Different types of pneumonia you need to know

Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease in Indonesia. This condition, also known as pneumonia, has various types that are differentiated based on the germs that cause it, where you get the infection, and the part of the lung that is affected. Knowing the type of pneumonia can help you get pneumonia treatment, either natural treatment or medical treatment, right or even take precautions so you don't get pneumonia.

Type of pneumonia based on where it got the infection

Based on the location of infection, pneumonia can be divided into four. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, here is the explanation:

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) or community-acquired pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs outside a hospital or other health facility. This type is one of the most common acute infections and requires hospitalization.

Community-acquired pneumonia occurs in patients who are not hospitalized. This type of pneumonia can also be obtained from outpatients who have previously — within the previous 48 hours — been admitted to the hospital.

This type of pneumonia is further divided into two, namely typical and atypical. "Typical" pneumonia can be seen on laboratory and radiological examinations, but "atypical" germs do not have such properties.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

Some people get pneumonia when they are hospitalized for other illnesses. Some special bacteria grow easily in the hospital environment, some of these bacteria can cause pneumonia. HAP can develop after 48 hours or more of being hospitalized.

This type of pneumonia can be a serious condition because the bacteria that cause it may be more resistant to antibiotics. This type of pneumonia may also be more dangerous because the affected person has been ill beforehand.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

People who use breathing machines (ventilators), which are often used in the ICU, are more at risk of developing this type of pneumonia.

Patients who are on a ventilator for more than 48 hours have a high risk of developing pneumonia.

A breath aid that is long in the airway is a good place for germs to grow, especially the bacteria that cause pneumonia.

That is why, this condition is called v entilator-associa ted pneumonia (VAP).

Health care-acquired pneumonia (HCAP)

Health care-acquired pneumonia (HCAP) or acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live or receive treatment in a health facility for a long period of time.

In contrast to hospital-acquired HAP, this type of pneumonia can also occur in those who receive care at outpatient clinics. One example is the kidney dialysis center.

HCAP can occur in patients who have had health care contacts in the past three months.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva into your lungs. This condition is more at risk if you have brain injury or problems swallowing, or if you use alcohol or illegal drugs excessively.

Types of pneumonia based on the cause

Based on the germs that cause, pneumonia is divided into four, namely:

Bacterial pneumonia

The most common causes of pneumonia of this type are Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type can occur by itself after you have a cold or flu.

Pneumonia of bacteria-like organisms

Germs or named organisms Mycoplasma pneumoniae can also cause pneumonia. The germs that cause pneumonia on this one usually produce milder symptoms than other types.

This condition is also called walking pneumonia or walking pneumonia. Usually, this type of pneumonia is not severe and only requires rest at home. Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause pleuropneumonia, which is an X-ray image in the form of white spots on the lungs.

Viral pneumonia

Some viruses that cause colds and flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children under 5 years.

Viral pneumonia is usually mild. However, in some cases, this condition can become very serious.

Mushroom

This type of pneumonia usually occurs in people with chronic health problems or a weakened immune system. This type of pneumonia can also occur in people who inhale large doses of germs.

The type of pneumonia is based on the location of the lung affected

Types of pneumonia are also differentiated based on the location or part of the lung that is infected. Apart from the bronchi (airways), bronchioles, and alveoli, the lungs are also divided into lobes. The right lung has 3 lobes (top, middle, bottom), while the left lung has 2 lobes, namely the upper and lower parts.

Bronchopneumonia

In bronchopneumonia, infection occurs in the bronchi (airways) and alveoli. In this condition, the infection can affect the lower lobe.

Lobar pneumonia

This inflammation of pneumonia can occur in any lobe. The most common cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Quoted from an article published by the US National Library of Medicine, pneumonia can also be divided into alveolar pneumonia, which is when inflammation occurs in the water sacs and the interstitial, which is when inflammation occurs between the sacs.

Double pneumonia

Double pneumonia is when the infection attacks both lungs at the same time. This means that all the lobes of the lung are infected. Even though the infected area is larger, this does not mean the condition is more severe than ordinary pneumonia.

There is no research that explains why infection can attack both lungs at the same time. However, it is generally the cause double pneumonia the same as pneumonia in one lung, namely bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Types of pneumonia based on severity

Doctors usually differentiate pneumonia based on its severity in order to provide the right treatment. That way, your doctor can also take into account the risk of pneumonia complications that you may experience.

In this case, pneumonia can be divided into mild, moderate, or severe.

Light

Pneumonia is in the category of mild and is not at risk if the patient includes:

• Are younger than 65 years
• Be aware
• Have normal blood pressure and pulse
• Not breathing too fast (less than 30 breaths per minute)
• Have enough oxygen in the blood
• Haven't been on antibiotics in the last three months
• Haven't had contact with the hospital in the last three months
• Do not have any other severe medical conditions

Patients with mild pneumonia can be treated at home and given antibiotics in tablet form.

Moderate

Signs of moderate pneumonia are:

• Drowsiness and confusion
• Low blood pressure
• Shortness of breath that gets worse
• Have other risk factors, such as age and underlying disease

People with the above mentioned pneumonia symptoms will need to be hospitalized. Some of them may be given a combination of two different antibiotics, at least at the start of treatment.

Severe

Pneumonia is categorized as severe when the heart, kidneys, or circulatory system are at risk of failure, or if the lungs can no longer take in enough oxygen.

The three types of pneumonia based on the severity above only apply to differentiating pneumonia in adults. For children, the severity is only divided into two, namely severe and not severe.