How Does Double Pneumonia Spread
The viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites that can cause double pneumonia can be spread from an infected person through-
- Touching any object handled or used by the infected person
- Infrequent hand washing or touching nose, mouth and eyes or eating food with unwashed hands
But just because you are exposed to the same microbes that gave double pneumonia to a person does not mean that you too would develop this illness. All you could contract is a harmless cough and cold.
Hospitalized Or Works In Hospital
The major condition faced by those who are working in a hospital or are hospitalized for more than 48 hours is hospital pneumonia. If you are working in a hospital or hospitalized, the infection is transferred from patient to patient. Those units who closed to pneumonia units are majorly affected. The bacteria here are stronger and less prone to medicines in hospital. The ventilators in ICU is also a major cause of pneumonia.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia
- Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is caused by inflammation of the small airways of the lungs. It is also known as cryptogenic organizing pneumonitis .
- Eosinophilic pneumonia
- Eosinophilic pneumonia is invasion of the lung by eosinophils, a particular kind of white blood cell. Eosinophilic pneumonia often occurs in response to infection with a parasite or after exposure to certain types of environmental factors.
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Limit Contact With Others
One of the best things you can do when recovering from pneumonia is to limit your contact with others. As weve learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemicwhich can cause viral pneumoniastaying at least six feet away from others reduces the amount of viral or bacterial content they are exposed to as you breathe or talk.
What Is The Recovery Time For Covid Pneumonia
Dr. Lee: Regardless of what causes it, regaining strength after pneumonia can take quite a long time from several weeks to many months.
During COVID pneumonia recovery, your body first has to repair the damage caused to the lungs then it has to deal with clearing leftover fluid and debris and, finally, scarring until the tissue is fully healed over all of which come with unpleasant symptoms.
For the 15% of infected individuals who develop moderate to severe COVID-19 and are admitted to the hospital for a few days and require oxygen, the average recovery time ranges between three to six weeks.
For the 5% who develop severe or critical illness, recovery can take much longer.
Everyone’s recovery is unique and depends on:
- Your overall health
- Whether you have preexisting conditions
- The severity of your infection
If you are recovering from COVID pneumonia and experiencing persistent problems, I recommend seeing your doctor for a follow-up evaluation. If your recovery is prolonged, he or she may recommend a specialized program, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, to help get you back on track.
In some cases, patients will have lingering symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection, often called post-COVID syndrome. These “long haulers” can have variety of problems, since the virus can attack not only the lungs, but also the heart, kidneys and brain. Your doctor can also help you manage these lingering symptoms.
Next Steps:
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What We’ve Learned About Managing Covid
How we now treat COVID-19 pneumonia compared to 12 months ago makes a significant difference to survival.
Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have made significant advancements in effectively managing COVID-19 induced pneumonia.
“When the COVID-19 outbreak first occurred, we were seeing catastrophic outcomes in patients who were admitted to hospital with rapidly progressive pneumonia. Unfortunately, the treatments that were used empiricallyinitiallywere not effective, and really had no modifying effect on the evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia,” said Conjoint Professor at UNSW Medicine & Health Christine Jenkins.
Professor Jenkins, who is Head of the Respiratory Group at the George Institute for Global Health, explained most people at that time died from respiratory failure. No matter what strategy was implemented, it was not possible to get enough oxygen into the individual’s system and maintain it.
“That’s because when people developed severe pneumonia from COVID-19, their lungs become filled with fluid and inflammatory cells, and some blood vessels developed clots, so the oxygeneven when it was driven in by mechanical ventilationjust couldn’t get through that inflammatory process. The membranes in the lung were very swollen, so people died from respiratory failure.
What we now know about managing COVID-19 pneumonia
Lung disease and COVID-19 pneumonia
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How Long Is Pneumonia Contagious
You can catch pneumonia from someone who has a viral or bacterial lung infection a day or so before they start showing symptoms.
Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet says that pneumonia can be contagious for up to a weak or so with viral pneumonia. Usually, viral pneumonia is less contagious as the symptoms begin to go away. This usually means that pneumonia is no longer infectious a day or so after the fever has gone.6
Depending on the type of bacterial lung infection, pneumonia caused by bacteria can be contagious for between 1 to 2 days after taking antibiotics. However for tuberculosis it can take two weeks or more after taking antibiotics before the person is no longer contagious.6
This means that the incubation period for pneumonia can be anywhere from 2 to 14 days, depending on the severity of your infection. Its also not uncommon for a cough caused by pneumonia to persist for a few weeks after a person is no longer contagious.
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Double Pneumonia Recovery Time
With proper treatment, most otherwise healthy people can expect to get better within 3 to 5 days. If you have no underlying health conditions, youll most likely be able to resume your normal activities in a week or so. Fatigue and mild symptoms, such as a cough, may last longer.
If you were hospitalized, your recovery time will be longer.
How Do You Get A Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can be fatal sometimes. You may suffer from fever, cough and breath shortness. It can be treated at home in its initial stages. Small children and older adults can become very sick and need to be in the hospital. It is a condition in which the microscopic air sacks alveoli get swollen. It is caused by the bacteria and viruses spreading infection. In this article we will tell you how do you get a pneumonia? There are numerous reasons to get a pneumonia, but we have discussed the major ones.
Symptoms of Pneumonia
Types of Pneumonia
1.) Walking Pneumonia
It is the type of bacterial pneumonia, which is in its initial stages. It has symptoms like cold and cough.
- Low-grade fever
- Loss of appetite
2.) Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacteria are the major cause of pneumonia in adults. Bacterial pneumonia is usually followed by the viral infection like the flu or a cold. It affects the major area of the lung and is known as lobar pneumonia.
- Chills
- High fever
3.) Viral Pneumonia
Viral pneumonia is the major cause of pneumonia for children under age 10. Viral pneumonias normally clear up in one to two weeks, but it increases the risk of bacterial pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is not fatal like the bacterial pneumonia.
- Shortness of Breath
4.) Fungal Pneumonia
Fungal Pneumonia is caused to those who have a weak immune system. It has symptoms of common cold and flu. The weak immune system makes the pneumonia more dangerous and sometimes fatal.
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Questions About Your Symptoms
Bacterial pneumonia, which is the most common form, tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia, with symptoms that require medical care. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Fever may rise as high as a dangerous 105 degrees F, with profuse sweating and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious.
The symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.
Symptoms may vary in certain populations. Newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection. Or, they may vomit, have a fever and cough, or appear restless, sick, or tired and without energy. Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms. They may even have a lower than normal temperature. Older adults who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness. For individuals that already have a chronic lung disease, those symptoms may worsen.
When to call a doctor
What Is Covid Pneumonia
Dr. Lee: Pneumonia occurs when a bacterial or viral infection causes significant damage and inflammation in the lungs. The resulting fluid and debris build-up makes it hard for a person to breathe sometimes to such an extent that oxygen therapy or ventilator support is required. Regardless of the bacteria or virus causing it, pneumonia can become very serious, even life-threatening.
In the case of COVID pneumonia, the damage to the lungs is caused by the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
When COVID pneumonia develops, it causes additional symptoms, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
What’s more is that COVID pneumonia often occurs in both lungs, rather than just one lung or the other. Additionally, the widespread inflammation that occurs in some people with COVID-19 can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome a severe type of lung failure.
Like other respiratory infections that cause pneumonia, COVID-19 can cause short-term lung damage. In more severe cases, the damage can last a long time. In fact, early data is showing that up to a third of COVID pneumonia patients have evidence of scarring on X-rays or lung testing a year after the infection.
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What Is Viral Pneumonia
Various types of viruses can infect the lungs and respiratory tract resulting in viral pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is a common complication of suffering from the influenza virus or the common cold.
According to the journal The Lancet, viral pneumonia is common among children, the elderly, and people with a compromised immune system. Some of the viruses that cause viral infections in the lungs are rhinovirus, bocavirus, or influenza virus. Viral pneumonia is also a type of community-acquired pneumonia and a reason for walking pneumonia.11
Some of the symptoms of viral pneumonia can include:
- A low fever, usually less than 102°F
- A persistent cough that may bring up small amounts of phlegm
- General fatigue
- Aching muscles
What Causes Pneumonia In The Elderly
Pneumonia is an illness that seems to affect seniors in a radically different way than it does people in other age groups. But does it actually target seniors the way it seems to? Find out more about what pneumonia is, what causes it, how to prevent it, and whether seniors contract it in different ways from people in other age groups. If you arent sure what pneumonia is or you are curious about why its such a concern in the world of elder care, take the time to learn more about this illness.
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Pneumonia: Bacteria Virus Or Fungus
Its not always easy to find out whats caused your pneumonia. Phlegm from your cough can be tested for bacteria, and urine tests can sometimes tell your doctor whats causing it. She also may ask about recent travel, hobbies, animals, sick people youve been around, vaccinations, and drugs you take.
Can Pneumonia Go Away On Its Own
Mild forms of walking pneumonia may go away on their own without the use of medication. According to doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, some mild respiratory bacterial infections often clear up by themselves after a few weeks. However, you need to see a doctor if your symptoms of pneumonia become severe.16
Usually, the symptoms of viral pneumonia are less severe and should clear up on their own. Dr. Carol DerSarkissian on WebMD says that no medication is usually prescribed to treat the symptoms of viral pneumonia and the infection has to run its course. With viral pneumonia, a person should stay at home for at least a few days to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.17
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What Causes Aspiration Pneumonia
Pneumonia from aspiration can occur when your defenses are impaired and the aspirated contents have a large amount of harmful bacteria.
You can aspirate and develop pneumonia if your food or drink goes down the wrong way. This may happen even if you can swallow normally and have a regular gag reflex. In that case, most of the time youll be able to prevent this by coughing. Those who have impaired coughing ability, however, may not be able to. This impairment may be due to:
- neurological disorders
What Is The Prognosis For Double Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious disease and can be life-threatening, whether one lung or both are infected. Double pneumonia can be fatal if it isnt treated. About 50,000 people die of pneumonia each year in the United States. Pneumonia is the eighth leading cause of death and is the leading infectious cause of death in the United States.
In general, the more segments of your lungs that are infected, the more severe the disease. This is the case even if all the infected segments are in one lung.
There is a possibility of complications, especially if you have an underlying illness or other high-risk factors. According to the American Thoracic Society , there may be long-term consequences of pneumonia, even for people who fully recover. Children who recover from pneumonia have an increased risk for chronic lung diseases. Also, adults who recover may have heart disease or weakened ability to think, and may be less able to be physically active.
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Is Pneumonia Contagious After Antibiotics
The answer to the question: is pneumonia contagious after antibiotics? depends on the type of pneumonia that is causing your cough.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections of the lungs or for viral pneumonia that has turned into bacterial pneumonia. Doctors from the National Health Service say that usually pneumonia is no longer infectious about 24 hours after taking antibiotics. However, the length of time a person is infectious can vary.15
For example, some antibiotics take longer to work in some people than other people. This means that you could still spread bacterial pneumonia to another person more than 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Or, if you have viral pneumonia together with bacterial pneumonia, you may still pass on viral infections even though you are taking antibiotics.
What Is Fungal Pneumonia
Fungal pneumonia is a noncontagious infection in your respiratory tract that is caused by breathing in spores. These spores infect the air sacs in the lungs and cause inflammation which results in symptoms of pneumonia.
According to Dr. Romeo A. Mandanas, a researcher at the Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma, fungal pneumonia is a less-common type of community-acquired pneumonia than the viral or bacterial varieties. Fungal pathogens can affect healthy individuals as well as people with compromised immune systems.12
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that valley fever is a type of fungal pneumonia common in the southern states in the U.S. This type of fungal pneumonia is caused by breathing in spores from the soil.13
Some of the symptoms of fungal pneumonia can include:14
- A dry cough that is difficult to get rid of
- Breathlessness, especially after physical exertion
- Chest discomfort
- Rash
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Breathing In Unfamiliar Objects
Unfamiliar object when inhaled it causes pneumonia and is commonly known as aspiration pneumonia. The major causes of this pneumonia is foods, liquids, and saliva contents. This pneumonia normally happens when some particle causes disturbance in gag reflex. Nerves of throat and brain are majorly affected by the disturbance in gag reflex.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Pneumonia
1.) Steam to Get Rid of Pneumonia
The inhalation of steam helps to treat pneumonia by removing mucus from the lungs. It also helps to clear the infection and relieve in congestion.
- Take a pot and boil water in it for a few minutes.
- Add 10 t0 15 drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree or camphor oil.
- Breathe in the steam.
- While breathing, cover your head with a cloth so that you get the full benefit.
- Hot shower is also beneficial in Pneumonia.
2.) Garlic to Get Rid of Pneumonia
The antimicrobial properties of garlic helps to cure the infection caused by the bacteria and virus. The rise in temperature is also lowered by the garlic. The mucus present in the lungs is also removed by the garlic. So whenever you get a pneumonia, go for this remedy.
- Take some cloves of garlic and crush it into a fine paste.
- Mix it with a cup of milk and two cups of water.
- Boil the mixture till it is reduced to half of the original amount.
- Drink it two times in a day.
- You can also massage with garlic juice or garlic oil on your chest.
3.) Cayenne Pepper to Get Rid of Pneumonia
5.) Juice to Get Rid of Pneumonia
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