Bacterial Pneumonia | Viral Pneumonia | Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Viral and Bacterial Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma due to acute microbial infection of lower respiratory tract.
Causative organisms responsible for pneumonia include- streptococcus pneumoniae, staphylococcus aureus, mycoplasma pneumoniae, klebsiella, actinomyces (fungi) and also viruses.

Commonly a person affected with pneumonia presents with

Sudden onset of fever chills.
Productive cough.
Breathlessness and chest pain.
Along with constitutional symptoms like malaise and decreased appetite.
There is usually a history of previous untreated or ill-treated respiratory infection.

Diagnosis of pneumonia is done by classical chest X-ray findings suggestive of consolidation of affected area of the lung.
Pneumonia is a clinical condition which requires immediate medical attention, proper management with antibiotics according to sensitivity of the organism isolated from the cough secretions of the patient.

But during the initial stages of the disease following home remedies can be made use of

Garlic- garlic has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial action and works very well in early stages of the disease when consumed internally. A paste of garlic can also be applied externally on chest.
Fenugreek seeds- tea made from fenugreek seeds will help body to produce perspiration and remove toxicity and to reduce the periods of fever.
The pleurisy or pleuritic chest pain of pneumonia can be reduced by fomenting chest with warm towel/napkin and rubbing oil of turpentine.
Vegetable juice of carrots, spinach beet and cucumber have also found useful in pneumonia.

Care has to be taken regarding diet of the person. Emphasis should be kept on hydration of patient, plenty of fresh fruits, fruit juices and a light diet should be given. Avoid heavy food stuffs.
Check fever and monitor every hourly. Give cold water sponging to patient in acute fever or applying cold packs to body; this will help bring down fever quickly.

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