Pneumonia is caused due to an infection in the lungs that is primarily caused due to the accumulation of bacteria or fungi. Pneumonia at an initial stage is mild, but if no action is taken, it can be risky for one’s life. Mostly, children, as well as adults who have a very weak immune system, are likely to be affected by pneumonia.

A person suffering from pneumonia usually experiences a higher body temperature that ranges between 100 ° F to 103 ° F. This might seem normal, but when this temperature is persistent, it is necessary to consult a doctor.  Pneumonia is contagious and the conditions of a person with pneumonia vary depending on the age and the type of virus that has affected the body.

Various root causes of pneumonia

• Community-based pneumonia is caused by the spread of bacteria from hospitals and nursing homes, but this type of pneumonia can be cured with proper antibiotics.
• Viral fevers are transferable and when one person in the community gets it, the whole community is likely to be affected.
• There are two types of fungi which cause fungal infections and thereby lead to pneumonia—opportunistic and endemic fungi. Fungal infections can harm the lungs drastically.

Symptoms of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia depend on the type of the virus. Initially a mild cough and cold can lead to pneumonia if not treated well in time. Newborn babies are mostly affected by pneumonia and the only symptoms seen are a cough and cold, blockage of the nose, respiratory problems, etc. One of the most commonly noticed symptoms in babies is their fingertips turning a pale blue color.

Understanding whether someone has been affected by pneumonia-causing germs is tough because it is very tricky. For example, a person may have a temperature which could reduce after taking a medicine but it reoccurs after a few hours. Therefore, concluding a diagnosis whether it’s a mild fever or the development of pneumonia could be really difficult.

Treatment and prevention options for pneumonia
The best treatment is to get vaccinated at the right time to prevent pneumonia-causing germs from entering the body. Hygiene is a must because bacteria usually originate in unhygienic areas. Therefore, keeping one as well as one’s surrounding clean is important so as to prevent the onset of pneumonia.

Quitting the habit of smoking can also help in preventing pneumonia. Last but not the least, it is always advisable to build a strong immune system that can fight all bacteria-causing germs from entering the body. Exercising daily and maintaining a healthy diet along with drinking of plenty of water and fluids is also essential to prevent pneumonia.

When one notices the symptoms of pneumonia, it is of utmost importance to consult a doctor at the earliest. One should get timely and effective treatment as it could stop the symptoms from progressing and causing life-threatening conditions for the patient.