DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Infectious Disease

Pneumonia

HIGH SEVERITY

Infection causing inflammation of lung air sacs (alveoli). Can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Leading cause of death in children worldwide and serious illness in elderly.

Global Affected

450.0M

Countries

157

Symptoms

Cough with phlegm
Fever, sweating, shaking chills
Shortness of breath
Chest pain with breathing/coughing
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Confusion (especially elderly)

Treatment Options

Antibiotics (bacterial)
Antivirals (viral)
Oxygen therapy
IV fluids
Fever reducers
Hospitalization (severe)
Mechanical ventilation
Chest physiotherapy

Risk Factors

1Age <5 or >65
2Chronic lung disease
3Smoking
4Immunosuppression
5Diabetes
6Heart disease
7Recent viral infection
8Aspiration risk
9Malnutrition
10HIV/AIDS

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Chest X-ray
  • 2Blood tests
  • 3Sputum culture
  • 4Pulse oximetry
  • 5CT scan
  • 6Bronchoscopy
  • 7Pleural fluid culture

Prognosis

Variable by cause and host. Bacterial: good with antibiotics. Viral: usually self-limiting. Mortality: 5-10% hospitalized; higher in elderly/immunocompromised.

Prevention

  • Vaccination (pneumococcal, influenza, COVID-19)
  • Hand hygiene
  • Smoking cessation
  • Good nutrition
  • Managing chronic conditions
  • Aspiration precautions