Celebrity health: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was hospitalised with pneumonia recently, proving it's not just an illness of the poor
Monday June 11 2007
Pneumonia is not necessarily an easy illness to spot. In its early stages, it often mimics a cold or flu. One giveaway symptom is severe chest pain.
However, the effects of the infection vary widely, as there are many different strains of pneumonia, with new ones constantly developing.
Sometimes pneumonia is caused by bacterial infection.
Tell-tale signs include shaking chills, shortness of breath, high fever, chest pains and a cough that produces thick yellow phlegm.
One of the ironies about bacterial pneumonia is that the younger you are, the more severe your reaction is likely to be. Indeed, older people may actually see their temperature fall as a result of pneumonia. Usually, bacterial pneumonia is confined to one part (lobe) of the lung.
Fifty per cent of pneumonia cases are caused by the virus. Typically, a viral infection starts with a dry cough, headache and muscle pains.
Over time. the sufferer will become breathless and develop a cough that produces small amounts of phlegm.
There are two other common forms of pneumonia: mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by a tiny organism called a mycoplasma. This is among the less severe forms of the condition. Indeed, often you may not even be aware that you have it. For these reasons, it is commonly known as “walking pneumonia”.
Fungal pneumonia is caused by inhaling fungi. Few people will develop any symptoms. Some, however, will show all the signs of a full-blown case of pneumonia.
Whatever form of pneumonia you’ve got, the illness works in the same way, penetrating the membrane around the lungs and attacking the air sacs.
Some people are at higher risk of pneumonia than others, regardless of age. Smokers and alcoholics are more likely to develop a lung infection. Smoking causes secretions to accumulate on the tiny hairs that cover the lungs.
Alcohol is shown to interfere with the actions of the white blood cells that fight lung infection.Being exposed to toxins or high levels of pollution can also lead to lung damage and open the way for pneumonia.
The complications of pneumonia are very often as harmful as the original infection. Pneumonia can become deadly when bacteria invades the bloodstream, spreading to other organs. Fluid accumulating around the lungs and lung abscesses (a pus-filled cavity) are additional risk factors.
Treating pneumonia isn’t necessarily a straightforward process. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, although these aren’t always effective against viral pneumonia.
Sometimes, a period of rest — and plenty of fluids — is just as important.
