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What causes pneumonia?

(1) Mayo Clinic Staff, (2016). Pneumonia and your lungs. [image] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/dxc-20204678 [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].​

(2) Mercola, J. (2016). Different Types of Pneumonia. [online] Mercola.com. Available at: http://articles.mercola.com/pneumonia/types.aspx [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(3) National Institutes of Health, (n.d.). A chain of Streptococci (Streptococcus bacteria). [image] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0025792/ [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].
(4) Carr, J. (2009). A large grouping of Gram-negative Legionella pneumophila bacteria are shown in this colorized 8000X electron micrograph. [image] Available at: https://img.invisiverse.com/img/51/66/63625005563821/0/deadly-legionnaires-disease-bacteria-strikes-again-two-nursing-homes-pennsylvania.1280x600.jpg [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(5) Webster, P. (n.d.). Haemophilus influenzae bacteria attaching to a surface as seen by a scanning electron microscope.. [image] Available at: http://www.hearingreview.com/2014/07/scientist-finds-link-antibiotics-bacterial-biofilm-formation-cause-chronic-ear-sinus-lung-infections/ [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(6)Getty Images, (2015). An image of an Influenza virus, taken by a transmission electron microscope.. [image] Available at: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/20/ask-well-sick-with-two-kinds-of-flu/?_r=0 [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(7) CDC Smith Collection, (n.d.). Color enhanced Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A pararnyovirus, RSV is the single most serious cause of bronchitis and pneumonitis in infants.. [image] Available at: http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/childhood_illnesses_slideshow/princ_rm_photo_of_rsv_virus.jpg [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(8) Coloured Sem Of Pneumocystis Carinii In Aids Lung Photographic Print. (n.d.). [image] Available at: http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/72/7234/FKVN100Z/posters/a-b-dowsett-coloured-sem-of-pneumocystis-carinii-in-aids-lung.jpg [Accessed 29 Mar. 2017].

(9)Cold, F., Health, E., Disease, H., Management, P., Conditions, S., Problems, S., Disorders, S., Checker, S., Interviews, E., Boards, M., Guide, I., Doctor, F., Medications, M., Identifier, P., Interactions, C., Drugs, C., Pregnant, T., Management, D., Obesity, W., Recipes, F., Exercise, F., Beauty, H., Balance, H., Relationships, S., Care, O., Health, W., Health, M., Well, A., Teens, H., Kids, F., Pregnant, G., Trimester, F., Trimester, S., Trimester, T., Baby, N., Health, C., Vaccines, C., Kids, R., Cats, H., Dogs, H., Women, B., Youth', E., MS, F., U.S., H., Attack, V., Boards, M., Blogs, E., Center, N. and Health, L. (2016). What Is Bacterial Pneumonia?. [online] WebMD. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/lung/bacterial-pneumonia#1 [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].

(10) Healthline. (2016). Bacterial Pneumonia: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention. [online] Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/bacterial-pneumonia#causes3 [Accessed 30 Mar. 2017].

(11) En.wikipedia.org. (2009). A man mid-sneeze. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze#/media/File:Sneeze.JPG [Accessed 31 Mar. 2017].

(12) Academy, A. (2017). First Aid - Choking Emergencies - American Health Care Academy. [online] Cpraedcourse.com. Available at: https://cpraedcourse.com/course/hc_fa_bp/17 [Accessed 31 Mar. 2017].


Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria and viruses. Sometimes fungi can also be the cause (1), (2). Because pneumonia can have over 30 different causes, it has been classified according to the type of germ that cause it and to place where you got the infection (1).

 

  • Why classification is important?
    Even though, the community-acquired pneumonia, and the health-acquired pneumonia can be caused by the same germ, the one caught in the hospital or health-care facility is usually a lot more serious. This is because hospitals are the source of antibiotic-resistant strains of germs.


Those with viral infections may be secondarily infected with the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, or Haemophilus influenzae, particularly when other health problems are present.

​

This is the most common type.
The main principles is that it occurs outside of the hospitals and health care facilities.

 Streptococcus pneumoniae
Source (3)

Legionella pneumophila 
Source (4)

Haemophilus influenzae 
Source (5)

Bacterial pneumonia

This type of pneumonia is caused by certain bacteria. It may only involve a small section of your lung, but it can also encompass the entire lung. The severity of the bacterial pneumonia depends on your overall health, the "strength" of bacteria, how quickly is the disease diagnosed and treated, your age, and whether you have other conditions or diseases. 

Bacterial pneumonia is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (sometimes called pneumococcus). There is a vaccination for this bacteria. Other leading causes of bacterial pneumonia include: Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella pneumophila,Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes (9), (10).

This type of pneumonia is caused by certain viruses. Viral pneumonia is often a complication after cold, or a flu, and accounts for one third of all pneumonia cases. Viruses casing pneumonia, spread thorough the air and fluid, therefore, sneezing and coughing is the main transmission mode for those viruses. In many cases, viral pneumonia clears up on its own within a few weeks. However, the severity of the viral pneumonia also depends on your overall health, how quickly is the disease diagnosed and treated, your age, and whether you have other conditions or diseases. 

Most common viruses include: Influenza (flu) A and B, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses.

​

Viral pneumonia

 Influenza virus 
Source (6)

 Respiratory syncytial virus
Source (7)

A fungus - Pneumocystis jiroveci, which sometimes can cause a fungal pneumonia, especially in small children with AIDS.
Source (8)

Community-acquired pneumonia 

Hospital-acquired pneumonia

Aspiration
pneumonia

People sometimes catch pneumonia during the stay in the hospital. This one is usually more serious and more difficult to treat.

This type of pneumonia occurs when you inhale a small chunk of food, or few drops of drinks into your lungs (it can also be vomit or saliva). It is more likely to happen when your normal gag reflex is disturbed. Most common reasons are: brain injury, swallowing problem, excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

References:

Source:  Free from Wix

Source:  Wikipedia (10)

Source:  First Aid Academy (12)

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