Pneumonia: Types, Symptoms and Causes

Types of Pneumonia

Based on the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection, pneumonia is classified

• Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

This is the most common type of pneumonia which occurs outside a healthcare or hospital facility.

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

This includes cases that have been acquired during a hospital stay for another illness.

• Aspiration pneumonia

This includes cases that have been acquired when drink, food, saliva, or vomit go down your windpipe and into your lungs.

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

This includes cases of pneumonia acquired by individuals after being on mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours.

• Healthcare associated pneumonia (HCAP)

This includes cases that have been acquired while in a long-term care facility or in extended-stay clinic.

Symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms are often similar to flu or cold but they stay for a longer duration. The seriousness of the infection varies from case to case, generally depending on the causing agent & patient’s health condition and age. This is why identifying pneumonia symptoms are very important.

Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Difficulty in breathing

• Cough (dry or may produce thick phlegm)

• Below normal body temperature

• Feelings of being unwell

• Loss of appetite

• Pain in chest

• Increased heartbeat

• Fever, shivering and sweating

• Nausea

• Abrupt changes in mental state

• Headaches

Apart from these, less common symptoms include muscle and joint pain, haemoptysis, wheezing, etc. In case of newborns or infants, the signs of pneumonia may or may not reflect, so make sure to consult a doctor if you suspect anything wrong.

Causes

Many bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause the infections that lead to pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause in adults and viruses are the most common cause in school-aged children.  Common illnesses that can lead to pneumonia include:

• Common cold (rhinovirus).

• COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2).

• The flu (influenza virus).

• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV).

• Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV).

• Legionnaires’ disease.

• Mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria.

• Pneumococcal disease.

• Pneumocystis pneumonia.

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Risk Factors

Pneumonia can affect anyone, but two age groups that are at highest risk are children aged 2 years or younger and people who are age 65 years and older. Other factors include:

• Individuals with certain types of chronic health conditions, like asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, liver disease

• Individuals with weakened immune systems caused by HIV, pregnancy or due to use of specific medications, such as cancer drugs or steroids

• Individuals with a brain disorder like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, head injury, etc. which can affect the ability to cough or swallow

• Individuals currently under active hospitalisation, especially if they are on a ventilator

• Individuals who are regularly exposed to harmful lung irritants like toxic fumes, polluted air, etc.

• Individuals with daily smoking habits, which make it more difficult for their bodies to get rid of the mucus from their airways

• Individuals living within a highly populated environment, such as a nursing home, prison and so on

• Individuals with weakened immune systems due to excessive drinking. The probability of inhaling liquid or food into the lungs also increases under alcoholic influence.