how long are you contagious with pneumonia

Overview

In a person with pneumonia, the airways (bronchi) peachy and the air spaces (alveoli) make full with fungus and other fluids.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. When at that place is an infection in the lungs, several things happen, including:

• Your airways smashing (become inflamed)
• The air sacs in the lungs fill up with fungus and other fluids

How practise the lungs work?

Your lungs' chief job is to go oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide. This happens during breathing. You breathe 12 to 20 times per minute when you lot are non sick. When you breathe in, air travels downwardly the back of your throat and passes through your vox box and into your windpipe (trachea). Your trachea splits into two air passages (bronchial tubes). One bronchial tube leads to the left lung, the other to the right lung. For the lungs to perform their best, the airways demand to exist open as y'all breathe in and out. Swelling (inflammation) and fungus can make it harder to motility air through the airways, making it harder to breathe. This leads to shortness of jiff, difficulty animate and feeling more tired than normal.

How common is pneumonia?

Approximately 1 million adults in the United States are hospitalized each yr for pneumonia and 50,000 die from the disease. It is the 2nd most common reason for being admitted to the hospital -- childbirth is number one. Pneumonia is the virtually mutual reason children are admitted to the hospital in the United States. Seniors who are hospitalized for pneumonia face a college chance of death compared to whatsoever of the top 10 other reasons for hospitalization.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Sure types of pneumonia are contagious (spread from person to person). Pneumonia acquired past bacteria or viruses tin can exist contagious when the affliction-carrying organisms are breathed into your lungs. However, not everyone who is exposed to the germs that cause pneumonia volition develop it.

Pneumonia caused by fungi are not contagious. The fungi are in soil, which becomes airborne and inhaled, simply it is non spread from person to person.

How is pneumonia spread from person to person?

Pneumonia is spread when droplets of fluid containing the pneumonia leaner or virus are launched in the air when someone coughs or sneezes and then inhaled past others. You can also get pneumonia from touching an object previously touched past the person with pneumonia (transferring the germs) or touching a tissue used past the infected person and and then touching your oral fissure or nose.

How long do I remain contagious if I take pneumonia?

If you have bacterial pneumonia, you are still considered contagious until about the 2nd twenty-four hours after starting to take antibiotics and you no longer have a fever (if you had one). If you have viral pneumonia, you are however considered contagious until you feel better and have been free of fever for several days.

Who is most at run a risk for getting pneumonia?

People who have an increased risk of pneumonia include:

• People over the historic period of 65 and infants under age ii. The weakening allowed organization of older people makes them less able to fight off illnesses. Similarly, the allowed system of infants is still developing and non at full-strength, making them more than susceptible to infection.
• People with a health-caused weakened allowed arrangement. Examples include:
  • People who are receiving chemotherapy
  • Transplanted organ recipients
  • People who have HIV/AIDS
  • People with autoimmune disease (such every bit lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis) and who are taking medications that suppress the immune system.
• People who have health weather that affect the lungs or middle. Examples include:
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary affliction
  • Emphysema
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Interstitial pneumonia
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Heart illness
  • Sarcoidosis
• People who take neurological conditions that make swallowing difficult. These people are at risk for pneumonia caused by aspiration. Examples include:
  • Dementia
  • Parkinson's affliction
  • Stroke
• People who are in the hospital. In particular, people in the ICU or anyone recovering who spends a large amounts of fourth dimension lying on their backs. This position allows fluids, mucus or germs to settle in the lungs. People who need ventilators to breathe are at fifty-fifty greater risk since they have a difficult fourth dimension coughing upwards germs that could cause a lung infection.
• People who smoke or beverage alcohol. Smoking amercement lung tissue and long-term alcohol corruption weakens the immune system.
• People who are exposed to toxic fumes, chemicals or secondhand smoke. These contaminants weaken lung function and make it easier to develop a lung infection.
• Pregnant women. Existence pregnant increases the gamble of developing pneumonia. This is due to the allowed system of a mother not working at full force considering the body is working harder to support the growth of the babe.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia tin can be acquired by a broad variety of bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia is most normally classified by the type of germ that causes it and by the location where the person became infected.

Community-acquired pneumonia is the nigh common type of pneumonia. This type of pneumonia occurs outside of a hospital or other healthcare facility. Causes include:

• Leaner: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia.
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other atypical bacteria: Other types of bacteria with unique features tin can cause different types of pneumonia. These include Mycoplasma pneumoniae (causes "walking" pneumonia), Chlamydia pneumoniae (causes Chlamydia pneumonia) and Legionella pneumoniae (causes Legionnaires' affliction).
• Viruses: Any virus that causes a respiratory tract infection (infections of the nose, throat, trachea [windpipe], and lungs) can crusade pneumonia. The viruses that cause colds and flu (flu) can crusade pneumonia.
• Fungi (molds): Pneumonia acquired by fungi is the least common as pneumonia. Fungus in the soil in certain parts of the U.s.a. tin can get airborne and cause pneumonia. One example is valley fever.

Infirmary-acquired pneumonia develops during a stay in the infirmary for another disease. This blazon of pneumonia can be more serious considering the person is already sick and antibiotics typically used may be less effective. Bacteria adjust and change over time when exposed to antibiotics, making them less effective (called antimicrobial resistance). People in hospitals spread their drug-resistant bacteria to others, leading to more than astringent and difficult-to-treat cases of pneumonia. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators) are at increased risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Long-term care facility-acquired pneumonia occurs in long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes) or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. Like hospitalized patients, drug-resistant bacteria are institute in this setting.

Aspiration pneumonia is another type of pneumonia. Aspiration is when solid food, liquids, saliva or vomit become downward the trachea (windpipe) and into the lungs instead of going down the esophagus and into the tum. If you can't cough up these substances, these particles remain in lung tissue and tin can become infected and pneumonia may develop.

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial versus viral pneumonia in adults?

Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild (common cold- or flu-like symptoms) sometimes chosen "walking pneumonia" to severe. How serious your case of pneumonia depends on the particular germ causing pneumonia, your overall wellness, and your age.

Bacterial pneumonia: Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include:

• High fever (upward to 105° F)
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Trouble animate: rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Chills
• Cough with fungus (might be light-green in color or contain a modest amount of blood)
• Breast pain and/or abdominal pain, peculiarly with coughing or deep breathing
• Loss of ambition
• Confused mental state or changes in sensation (particularly in older adults)

Viral pneumonia: Symptoms commonly develop over a menstruation of several days. Early symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, which include:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Weakness

Boosted symptoms appearing about a day later include:

• Higher fever
• Cough with fungus
• Shortness of breath

How can I tell if I have pneumonia versus the mutual cold or the flu?

Do I have a cold or could information technology be the influenza or fifty-fifty pneumonia? It's tough to tell the difference but critical to know when to seek medical care

Lookout for these ongoing symptoms that occur in pneumonia:

• Serious congestion or breast pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• A fever of 102 or higher.
• Coughing that produces pus.

Pneumonia symptoms final longer than cold and influenza. If your symptoms aren't severe, it's okay to try such home remedies as getting more rest, drinking more fluids and taking some over-the-counter medicines and see what happens. But if you don't see comeback in your symptoms later on three to five days, or if you are experiencing more serious symptoms such as dizziness or astringent difficulty breathing, see your healthcare provider. Don't let it go. Pneumonia-similar symptoms in very young children or in adults older than 65 are a crusade for concern. Also, pneumonia tin cause permanent lung damage if left untreated for also long. And e'er seek immediate care if you experience chest pain or take breathing difficulties.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia in children vary from child to kid and likewise depend on your child's age, cause of the infection, and severity of their illness.

Usual symptoms include:

• Fever, chills, full general discomfort, sweating/flushed skin.
• Cough.
• Rapid animate (tachypnea).
• Difficulty breathing, which can be seen every bit:
  • A widening of nostrils while breathing (nasal flaring)
  • Inward movement of breast wall when a child breaths in (lower chest in-cartoon). With normal breathing, chest moves outward when animate in.
• Wheezing.
• Pain in breast, peculiarly when coughing or breathing deeply.
• Bluish tint to lips or nails due to decreased oxygen level in the blood.
• Loss of appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Increased tiredness (fatigue).

Babies and toddlers may show these symptoms:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty feeding.
• Problem animate. Makes a grunting sound with animate; noisy or rattly animate.
• Temporarily finish breathing during sleep.
• Decreased amount of urine product.
• Pale colour
• Appear limp.
• Cry more than usual. Are restless or more than fussy.

Adolescents have the aforementioned symptoms as adults, including:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.

Newborns are at greater risk of pneumonia caused by bacteria present in the birth culvert. In immature children, viruses are the main cause of pneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by leaner tends to happen all of a sudden, starting with fever and fast animate. Symptoms appear more slowly and tend to be less severe when pneumonia is caused by viruses.

Are symptoms of pneumonia unlike in seniors?

Older adults may have milder symptoms and may not have a fever. A sudden change in mental state is sometimes a sign of pneumonia in this historic period group.

Is it possible to take pneumonia without having a fever?

It'south not the norm only, aye, it'southward possible to accept pneumonia with a low fever or even no fever. If this occurs, it's usually in the very immature (newborns and infants) and in older adults or adults with a weakened immune organisation.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Anyone tin experience complications from pneumonia. Even so, people in high-risk groups are more likely to develop complications, including:

• Breathing difficulties: Pneumonia can brand animate hard. Pneumonia plus an existing lung disorder (such every bit COPD, emphysema, asthma) can brand breathing even more difficult. Breathing difficulties may crave a hospital stay to receive oxygen therapy or breathing and healing assistance with the use of a breathing car (ventilator).
• Fluid buildup in the lungs (chosen pleural effusion or "water on the lungs"): Pneumonia can cause a buildup in the fluid between the membranes that line the lungs and the within of the chest crenel. It is a serious condition that makes animate difficult. Pleural effusion tin exist treated by draining excess fluid with a catheter, breast tube or past surgery.
• Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia): The bacteria that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.
• Lung abscess. A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung that is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be treated by draining the pus with a long needle or removing it by surgery.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Your dr. will exercise a thorough exam. During your exam he or she will:

• Ask virtually your health history and conduct a physical exam.
• Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope.
• Possibly order a chest X-ray to expect for signs of pneumonia and the extent of the infection.
• Conduct a pulse oximetry examination to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood (indicates how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your bloodstream).
• Lodge laboratory tests of your claret and/or mucus to determine the type of infection – bacteria, virus, or mucus – that has acquired pneumonia.

If you are a high-adventure patient, your doc may order other tests.

Management and Treatment

How is pneumonia treated?

How pneumonia is treated depends on the germs that cause it.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Bacterial pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics. The specific antibiotic choice depends on such factors every bit your full general wellness, other health weather you may have, the type of medications you are currently taking (if any), your recent (if any) use of antibiotics, any evidence of antibiotic resistance in the local customs and your age. Medicines to salvage pain and lower fever may also be helpful. Ask your doctor if yous should take a cough suppressant. It's important to be able to cough to clear your lungs.
• Viral pneumonia: Antibiotics are not used to fight viruses. (In some cases antibiotics may be given to fight a bacterial infection that is likewise present.) There are no treatments for most viral causes of pneumonia. However, if the flu virus is thought to be the cause, antiviral drugs might exist prescribed, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), or peramivir (Rapivab®), to subtract the length and severity of the disease. Over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain and lower fever are usually recommended. Other medicines and therapies such as breathing treatments and exercises to loosen fungus may be prescribed by your dr..
• Fungal pneumonia: Antifungal medication is prescribed if a fungus is the cause of your pneumonia.

Is pneumonia treated any differently in children?

Essentially no. Just similar adults, bacterial causes of pneumonia in children may be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are not used to treat pneumonia caused by viruses. Flu-related pneumonia may be treated with antiviral medicine if defenseless early in the form of illness. Most cases of pneumonia are treated with "comfort intendance" measures that ease symptoms. These may include:

• Drinking more fluids.
• Getting more remainder.
• Taking over-the-counter medicines for coughing and acetaminophen for fever. Be certain to bank check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have whatsoever questions or concerns most giving medicines to your child.
• Using a cool mist humidifier in your child'due south room.

How soon after treatment for pneumonia volition I begin to experience better?

How soon y'all will feel better depends on several factors, including:

• Your age
• The crusade of your pneumonia
• The severity of your pneumonia
• If you take other "at-risk" conditions

If you are generally healthy, most symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours after starting handling. Symptoms of viral pneumonia commonly begin to improve inside a few days later on starting treatment. A cough tin can last for several weeks. Most people written report beingness tired for virtually a month after contracting pneumonia.

When would I demand to exist hospitalized for pneumonia?

If your case of pneumonia is more than severe, you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment. Hospital treatments may include:

• Oxygen
• Fluids, antibiotics and other medicines given through an Iv (direct into the vein)
• Breathing treatments and exercises to help loosen mucus

People near probable to be hospitalized are those who are most frail and/or at increased risk, including:

• Babies and young children
• People over historic period 65
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with health conditions that affect the heart and lungs

It may accept six to viii weeks to return to a normal level of functioning and well-beingness if you've been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Prevention

Are vaccines available to forestall pneumonia?

Yes, at that place are two types of vaccines (shots) specifically approved to prevent pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Similar to a influenza shot, these vaccines won't protect against all types of pneumonia, merely if y'all practice come down with pneumonia, it's less likely to be equally astringent or potentially life-threatening – especially for people who are at increased risk for pneumonia.

• Bacterial pneumonia: Two pneumonia vaccines, Pneumovax23® and Prevnar13®, protect against the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia.
  • Pneumovax23® protects against 23 unlike types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of age and older and children over two years of age who are at increased hazard for pneumonia.
  • Prevnar13® protects against thirteen types of pneumonia bacteria. It is recommended for all adults 65 years of historic period and older and children under two years of age. Enquire your healthcare provider about these vaccines.
• Viral pneumonia: Go a flu vaccine (shot) in one case every yr. Flu vaccines are prepared to protect against that year'due south virus strain. Having the flu can get in easier to get bacterial pneumonia.

If yous accept children, ask their medico about other vaccines they should become. Several babyhood vaccines aid prevent infections caused by the bacteria and viruses that can pb to pneumonia.

Besides vaccination, what else can I do to prevent bacterial and viral pneumonia?

Receiving all recommended vaccinations is one of the best means to prevent pneumonia. Additionally, there are several other ways to preclude pneumonia, including:

• Quitting smoking, and fugitive secondhand smoke. Smoking damages your lungs.
• Washing your hands before eating, before handling food, after using the restroom, and later on being outside. If soap is not available, utilise an booze-based manus sanitizer.
• Avoiding beingness around people who are sick. Inquire them to visit when they are feeling meliorate.
• Not touching or sharing objects that are shared with others. Germs can be transferred from object to you lot if y'all touch your nose or oral fissure without washing or sanitizing your hands first.
• Eating a healthy diet, exercise, and get plenty balance. Healthy habits continue your immune system stiff.
• Getting treated for whatsoever other infections or health conditions you may have. These conditions could weaken your immune system, which could increment your chance of infections.
• Fugitive excessive consumption of alcohol.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for pneumonia?

People who are otherwise healthy often recover quickly when given prompt and proper intendance. Withal, pneumonia is a serious condition and tin can exist life-threatening if left untreated and especially for those individuals at increased gamble for pneumonia.

Even patients who have been successfully treated and have fully recovered may confront long-term health issues. Children who have recovered from pneumonia have an increased risk of chronic lung diseases. Adults may experience:

• Decreased ability to exercise
• Worsening of cardiovascular disease
• Mental decline
• General decline in quality of life for months or years

Living With

What can I do to feel better if I have pneumonia?

• End all medications and therapies prescribed by your doc. Practice not finish taking antibiotics when you start feeling amend. Continue taking them until no pills remain. If you don't accept all your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come back.
• If over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever accept been recommended (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen), take as directed on the label. Never give aspirin to children.
• Potable plenty of fluids to aid loosen phlegm.
• Quit smoking if y'all smoke. Don't be around others who fume or vape. Surround yourself with equally much clean, chemic-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. Don't rush your recovery. Information technology tin take weeks to get your total strength dorsum.

If at whatsoever time y'all start to feel worse, call your doc right away.

When can I return to piece of work, schoolhouse and regular activities if I have pneumonia?

You typically can resume your normal activities if your symptoms are gone, mild or improving and you practise non have new or worsening:

• Shortness of breath or tiredness (less energy)
• Chest pain
• Mucus, fever or cough

If you lot are generally healthy, most people feel well plenty to render to previous activities in about a calendar week. However, information technology may have well-nigh a month to experience totally back to normal.

When should I see a doctor?

Call your doctor if you lot:

• Have new or worsening:
  • Shortness of breath with activities or when lying downwardly
  • Fever or cough with fungus
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
• Have a change in appetite (less hunger)
• Feel uneasy and know that something is not correct

If you or your loved one with symptoms is in a high, "at-risk" grouping, see your doctor as soon as possible. Pneumonia tin become a life-threatening condition.

When should I go to the emergency room?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you:

• Struggle to breathe or are short of breath while sitting still
• Accept new or worsening chest pain
• Are dislocated or cannot recall clearly

Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4471-pneumonia

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