Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the lung. It is often described as lung parenchyma or alveolar inflammation leading to abnormal alveolar filling with fluid. Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs.

Predisposing and Precipitating Factors

Modifiable and Non-modifiable Factors

Poor Diet is a modifiable factor in which this is crucial in the strengthening of the immune system of the client. Without the sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals that are present in the diet, the defense mechanism of the body is weakened; making it susceptible to infection and invasion of possible microorganisms that are present in the environment. This can be attributed to the possibility that these microorganisms are dwelling in the environment itself.

Place of residence is underdeveloped is another modifiable factor since crowdedness of the people living in a particular geographical area would facilitate direct contact mode of transmission of possible microorganisms or through droplet infection, as well. This will make the client susceptible for acquiring a disease from someone proximal to him; therefore, a disease may or may not develop depending on the distance of the client from an infected person and the virulence of the disease.

Age is a non-modifiable factor in which the client’s immunity against possible diseases is not that developed in comparison to adults.

Sex is a non-modifiable factor in which the occurrence of the said disease in prevalent in males more it is in females.

Signs and Symptoms

Cough an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder. Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive; a reflex which is said to be a natural defense mechanism because of its action of expulsing bacteria out of the tracheobronchial tree.

Dyspnea is the difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. It is a sign of serious disease of the airway, lungs, or heart.

Chills refer to feeling cold after an exposure to a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering, accompanied by paleness and feeling cold

Fever isn’t an illness itself, but it’s usually a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on in your body. Fevers aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, fevers seem to play a key role in helping your body fight off a number of infections.

Vomiting is seldom related to food intake, is usually the result of irritation of the vagal centers in the medulla

Chest pain or  angina, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or fullness in substernum, radiation to arms and hands is described as numbness, tingling, or aching

Cyanosis refers to a blue or purple hue to the skin. It is most easily observed on the lips, tongue and fingernails. Cyanosis indicates there may be decreased oxygen in the bloodstream. It may suggest a problem with the lungs, but most often is a result of mixing blue and red blood due to defects of the heart or great vessels. Cyanosis is a finding based on observation, not a laboratory test. Cyanosis is usually caused by either serious lung or heart disease, or circulation problems.

Loss of Appetite is a result of decrease in the brain impulses that stimulates the function of the taste buds. It is because of the vascular changes in the cephalic area. Since the alveoli where filled with fluids and exudates, gas exchange was not accomplished well; so what happened was, there was diminished Oxygen in the body, as it was manifested by the presence of cyanosis. Hypoxemia had erupted resulting to low oxygen in the brain and muscles which eventually lead to the vascular changes.

Abdominal pain: the patient experiences pain on his/hers stomach

Decreased activity: decrease in activity patter

Loss of appetite (in older children) or poor feeding (in infants)

In extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

Headache is the outcome when there is low oxygen in the brain. There are vascular changes in the cephalic area.

Body Malaise had resulted out of low oxygen content in the muscles. Since the cells in the body require sufficient amount in oxygen, it cannot work properly if its level is decrease resulting to malaise.

Preventive Measures

Get vaccinated. A vaccine known as pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can help protect young children against pneumonia. It’s recommended for all children younger than age 2 and for children 2 years and older who are at particular risk of pneumococcal disease, such as those with an immune system deficiency, cancer, cardiovascular disease or sickle cell anemia. Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine are generally minor and include mild soreness or swelling at the injection site.

Wash hands. Hands are in almost constant contact with germs that can cause pneumonia. These germs enter your body when you touch your eyes or rub the inside of your nose. Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help reduce your risk. When washing isn’t possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which can be more effective than soap and water in destroying the bacteria and viruses that cause disease. What’s more, most hand sanitizers contain ingredients that keep your skin moist. Carry one in your purse or in your pocket.

Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your lungs’ natural defenses against respiratory infections.

Proper rest and a diet. Foods rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains along with moderate exercise can help keep the immune system strong.

Protect others from infection. Try to stay away from anyone with a compromised immune system. When that isn’t possible, help protect others by wearing a face mask and always coughing into a tissue.

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