You’ve got fever, chills, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle and chest pain, and a cough with phlegm: Could you have COVID-19?
That is usually the first thing people suffering from these symptoms ask. It’s a valid question, given the ongoing pandemic, and one that can be answered by getting a negative result in an RT-PCR swab test. You could also have the flu, a condition that responds to over-the-counter medication plus plenty of rest and fluids. What about pneumonia?
If only a few will consider pneumonia, perhaps it is because they don’t know enough about the condition whose symptoms are similar to COVID-19 and the flu. It is certainly more prevalent than we think. The Department of Health (DOH) recently confirmed the surge in admissions in major hospitals all around the country—not for COVID-19 but for non-COVID cases and chronic diseases. The ailment most patients are admitted for? Pneumonia.
“Pneumonia, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs,” says Gregorio P. Ocampo, MD Head of the Section of Pulmonary Medicine of top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Our lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when we breathe. When an individual has pneumonia, the alveoli are filled with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits oxygen intake.”
Pneumonia is contagious and can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Though individuals with mild cases have been known to get better on their own, with proper rest, fluids, and prescription medication, pneumonia can also be severe and life-threatening, and may require hospitalization.
Do you think you have pneumonia? The doctor enumerates three other ways to tell:
You’ll hear it in your lungs. After noting your symptoms and medical history (particularly if you smoke or have been exposed to anyone sick lately), your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs, Dr. Ocampo explains. “Cracking, bubbling, or rumbling sounds when you breathe indicate pneumonia. This can be further confirmed with a blood test to see if you do have a bacterial infection, a sputum test to determine the cause of infection in your lungs, an x-ray to check how far the infection has spread in your lungs, and a pulse oximeter to measure how much oxygen you have in your blood.”
Seniors show other symptoms. Older people usually have weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to pneumonia, the expert points out. “Apart from the classic symptoms, seniors suspected of having pneumonia might be confused or have a decrease in sensorium,” he adds. “A loss of appetite, body weakness, lower-than-normal body temperature, urinary incontinence, and the inability to perform simple, everyday tasks are other signs to look out for in the elderly.”
Medicines don’t work. If you have been self-medicating your symptoms with over-the-counter meds but see no improvement, contact your doctor as soon as possible. “What we prescribe depends on the cause of your pneumonia,” Dr. Ocampo stresses. “Antibiotics, taken either orally or through IV, are given to patients whose pneumonia is caused by bacteria. If a patient’s pneumonia was due to a virus, antibiotics will not work; instead, we manage the symptoms with antiviral drugs, bedrest, plenty of fluids, and by continuing to monitor vital signs.”
If left untreated or not dealt with immediately, pneumonia can lead to complications, or worse, death, especially among the elderly and immunocompromised. “This is why prompt action is necessary,” he asserts. “The sooner a proper diagnosis is made, and the right medication and attention are given to the patient, the greater the chance of recovery.”
Ultimately, preventive measures protect us and our loved ones from the condition. “Make sure you, the elderly, and those with comorbidities in your family get the recommended pneumococcal vaccines, the annual flu shot, and recommended COVID-19 vaccines,” Dr. Ocampo underlines. “Practice healthy lifestyle habits like washing your hands regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sun and exercise in a day, and sleeping at least eight hours. These simple, doable habits are a big help in protecting your immune system from pneumonia and other diseases.”
For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
This is a press release distributed by Buensalido