

|
The most common mechanism by which the lung is inoculated with pathogenic organisms is through microaspiration of oropharyngeal contents, a process that occurs in otherwise healthy individuals during sleep ( Chapter 82 ). Colonization of the oral pharynx with pathogenic organisms, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae ( Chapter 303 ), can thereby lead to delivery of sufficient quantities of organisms to infect the lung.
|
|
|
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung, and can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
|
![]() |
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States.Bacterial pneumonias tend to be the ...
|
|
Detailed information on pneumonia, including different types, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Introduction Pneumonia has been recognized as a disease entity since remote times, with definitions of the condition traceable in ancient Greek, Roman, and Arabic writings. Definitive recognition of the etiologic role of microorganisms in pneumonia, and the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most common causative agent was only achieved roughly 120 years ago.
|
|
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection. It's caused by germs, such as bacteria and viruses, and by certain types of fungi. Some people come in contact with pneumonia germs in the course of daily life, such as at school, work, or the gym. But others become infected during a stay in a hospital or long-term care facility. Though pneumonia can be dangerous for anyone, it's a special concern for people in healthcare settings. This sheet tells you more about healthcare-associated pneumonia and what hospitals are doing to control it.
|
|
Detailed information on pneumonia, types of pneumonia, diagnoses of pneumonia, pneumonia treatment
|
|
The actual incidence of pneumonia in ambulatory patients is difficult to estimate because the etiologic agent is rarely identified except in clinical trials, and CAP is not currently considered a reportable disease. Each year in the United States there are 2 to 3 million cases of CAP.
|
|
The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of pneumococcal pneumonia and was adapted by materials published by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the CDC.
|
|
While pneumonia is still a serious illness, flu shots and the pneumococcal vaccine may help protect against it, particularly for older people or those at high risk of infection.
|
|
|
Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lung that impairs breathing. Small air sacs in the lung(alveoli) become filled with pus, mucus or other fluid, and cannot supply oxygen to circulating blood.
|
|
Pneumocystis pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs primarily in people with weakened immune systems—especially people who are HIV-positive. The disease agent is an organism whose biological classification is still uncertain.
|
|
Pneumococcal pneumonia is a common but serious infection and inflammation of the lungs. It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.The gram-positive, spherical bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is the cause of many human diseases, in...
|
|
Eosinophilic pneumonia is a group of diseases in which there is an above normal number of eosinophils in the lungs and blood.Eosinophilia is an increase in the number of eosinophils. Eosinophilic pneumonia is characterized by a large number of eos...
|
|
Chlamydial pneumonia refers to one of several types of pneumonia that can be caused by various types of the bacteria known as Chlamydia.Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. The air sacs(alveoli) and/or the tissues of the lungs become swollen, a...
|
|
|
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It results in an inflammatory response within the small air spaces of the...
|
|
One of the most common pulmonary complications affecting cancer patients, pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening inflammation of one or both lungs.Serious side effects in cancer patients most often occur in the lungs and may indicate that the...
|
|
|
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections. These include bacteria, amoebae, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
|
|
Pneumonia is a term that means lung infection. Though most children are able to get better at home with treatment from their doctor, pneumonia can be very serious and can require hospitalization.
|
|
I have a relatively rare lung condition called organizing pneumonia. I understand the treatment will be large doses of corticosteroids. How are they administered for this condition?
|
|
There is growing evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease and pneumonia. Hospital patients on ventilators seem particularly vulnerable to pneumonia infections.
|
|
I understand that there are several different types of pneumonia. Which ones does the vaccine cover?
|
|
Those most at risk for pneumonia include the elderly, smokers, and people with chronic lung diseases.
|
|
Is pneumonia contagious?
Anthony Komaroff, M.D., is professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Komaroff also is senior physician and was formerly director of the Division of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Komaroff has served on various advisory committees to the federal government, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
|
|
Bacteremia is an invasion of the bloodstream by bacteria.Bacteremia occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream. This may occur through a wound or infection, or through a surgical procedure or injection.
|
|
Children are most commonly burned by scalding liquids in the kitchen or bathroom. Fire is the second most common cause of burns.Burns are classified as first, second, or third-degree according to their severity.First-degree burns damage only the o...
|
![]() |
burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.
|
|
Detailed information on burns, burn types, classification of burns, burn treatment, and burn rehabilitation
|
|
|
Burns are injuries to tissues that are caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.Burns are characterized by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree burn causes redness and swelling in the outermost l...
|
![]() |
What is the difference between first-, second-, and third-degree burns?First-degree burns involve red skin, mild swelling, and some pain.
|
|
Detailed information on burns, burn types, classification of burns, and burn treatment
|
|
Detailed information on burns, burn types, classification of burns, and burn treatment
|
|
Detailed information on the most common types of burns, including thermal, radiation, chemical, and electrical
|
|
Detailed information on burns, burn types, classification of burns, and burn treatment
|
|
|
Burns are injuries to the tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals. Such injuries cause the breakdown of body proteins, death of cells, loss of body fluids, and edema.Burns vary depending on the cause, the intensity, ...
|
|
Detailed information on chemical burns Chemical burns can occur when strong acids or alkalies come in contact with the skin and/or the eyes.
|
|
Statistical information relating to burn injury According to the latest data available from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, consider the following statistics:
|
|
Detailed information on chemical burns of the eye, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on a heat-induced or thermal burn A heat-induced or thermal burn can occur when the skin comes in contact with any heat source, such as a cooking pan, an iron, a fire, a hot surface or a hot, scalding liquid.
|
|
Detailed information on electrical burns Electrical burns occur when there is contact with an electricity, either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).
|
|
Detailed information on chemical burns of the eye, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on the classification and treatment of burns Burns are classified as first-, second-, or third-degree, depending on how deep and severe they penetrate the skin's surface.
|
|
|
Burns are injuries to tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.Burns are characterized by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree burn causes.
|
|
Statistical information relating to burn injury According to the latest data available from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), consider the following statistics:
|
|
Glossary of terms relating to burns [back to top] [back to top] [back to top] chemical burns - burns due to strong acids or alkalies coming into contact with the skin and/or eyes.
|
|
List of online resources to find additional information on burns This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child's condition.
|
|
Detailed information on emergency treatment of a burn injury Burn injuries require emergency clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are several different types of burn injuries, for which we have provided a brief overview.
|
|
Detailed information on burns, including anatomy, classification, treatment, and prevention
|
|
|
Burns are injuries to tissues caused by heat, friction, electricity, radiation, or chemicals.
|
|
Detailed information on burns, including anatomy, classification, treatment, and prevention
|
|
Detailed information on preventing burn injuries During the last 20 years, fatalities and injuries from burns and fires have decreased significantly. This decrease can be attributed to heightened public awareness of fire prevention, as well as safer manufacturing of many consumer products.
|
|
Detailed information on third-degree burns, including causes, symptoms, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on first-degree burns, including causes, symptoms, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information on second-degree burns, including causes, symptoms, and treatment
|
|
Detailed information for helping your child if he/she has difficulty adjusting following a burn injury
|
|
Detailed information on nutrition and burns A child who has been burned needs a diet higher in calories and proteins to help him/her heal and grow. Your child may have an intravenous (IV) for extra fluids when he/she first comes to the hospital. When your child is more alert and is feeling better, he/she can start to eat.
|
|
Should a burn be covered with a band-aid or other bandage?
Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.
|
![]() |
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by many different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.This article discusses describes pneumonia that occurs in a person whose ability to fight infection is greatly reduced because their i...
|
|
You have either undergone a procedure or been diagnosed with an illness that has made you "immunocompromised.” This means that your immune system is very weak, making it difficult to fight off infection. Certain cancers, cancer treatments, HIV infection, and transplant surgery are examples of things that can make you immunocompromised. You must be very careful—even the slightest infection can carry the risk of hospitalization or death. This sheet gives precautions you can follow to protect yourself from infection. You will need to follow them until your doctor tells you that you can stop. You may need to be careful for the rest of your life.
|
|
Immunosuppressant drugs, also called anti-rejection drugs, are used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.When an organ, such as a liver, a heart or a kidney, is transplanted from one person(the donor) into another(the recipient)...
|
|
Immunosuppressant drugs, which are also called anti-rejection drugs, are used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.When an organ, such as a liver, heart or kidney, is transplanted from one person(the donor) into another(the reci...
|