Doctor's Notes on Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue caused by a bacterial infection. A number of different kinds of bacteria can cause pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Pneumonia may affect one or both lungs and can involve any part of the lung or the entire lung.
Pneumonia often begins with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, like sore throat and nasal congestion or runny nose. Associated symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The cough usually produces thick sputum. Other possible symptoms of pneumonia are muscle aches, headache, weakness, and fatigue.
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Bronchitis (Chronic)
Bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. There are several viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke are also risks. Bronchitis is contagious if it is viral or bacterial. It is not contagious if it is due to smoking, air pollution, and other inhaled irritants. Symptoms of bronchitis include cough, sore throat, wheezing, fever, chills, etc. Treatment for bronchitis depends on the cause. -
Coughs (Acute and Chronic)
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Fever (in Adults)
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.