Pneumonia
Germs that cause pneumonia
More than 100 different germs can cause pneumonia.
1 Germs are often called micro-organisms. This means that they can't be seen without a microscope. Germs live everywhere: in
the soil, air and water, and sometimes in your body. Pneumonia can be caused by
bacteria,
viruses or, more rarely, by a
fungus.
Source:
Mandell LA, Marrie TJ, Grossman RF, et al.
Canadian guidelines for the initial management of community-acquired pneumonia: an evidence-based update by the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 383-421.
Mandell LA, Marrie TJ, Grossman RF, et al.
Canadian guidelines for the initial management of community-acquired pneumonia: an evidence-based update by the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 383-421.
bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
fungus
A fungus is an organism that is sometimes considered to be a type of plant. A fungus lives by feeding on other organisms. The mushrooms we eat in salads are fungi, but so are candida and cryptococcus, which can cause infections in people's bodies.
A fungus is an organism that is sometimes considered to be a type of plant. A fungus lives by feeding on other organisms. The mushrooms we eat in salads are fungi, but so are candida and cryptococcus, which can cause infections in people's bodies.
This is the most common type of pneumonia. You can get it after you have had a cough or a cold. Several different types of
bacteria can cause pneumonia. These bacteria live in the throats of many healthy people, but there aren't enough of them to
cause an
infection. However, if your body's
immune system is weak because you are old or sick, these bacteria can invade your lungs and you can get pneumonia.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
-
Pneumococcal pneumonia. This is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. It causes between one-fifth and three-fifths of all cases of pneumonia.
Source:
Bartlett JG, Mundy LM.
Community-acquired pneumonia.
New England Journal of Medicine. 1995; 333: 1618-1624.
2 It's also known as streptococcal pneumonia. - Legionnaires' disease. The bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease usually grow in the water or ventilation systems of large public buildings. You are more likely to get this type of pneumonia if you smoke a lot or already have a lung disease.
-
Aspiration pneumonia. You can get this type of pneumonia if you accidentally inhale phlegm, swimming-pool water or vomit. Doing this lets germs
get into your lungs.
Source:
Bartlett JG, Dowell SF, Mandell LA, et al.
Practice guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 347-382.
3 This type of pneumonia is more common in people who have difficulty swallowing properly because they have another condition (if they have had astroke
You have a stroke when the blood supply to a part of your brain is cut off. This damages your brain and can cause symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of your body. You may also find it hard to speak if you've had a stroke.stroke, for example).
- Have a fever
- Have shaking and chills
- Have a cough. You might cough up phlegm that is green, rust-colored or yellow. Or you may have a dry cough where nothing comes up
- Have pain in your chest. This often hurts more when you take a deep breath
- Breathe faster than normal
- Have a faster
pulse rate
Your pulse rate is the number of times that your heart beats in one minute. A normal rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, but the heart can speed up under certain circumstances, such as when you exert yourself or when you have an infection.pulse rate than usual - Feel confused or disoriented.
viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.
flu
The flu is a bad infection that gives you a headache, sore throat, aching joints and a fever. Flu is caused by infection with a virus called influenza.
The flu is a bad infection that gives you a headache, sore throat, aching joints and a fever. Flu is caused by infection with a virus called influenza.
Source:
Niederman MS. Mandell LA. Anzueto A, et al.
Guidelines for the management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Diagnosis, assessment of severity, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2001; 163(7):1730-54
Niederman MS. Mandell LA. Anzueto A, et al.
Guidelines for the management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Diagnosis, assessment of severity, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2001; 163(7):1730-54
If you have a flu vaccine, you may be less likely to get pneumonia. If you are protected against flu, it will be unable to weaken your immune system.
A weak immune system can make you more vulnerable to pneumonia.
See Vaccines that help protect you against pneumonia to learn more.
- Have a fever
- Have a dry cough
- Have a headache
- Have weak muscles
- Feel tired
- Feel out of breath.
A type of germ called a
fungus can also cause pneumonia. Fungal pneumonia is rare. It usually affects only people whose immune systems are weak. The symptoms
of fungal pneumonia are similar to those of viral and bacterial pneumonia.
fungus
A fungus is an organism that is sometimes considered to be a type of plant. A fungus lives by feeding on other organisms. The mushrooms we eat in salads are fungi, but so are candida and cryptococcus, which can cause infections in people's bodies.
A fungus is an organism that is sometimes considered to be a type of plant. A fungus lives by feeding on other organisms. The mushrooms we eat in salads are fungi, but so are candida and cryptococcus, which can cause infections in people's bodies.
Another type of pneumonia is found in people whose defenses have been weakened by diseases such as cancer and
AIDS. It's called
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
AIDS
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. People who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) get AIDS when the virus has destroyed most of their immune system. When people have AIDS, their body isn't able to fight infections. So even common infections, such as colds, can cause serious problems.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. People who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) get AIDS when the virus has destroyed most of their immune system. When people have AIDS, their body isn't able to fight infections. So even common infections, such as colds, can cause serious problems.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a less severe form of pneumonia. Its main symptom is a cough that comes in bouts. People can feel sick to their stomach
or vomit if they have this type of pneumonia. It spreads easily, and it often occurs in schools and day-care centers. Mycoplasmas
are not really bacteria, and they're not viruses. They're sometimes called atypical bacteria. They can be treated with antibiotics.
More unusual forms of pneumonia include psittacosis (caused by a germ caught from contact with birds) and Q fever (caught from farm animals).
Sources for the information on this page:
- Mandell LA, Marrie TJ, Grossman RF, et al.Canadian guidelines for the initial management of community-acquired pneumonia: an evidence-based update by the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 383-421.
- Bartlett JG, Mundy LM.Community-acquired pneumonia.New England Journal of Medicine. 1995; 333: 1618-1624.
- Bartlett JG, Dowell SF, Mandell LA, et al.Practice guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 347-382.
- Niederman MS. Mandell LA. Anzueto A, et al.Guidelines for the management of adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Diagnosis, assessment of severity, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention.American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2001; 163(7):1730-54
This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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