- “Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration Pneumonia results when food, drink, vomit, secretions or other foreign material is inhaled and causes an inflammatory response in the lungs and bronchial tubes.
Aspiration Pneumonia occurs predominantly in the right lung because its total capacity is greater than that of the left lung
- Atypical Pneumonia
This term refers of Pneumonia caused by the following bacteria: Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
Atypical pneumonia is caused by bacteria and does not respond to the normal antibiotics used for treatment
- Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial Pneumonia occurs when pneumonia-causing bacteria masses and multiplies in the lungs. The alveoli become inflamed and pus is produced, which spreads around the lungs. The bacteria that caused Bacterial Pneumonia are streptococcus pneumonia, Hemophilus influenza, legionella pneumophilia and staphylococcus aureus
- Bronchial Pneumonia
Bronchopneumonia is “a descending infection starting around the bronchi and bronchioles” (Nurse’s dictionary, Twenty-third edition, 2000). The terminal bronchioles become blocked with exudates and form consolidated patches. This results in atelectasis.
- Community-acquired Pneumonia
This means the infection was acquired at home.
With this type of pneumonia, the most common cause is 'Streptococcus Pneumonia'
- Hospital-acquired Pneumonia
Patients develop features after being in hospital for 24 hours or longer
Infectious agent is often Gram-negative bacteria such as 'Escherichia coli or Klebsiella'
- Mycoplasmal Pneumonia (also known as 'walking pneumonia')
It is similar to bacterial pneumonia, whereby the mycoplasmas proliferate and spread - causing infection (healthscout.com).
- Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the result of a fungal infection in the lungs caused by the Pneumocystis carinii fungus.
This fungus does not cause illness in healthy individuals, but rather in those with a weakened immune system. (Health-cares.net, 2005).
- Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
This type of pneumonia usually occurs two days after a hospitalised patient has been intubated and been receiving mechanical ventilation (Koenig & Truwit, 2006).
This is especially a life-threatening infection as patients who require mechanical support are already critically ill (Torpy, 2007).
- Viral Pneumonia
Viral Pneumonia is believed to be the cause of half of all pneumonias. The viruses invade the lungs and then multiply- causing inflammation (healthscout.com).
Signs and symptoms
Initially symptoms are similar to that of a cold followed by:
- a high fever (pyrexia)
- chills
- a productive cough
Sputum may be discoloured and may become blood-stained as the pneumonia progresses. The following may also occur:
- dyspnoea
- sharp chest pain
- worsening cough
- headaches
- malaise
- muscle pains
- cyanosis due to poorly oxygenated blood
- loss of appetite
- rapid breathing
- wheezing or grunting during breathing
- intercostal muscle recession during breathing
- vomiting
The X-ray will show decreased lung expansion and opacity on the affected side
Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on how bad the symptoms are, and what the cause of the infection is.
- Bacterial Pneumonia can be treated with penicillin and/or anti-biotics
- Viral Pneumonia cannot be treated with anti-biotics, as they have no effect. This type of pneumonia normally resolves over time.
- Mycoplasma Pneumonia is usually treated with anti-biotics.
Doctors will also include the following when treating patients with pneumonia:
- Bed rest
- Breathing exercises
- Analgesic administration
- Cough suppressant medication
- Fever-reducing medication (i.e.: Aspirin)
- Oxygen therapy (when indicated)
Physiotherapy Management
- Modified postural drainage - this allows gravity to drain secretions from specific segments of the lungs
- Shaking and vibes - to mobilize secretions
- Coughing and huffing exercises - to expectorate secretions
- Administer humidification - to mobilize secretions
- Breathing exercises - Localized and Diaphragmatic
- IPPB administration - to increase lung volumes
- Mobilization of the patient - done to increase air entry, increase chest expansion, and to loosen secretions”
Ref http://www.physio-pedia.com/Pneumonia and Google images
