The conception that cold weather cause pneumonia is widespread, but is it true? Let’s burst some myths together and get into the facts of this serious lung infection.
What is pneumonia?
It is an inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs.
Due to this, the air sacs become filled with pus or fluid, causing cough, fever and difficult breathing.
What causes pneumonia?
The most common cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria.
It usually develops after a cold or flu.
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Other causes include;
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Mislodged food or drink.
What are its symptoms?
- Productive cough
- Fever, sweating and chills
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain when breathing or coughing
- Muscle aches
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Who gets it?
Everybody does, however it is common in people with reduced immunity, such as;
- Young children and infants
- Elderly adults
- People with chronic diseases
- Smokers.
How is it diagnosed?
It can be diagnosed using;
- Physical examination
- Chest X rays
- Blood tests
- Sputum tests
These would help identify the type and extent of infection.
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Depending on the cause, pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics or antifungal agents.
Viral pneumonia resolves on its own. However, symptoms are managed.
Now, to clear some misconceptions.
- Does cold cause pneumonia?
No, cold doesn’t cause it directly.
It is due to a bacterial, fungal, viral or aspirational cause.
What cold does is reduce your immunity, making you susceptible to an infection.
- Only the elderly get pneumonia
Wrong. The elderly and very young population are at greater risk of an infection.
However, it can happen to anyone.
- It is always treated with antibiotics.
Wrong.
There’re different causes of pneumonia, ..which include viruses and fungi.
Those infections are treated accordingly.
- It is always life threatening.
Pneumonia can be a serious infection, but not always.
Most times, it’s due to a virus which resolves on its own.
Can pneumonia be prevented?
Yes it can.
- Annual vaccines to prevent the flu and pneumococcus
- Wash hands regularly
- Maintain personal hygiene
- Avoid smoking
- Strengthen your immune system with diet, exercise and sleep
- Cover yourself up properly
- Avoid contact with sick people.
Seek medical help immediately if you have serious symptoms.
Remember, don’t self medicate.
Pneumonia is completely treatable, if detected on time.
By Pharm. Great, @OGreat6
