Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their less robust immune systems. Smoking further exacerbates this risk by damaging the lungs' natural defense mechanisms against infection. Hospitalization, particularly in intensive care units or when mechanical ventilation is required, markedly heightens pneumonia risk. This is also true for people with compromised immune systems, including those living with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or those undergoing specific treatments like chemotherapy or prolonged steroid use. Additionally, residing in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities can amplify exposure to infectious agents, increasing pneumonia risk, as does recent surgery or trauma to the chest or abdomen. Chronic diseases, such as COPD or diabetes, also elevate the risk.
Classification
Pneumonia can be broadly categorized into Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Medical Care–Associated Pneumonia.
Other Types:
A comprehensive understanding of pneumonia's risk factors, classifications, and varieties is vital for its prevention, timely diagnosis, and effective management.
From Chapter 3:
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