Pneumonia vaccine: Do you need it? – siouxfalls.business

February 13, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by Sanford Health.

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. This is a serious infection in which the air bags are filled with pus and other fluid.

Anyone can get it. But those with the highest risk include children more than 5, adults aged 50 and older, people who smoke and people with certain health conditions.

Most people with pneumonia recover with treatment. But pneumonia can be very serious – even deadly. It is therefore important to prevent pneumonia.

Who needs a pneumonia vaccine?

Disease control and prevention centers recommend pneumococcal vaccination for certain groups of people:

• Children less than 5.
• Adults of 50 years or more.
• Children and adults with a higher risk of pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.

Need your vaccinations? Find a place in Sanford

What causes pneumonia?

There are more than 30 causes of pneumonia and they are grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are:

• Bacterial pneumonia. This type is caused by different bacteria. The most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It often happens when the body is weakened in some way. This may be from illness, poor nutrition, older age or impaired immunity. Bacteria can make the way in the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages. But you are at a greater risk if you are abusing alcohol, smoke, weak, you have just undergone surgery, you have a respiratory disease or a viral infection or have a weak immune system.
• Viral pneumonia. This type is caused by various viruses, including flu. It is responsible for about one third of all cases of pneumonia. SARS-COV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19 can also cause viral pneumonia. It may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia.
• Mycoplasma pneumonia, also known as walking pneumonia. This type has slightly different symptoms and physical signs. It is caused by the bacterium mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is called atypical or walking pneumonia because it usually causes a mild disease that resembles a cold and usually does not require a bed rest or hospital stay.
• Other pneumonia. There are other less common pneumonia that can be caused by other infections, including fungi.

Who is at risk of pneumonia?

Anyone can get pneumonia. But the following groups are at the highest risk:

• Children less than 5.
• Adults 50 years of age or older.
• People with certain health conditions.
• People who smoke or use vaping devices.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may include:

• Cough that makes green, yellow or bloody mucus
• Fever
• Sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Low energy and exceptional fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Heartbeat
• Shaking chills
• Acute or stabbing chest pain that is worse with deep breathing or cough
• Shortness of breath that worsens with activity
• Bluish or greyish color to lips, nails or palms
• Confused mental state or delirium, especially in the elderly

The early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia that can be followed by:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Cough that gets worse

Mycoplasma, also known as walking, pneumonia has slightly different symptoms. These include a severe cough that can make mucus.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

The diagnosis is often made on the basis of your recent health history such as surgery, cold or exposure to travel. Your healthcare provider will also mark the degree of the disease. Based on these factors, your supplier can diagnose pneumonia simply in a thorough history and physical exam.

These tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis:

• Chest X -ray. This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones and organs, including the lungs.
• Blood tests. This blood culture test can be used to see if the infection is present and whether the infection has spread to the blood. The testing of arterial blood gas checks the amount of oxygen in your blood.
• Phlegm or mucus, culture. This test is done on the material that is coughing from the lungs and in the mouth. It is often used to see if there is an infection in the lungs.
• Impulse oximetry. Oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is glued or trimmed on a finger. When the machine is switched on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light is not hot.
• CT chest scanning. This depiction procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to make sharp, detailed horizontal or axial images-often called slices of the body. CT scanning shows detailed images of any part of the body, including bones, muscles, fats and organs. CT scanning is more detailed than ordinary X-rays.
• Bronchoscopy. This is a direct exam for the main respiratory tract of the lungs – the bronchi – using a flexible tube called a bronchoscope. It helps to check and diagnose lung problems, evaluate blockage and remove tissue or test samples.
• Culture of pleural fluid. A liquid sample is taken from the pleural space. This is the space between the lungs and the chest wall. A long thin needle is placed through the skin between the ribs and in the pleural space. The liquid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle. It is sent to a laboratory where it is tested to understand what causes pneumonia.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at home. But severe cases can be treated at the hospital.

Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics can also accelerate recovery from Mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias do not have specific treatment. They often improve themselves.

Another treatment may include good nutrition, increased fluid intake, resting, oxygen therapy, pain medicine, fever control and, if coughing is a severe cough medicine. If you smoke or use Vaping devices, talk to your healthcare provider about the ways to stop.

What are the possible complications of pneumonia?

You are more likely to have complications if you are more adult, a very young child, have a weak immune system or have a serious health problem such as diabetes or cirrhosis. Complications may include:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome. This is a severe form of respiratory failure.
• Pulmonary abscesses. These are pus pockets that form inside or around the lungs. They may need to be exhausted with pipes or surgery.
• Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a respiratory machine or fan.
• Sepsis. This is when the infection enters the bloodstream. This can lead to organ failure.

How can pneumonia be prevented?

One of the best ways to protect yourself from pneumonia is vaccination – not only against pneumonia, but also against other diseases that can lead to pneumonia.

Pneumococcal vaccines can protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia.

In addition, flu is a common cause of pneumonia. So getting the flu any year can help prevent both influenza and pneumonia.

You can also reduce the risk of receiving Covid-19 pneumonia by keeping up with your Covid-19 vaccines.

You can get vaccinations at your primary help clinic or by scheduling a meeting through my Sanford diagram.

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