We’ve compiled a littany of facts surrounding the disease, and hope to inform you in ways other online articles have failed.
Pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory infections today. The main reason this infection is so common
is due to how easily it can spread. Causation
is credited to bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
The most common symptoms are cough, fever and trouble breathing. It is not uncommon for pneumonia to be
mistaken for the common cold due to its symptoms. Pneumonia is a highly manageable condition
but treatment varies depending on cause, and the stage of the condition in
which the doctor diagnosed it. This is
why it is so important to not hesitate visiting your doctor when recognizing
symptoms.
But what can a doctor do for Pneumonia?
In order to diagnose it, the doctor will perform a physical exam and ask
you about your medical history. A chestX-ray is usually performed as well. The
X-ray will provide a chance to look for any changes in the lungs and to check
for any other potential causes. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your age and medical history,
the doctor may decide to perform an arterial blood gas test. In the case of severe symptoms, a doctor will
perform a test to inspect the present mucus. There are many other tests available to determine the presence of
symptoms and their respective causes.
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As mentioned before, pneumonia is a highly treatable condition. But the type of the treatment depends on
present symptoms as well as the cause for their presence. The most common type is bacterial pneumonia,
and is usually treated using antibiotics. Depending on age and specific symptoms, your doctor will prescribe
proper antibiotics to treat your condition. During treatment the doctor will want to track your condition,
performing tests in order to determine the quality of your recovery time. The doctor may decide to make adjustments to
the dose, or to the treatment itself. The doctor may decide to discontinue treatment with certain medications
if serious side effects worsen, or your condition does not improve. In order to decrease your body temperature,
the doctor will prescribe ibuprofen or paracetamol. Remember to inform your doctor about any
allergic reactions you have to certain medications, prescribed or over-the-counter. The doctor may also advise you to choose from
a variety of available home remedies for tertiary treatment. Pneumonia requires
plenty of rest and fluids to ensure full recovery. If severe symptoms are present, a doctor may
ask you to remain in the hospital for a complete observation and evaluation.
Pneumonia is a highly manageable disease when properly recognized, and
diagnosed. It is important to understand
the differences in symptom severity, and how to approach the situation moving
forward. Collaborating with your doctor
early and often is generally the best way to prevent major complications with
pneumonia and other diseases.
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