The Best Ways to Diagnose Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung condition that when left untreated leads to serious complications such as respiratory failure, sepsis, lung abscess and bacteremia. This condition can be extremely dangerous to young children and adults over the age of 65, which is why understanding the condition can help avoid complications associated with it.

 

This blog explores the best ways to diagnose pneumonia, providing information on the important tests and approaches needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Understanding Pneumonia?

An infection of the lungs caused by several pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, or fungi, is known as pneumonia. It can result in fluid or pus buildup in the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia is typically more severe, while viral pneumonia often clears up on its own. Pneumonia can affect one lung or both, and when both are involved, it is known as bilateral or double pneumonia.

What Are the Pneumonia Symptoms? 

1. Cough that may produce mucus (phlegm)
2. Fever
3. Sweating or chills
4. Shortness of breath, either during normal activities or at rest
5. Chest pain that intensifies when coughing or breathing
6. Fatigue or feelings of tiredness
7. Loss of appetite
8. Nausea or vomiting
9. Headaches

 

Other symptoms based on age and health:

 

● Infants may have no symptoms but could vomit, lack energy, or struggle with eating or drinking.
● Children under five may breathe quickly or experience wheezing.
● Older adults may experience milder symptoms, confusion, or a lower-than-normal body temperature.

What Are the Types of Pneumonia?

1. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

 

Pneumonia contracted outside of a hospital or other institutional setting is referred to as CAP

Causes:

 

● Bacteria
● Viruses (Cold, flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).)
● Fungi
● Protozoa

 

2. Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

 

This particular kind of pneumonia is contracted when a patient is in the hospital. The bacteria is more resistant to antibiotics than in other varieties, making it potentially more dangerous.

 

Causes:

 

● Treatment for it is more challenging because methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria are the cause.
● The risk of HAP increases due to weakened immunity, invasive procedures, or extended hospital stays.
● HAP results in a more severe infection than community-acquired pneumonia. They need more intensive or advanced treatments since they frequently involve drug-resistant bacteria.

 

3. Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)

 

HCAP is pneumonia contracted in healthcare environments outside of hospitals, such as long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes) or extended-stay clinics.

 

Cause:

 

● Like HAP, this type of pneumonia is usually caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can make it more severe and difficult to treat.
● Patients in these environments are often elderly or have chronic health conditions, increasing their risk of infection.

 

4. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP):

 

VAP develops in patients who are on a ventilator, often in an intensive care unit (ICU), to help them breathe.

 

Causes:

 

● It is caused by bacteria, both those that are also involved in community-acquired pneumonia and drug-resistant bacteria found in hospitals.
● Because patients on ventilators have compromised respiratory functions and are often critically ill, VAP can be particularly dangerous.
● The use of a ventilator increases the risk of bacteria entering the lungs through the breathing tube, leading to infection.

How is Pneumonia Diagnosed? 

To diagnose pneumonia, a doctor first examines the patient physically and reviews their medical history. Then, using a stethoscope, the doctor listens for breath sounds pneumonia, such as abnormal bubbling or crackling, which can indicate an infection in the lungs.

 

1. Blood tests for pneumonia: These confirm the presence of an infection and attempt to identify the organism causing it, though precise identification is not always possible.
2. Chest X Ray for pneumonia: This helps confirm pneumonia and shows the extent and location of the infection, but it doesn’t reveal the specific germ responsible.
3. Pulse oximetry: This measures oxygen levels in the blood, as pneumonia can hinder oxygen flow to the bloodstream.
4. Sputum test: A sample of sputum, or lung fluid, is taken out of the lungs and studied in order to determine the cause of the infection.

 

Additional tests for hospitalised patients, elderly individuals, or those with severe symptoms could be:

 

1. CT scan: This scan provides a more thorough image of the lungs and is recommended if pneumonia isn’t improving.
2. Pleural fluid culture: A sample of fluid from the pleural space (between the lungs and ribs) is analysed to determine the type of infection.

 

Pneumonia diagnosis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging, laboratory tests, and sometimes more invasive procedures. It takes an early diagnosis to start the right course of treatment and avoid problems.

 

Consult with a doctor for early diagnosis and book a diagnosis test for pneumonia with Dr Lal PathLabs

FAQS 

1. What are the diagnosis tests for pneumonia?

Pneumonia is diagnosed through various tests, including a physical exam, chest X-ray, blood tests, sputum test, pulse oximetry, and sometimes advanced tests like a CT scan or pleural fluid culture for severe cases.

2. What additional pneumonia tests for severe cases?

For severe cases or in hospitalised patients, doctors may perform a CT scan to get a more detailed view of the lungs or a pleural fluid culture to identify the infection.