pneumonia if you: People who have a weakened immune system also have an increased risk for bacterial pneumonia. Take a sample of mucus, or a sputum culture, to identify the bacterium causing the infection. Catching pneumonia. The most common one is Streptococcus (pneumococcus), but other bacteria can cause it too. Haemophilus influenzae is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. However, bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults, and the most frequent culprit is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial vs. viral pneumonia: What’s the difference? The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is due to Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Bacterial pneumonia is frequently caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp. Pneumonia can make it difficult for your body to get enough oxygen to your blood, which can cause cells to not work properly. If you’re young and basically healthy, these bacteria can live in your throat without causing any trouble. Do you have viral or bacterial pneumonia? Streptococcus pneumonia is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. It is caused by bacteria like Shigella and Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli. Although more than 100 strains of infectious agents have been identified, only a few are responsible for the majority of cases. Other things you can do to help yourself get better: Most people who are treated for bacterial pneumonia start feeling better in a few days, but it can take a few weeks before you feel 100% better. Viral pneumonia is a common complication of influenza-like illnesses and is a complication of SARS-COV-2. Bacterial pneumonia is also more likely to enter the blood stream and infect other parts of the body. Some of these germs do spread from person to person, so you may be contagious if you have certain types of pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia often affects just one part, or lobe, of a lung. Without treatment, pneumonia may develop into: Bacterial pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the infection that caused bacterial pneumonia is contagious. When this happens, the condition is called lobar pneumonia. However, they are distinct diseases. For adults and adolescents, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the most common causes of the disease. Visual Guide To Bronchitis: Symptoms, How Long It Lasts, Recovery, Have another condition that weakens your body’s defenses, Feeling like you can’t catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot, People who have a high risk of bacterial pneumonia, Children older than 2 who have a high risk of bacterial pneumonia, People between 19 and 64 who smoke or have. In many cases, people contract pneumonia when bacteria they normally carry in the nose or throat are spread to the lungs. Bacterial: pneumonia is, obviously, caused by bacteria. The two most common causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. The disease spreads easily through contact with respiratory fluids, and it causes regular…, Asthma and pneumonia share some important symptoms, such as shortness of breath and coughing. 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