Treatment At Florida Medical Clinic
Most healthy people can recover from either bronchitis or pneumonia within a few weeks of treatment. However, complications can arise from either a cold or the flu. In these cases, its important to see your doctor as soon as possible to prevent your condition from worsening. The sooner that you seek treatment, the shorter your recovery time will be!
Why Do I Wheeze At Night
A type of asthma that gets worse at night is called nocturnal asthma. Environmental allergens, stress, hormonal factors, obesity, sinusitis, and more contribute to the worsening of asthma at night. People with nocturnal asthma develop symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, and coughing.
What Wheezing Sounds Like
Wheezing is simply a whistling sound made when breathing. It is typically heard when a person exhales and sounds like a high-pitched whistle. Sometimes it is heard when inhaling or breathing in as well. It is not simply loud breathing or the sound of congestion or mucus when you breathe.
Wheezing is commonly heard in the lungs of people with:
- Asthma
Wheezing is usually a sign that there is a problem with the lungs. It is most often caused by swelling in the lower airway. It can be a medical emergency if not treated quickly.
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Treatment For Pneumonia In Dogs
Common medications prescribed by vets for the treatment of infectious bacterial or aspiration pneumonia in dogs include, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for fever and pain, and bronchodilators and expectorants for coughing and breathing problems. Dogs suffering from a severe case of pneumonia may need to be hospitalized and provided with supplemental oxygen, intravenous antibiotics, or fluid therapy.
Who Is Most At Risk For Getting Pneumonia
People who have an increased risk of pneumonia include:
- People over the age of 65 and infants under age 2. The weakening immune system of older people makes them less able to fight off illnesses. Similarly, the immune system of infants is still developing and not at full-strength, making them more susceptible to infection.
- People with a health-caused weakened immune system. Examples include:
- People who are receiving chemotherapy
- Transplanted organ recipients
- People who have HIV/AIDS
- People with autoimmune disease and who are taking medications that suppress the immune system.
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What Causes Chest Infections
A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or airways. The main types of chest infection are bronchitis and pneumonia.
Most bronchitis cases are caused by viruses. Most pneumonia cases are due to bacteria.
These infections are usually spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This launches tiny droplets of fluid containing the virus or bacteria into the air. These droplets can then be breathed in by others.
The infections can also be spread to others. This happens if you cough or sneeze onto your hand, an object or a surface, and someone else shakes your hand or touches those surfaces before touching their mouth or nose.
Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing serious chest infections, such as:
- babies and very young children
- children with developmental problems
- people who are very overweight
- elderly people
- pregnant women
- people who smoke
- people with long-term health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- people with a weakened immune system this could be due to a recent illness, a transplant, high-dose steroids, chemotherapy or a health condition, such as an undiagnosed HIV infection
When Do The Symptoms And Signs Of Pneumonia Start
The incubation period for pneumonia depends on the type of organism causing the disease, as well as characteristics of the patient, such as his or her age and overall health status. Most cases of pneumonia begin with symptoms similar to those of a cold or the flu that last longer than the flu and become more severe. The symptoms of pneumonia can occur from a few days to a week following the flu-like symptoms.
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How Is Pneumonia Treated
People who have viral pneumonia do not need antibiotics. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses. Someone with viral pneumonia from the flu virus might get an antiviral medicine if its early in the illness.
Doctors treat bacterial pneumonia with an antibiotic taken by mouth. Usually, this can be done at home. The antibiotic they use depends on the type of bacteria thought to have caused the pneumonia.
Some children might need treatment in a hospital if the pneumonia causes a lasting high fever or breathing problems, or if they need oxygen, are vomiting and cant take the medicine, or have a lung infection that may have spread to the bloodstream.
Hospital treatment can include IV antibiotics and fluids and breathing treatments. More serious cases might be treated in the intensive care unit .
What Is The Prognosis And Recovery Time Of Pneumonia Can You Die
Most people with pneumonia improve after three to five days of antibiotic treatment, but a mild cough and fatigue can last longer, up to a month. Patients who required treatment in a hospital may take longer to see improvement.
Pneumonia can also be fatal. The mortality rate is up to 30% for patients with severe pneumonia who require treatment in an intensive care unit. Overall, around 5%-10% of patients who are treated in a hospital setting die from the disease. Pneumonia is more likely to be fatal in the elderly or those with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.
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Signs Of Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia or atypical pneumonia is a bacterial infection that mostly occurs in the lower, but may also affect the upper, respiratory tract. The condition is less severe than other types of pneumonia, and the symptoms are treatable with rest and over-the-counter medications. Many people confuse walking pneumonia with the common flu because they have nearly identical symptoms, and though the former often lasts longer, it generally resolves within a few weeks at most. Usually, symptoms start to develop within two weeks of exposure, though in some cases, the bacteria can incubate for up to a month.
When To Call The Doctor
If you are experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath, see a doctor right away unless you have a known lung disease and already have medication and a treatment plan to try at home.
A doctor should also evaluate persistent wheezing. If it develops after having a cold and cough, it is probably viral bronchitis that will improve in several days to a couple of weeks, but a physician can prescribe you an inhaler to ease your symptoms.
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How Is Wheezing Treated
Your treatment for wheezing depends on its underlying cause. If wheezing is severe or interfering with breathing, you may need to be hospitalized until your breathing improves.
Asthma. If your wheezing is caused by asthma, youll likely be prescribed a type of inhaler to reduce inflammation and open your airways . Inhaled corticosteroids and pills such as montelukast are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat asthma.
Bronchitis. If your doctor determines bronchitis is causing your wheezing, you may be prescribed a bronchodilator such as albuterol or an antibiotic to heal a bacterial infection. This should help you breathe better as you recover.
Other causes of wheezing may require specific treatments. Your doctor will prescribe a plan to treat the underlying cause of your condition, as well as soothe symptoms to help you feel better faster.
What Is The Outlook For Pneumonia
People who are otherwise healthy often recover quickly when given prompt and proper care. However, pneumonia is a serious condition and can be life-threatening if left untreated and especially for those individuals at increased risk for pneumonia.
Even patients who have been successfully treated and have fully recovered may face long-term health issues. Children who have recovered from pneumonia have an increased risk of chronic lung diseases. Adults may experience:
- General decline in quality of life for months or years
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When Can I Return To Work School And Regular Activities If I Have Pneumonia
You typically can resume your normal activities if your symptoms are gone, mild or improving and you do not have new or worsening:
- Shortness of breath or tiredness
- Chest pain
- Mucus, fever or cough
If you are generally healthy, most people feel well enough to return to previous activities in about a week. However, it may take about a month to feel totally back to normal.
How Is Pneumonia In Babies Treated
The treatment depends on the type of pathogen that led to pneumonia:
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Check If You Have A Chest Infection
Chest infections often follow colds or flu.
The main symptoms are:
- a chesty cough you may cough up green or yellow mucus
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- chest pain or discomfort
- aching muscles
- tiredness
These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days.
The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks.
What Are The Symptoms Acute Bronchitis
The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Back and muscle pain
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
The symptoms of acute bronchitis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia In Babies
A baby with pneumonia will display the following symptoms :
Pneumonia symptoms worsen as the pathogen invades the lungs more. Therefore, take your baby to the docto as soon as you suspect any signs of pneumonia.
Stages Of Pneumonia In Seniors
Anyone can get pneumonia with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Seniors may be more likely to get pneumonia and experience serious complications. Due to these higher risks, senior care providers need to recognize early pneumonia symptoms in seniors.
They also should understand the four stages of pneumonia so they can seek prompt treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.
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Can Asthma And Pneumonia Be Prevented
Asthma isnt preventable. Good disease management can cut down on asthma attacks, however.
You can get a vaccination for a type of bacterial pneumonia called pneumococcal pneumonia. Doctors recommend this vaccine for certain people at risk of developing the disease. Ask your doctor if you should get the vaccine.
You can also reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by:
- washing your hands regularly to help reduce the spread of germs
- not smoking, since tobacco use can make it more difficult for your lungs to fight off infection
Signs And Symptoms That Mean You Have Bronchitis
But a cough that wont go away even after your sore throat, fever, and other symptoms have gotten better, and thats accompanied by wheezing or shortness of breath, may indicate that youre dealing with something more serious, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
Given how many symptoms the two respiratory conditions share, its not surprising that bronchitis is often mistaken for pneumonia and vice versa. Bronchitis thats thought to have turned into pneumonia may actually have been pneumonia all along. Its also common for people to think that bronchitis can often turn into pneumonia, but in reality this is not the case for most people, explains Ralph Gonzales, MD, the associate dean for clinical innovation and chief innovation officer for the University of San Francisco Health and an internal medicine specialist. What we call bronchitis may sometimes be pneumonia, he says.
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Symptoms Of Chest Infections
Pneumonia is more common in winter and spring. It can strike suddenly or come on slowly over a few days. The symptoms will depend on your age, the cause and severity of the infection, and any other medical problems you may have. Symptoms include:
- Fast or difficult breathing
- Coughing with brown or green-coloured phlegm
- Fever
- Blue colour around the lips
- Stomach pain
- A child may vomit, have diarrhoea and be irritable or lethargic.
How To Prevent Pneumonia
The best way to reduce the risk of developing pneumonia are lifestyle changes, including being a non-smoker. This is because smoking damages the lungs and increases the risk of infection.
Another tip would be to limit alcohol consumption, as alcohol misuse can weaken the lung’s natural ability to fight against infection.
Anyone at high risk of getting pneumonia are also advised to get the flu vaccine. You can also get the Covid vaccines, including the booster to prevent yourself from developing pneumonia as a side effect of Covid.
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What Are Complications Of Pneumonia
There are a number of potential complications of pneumonia. The infection that causes pneumonia can spread to the bloodstream, causing . Sepsis is a serious condition that can result in lowering of blood pressure and failure of oxygen to reach the tissues of the body, resulting in the need for intensive care management. Another complication is the accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung tissue and the chest wall lining, known as a pleural effusion. The organisms responsible for the pneumonia may infect the fluid in a pleural effusion, known as an empyema. Pneumonia can also result in the formation of an abscess within the lungs or airways.
How Common Is Pneumonia In Babies
According to UNICEF, pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of death among children under five . Pneumonia accounts for 16% of deaths among children below the age of five years, with those aged less than two at a higher risk. Almost half of the childhood pneumonia deaths occur due to air pollution, which includes indoor air pollution.
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What Can I Do To Feel Better If I Have Pneumonia
- Finish all medications and therapies prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking antibiotics when you start feeling better. Continue taking them until no pills remain. If you dont take all your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come back.
- If over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever have been recommended , take as directed on the label. Never give aspirin to children.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen phlegm.
- Quit smoking if you smoke. Dont be around others who smoke or vape. Surround yourself with as much clean, chemical-free air as possible.
- Use a humidifier, take a steamy shower or bath to make it easier for you to breathe.
- Get lots of rest. Dont rush your recovery. It can take weeks to get your full strength back.
If at any time you start to feel worse, call your doctor right away.
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed
Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
- Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible radiation beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
- Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
- Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.
- Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection.
- Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.
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