Bacterial pneumonia usually comes during or after a respiratory infection, these are mainly flu or cold. The most common type of Bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal; it is usually a lobar type of pneumonia which can happen to people of every age group. The bacteria causing the infection easily catches a person, this can happen even when you go out with wet hairs or even if you wear light clothes in winters.
Symptoms of Bacterial pneumonia:
The person who has acquired the Bacterial pneumonia infection feels quite sick compared to normal days. The most common symptoms are:
1.Rust green color mucus in cough.
2.Temperature shoots up causing high fever.
3.Chills
4.Teeth chattering
5.Pain in person’s chest.
6.Heart breathing fast and pumping rapidly.
7.Lack of oxygen in blood.
8.Tired feeling and confused state of mind.
Who should be more cautious of bacterial pneumonia infection?
1)People who have weaker immune system should take intense care as they have the maximum risk of contracting infections. People who are over 65 years of age or infants having age less than 2 years are more vulnerable.
2)People who are regular smokers also have the chance of contracting this disease.
3)People with long term illness develop a weaker immune system so they too are much expose to these infections.
4)Ladies who are pregnant also have the risk to contract these diseases easily, also HIV infected patients also have chances to get these infections.
Prevention of bacterial pneumonia infection:
To prevent the bacterial vaccination is a must, get yourself vaccinated there is pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or the PCV and also pneumonial polysaccharide vaccine PPV.
PCV is recommended for children who are younger than 2 years; it can also be given to children between 2-5 years in certain situations. Children above 5 years of age are not given this vaccine. Toddlers are given these vaccines in total of 4 shots.
On the other hand PPV is given to people who are older in age and mostly to people who are more than 65 years of age. In certain cases of people with age from 5 to 65 are given medicines only when they have weak immune system or in certain cases like:
a)When the person has a long term chronic disease, or disease that makes the immune system weak.
b)People who do not have spleen or whose spleen is damaged are also required to take this vaccination.
c)People who are taking medicines to avoid the auto immune diseases.
Treatment of bacterial pneumonia:
Any person who thinks has contracted bacterial pneumonia then the first step should be to immediately call the doctor, for the bacterial pneumonia doctor may definitely issue an antibiotics. If the problem is serious it may definitely require hospital care, so check yourself accordingly. In the hospital treatment you may get:
a)To prevent dehydration, intravenous fluids (IV) are given through a needle to the patient.
b)Medicines are also given through needle, known as the intravenous antibiotics.
c)Breathing treatment with oxygen, known as the special respiratory therapy is also given.
What should be done in mild cases?
a.Take the medicines as directed by the doctor and make sure you take the full dose and don’t lose out on any dose.
b.Stay at home and rest do not move out or stress yourself much; your body needs proper care.
c.Proper fluid intake is necessary; make sure you take the required amount of water, juices and other fluids.
d.Keep your room properly moisturized; it is at most required when you are suffering from bacterial pneumonia.
e.Do not take any medicine on your own, consulting a doctor is the best possible thing that you should do.
With intense care and proper treatment bacterial pneumonia infection can be treated within a week’s time. There are chances that even a mild bacterial pneumonia may turn serious so get proper medication and get proper checkup. If problem persists go and see your doctor.