Pneumonia is a type of lung, or respiratory, an infection that begins with an innocent cough, but then turns into a sudden high fever with labored breathing. It is usually caused by a virus or bacteria.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is spread by infected people who carry the germs in fluid droplets in their throats, noses, or mouths. The infected person coughs the germs into the air. one breathes in the germs or comes in direct contact with the infected person’s saliva or mucous by touching something. It is possible to catch pneumonia from someone who does not know he is sick.
Bacterial pneumonia and viral pneumonia are contagious. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets in the air can pass it on to others. The flu is highly contagious and can be a precursor to pneumonia.
Other forms of pneumonia are less contagious to healthy individuals or not contagious at all.
Symptoms:
Cough
Fever
Chills
Labored Breathing
Chest Pain
Increased Heart Rate
Fatigue
Nausea
Diarrhea
Bloody Mucus
Sweating / Low Body Temperature
Who is at risk?
People with a weaker immune system, whether because of age, illness or disease.
Babies, infants, and seniors.
Smokers
Heavy drinkers
People with other health conditions, including cancer, long-term heart, lung and kidney diseases, and diabetes are also at increased risk
Treatment:
For most people, pneumonia is treatable with prescription medication (e.g., antibiotics), with all symptoms vanishing in a few weeks. However, for babies, seniors, and those with other medical conditions, pneumonia can mean hospitalization with serious symptoms.
There are ways to lower your risk of getting pneumonia. They include:
Vaccines: First off, getting the flu shot is key to preventing pneumonia. There are also vaccines that protect against many types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for infants, young children, adults over 65, and some other people at risk for pneumococcal disease.
Clinica Medica Familiar is a family medicine practice that is offering Covid vaccines in our three locations: Magnolia, Mead Valley, and Montclair. Please call us at 855-505-7467 to schedule you today or visit our website https://www.clinicamedicafamiliardrrios.com/booking-calendar
In order to help stop the spread of the flu, Clinica Medica Familiar is NOW offering Telemedicine (Telehealth/video call) and Flu Shots. Please call us at 855-505-7467 to learn more about these amazing services and bilingual providers, we are now providing services throughout Corona, Montclair, Riverside, Perris, Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, and Indio.