Mobile Health

There are a number of steps you can take to help prevent getting pneumonia.

• Stop smoking. You're more likely to get pneumonia if you smoke.
• Avoid people who have infections that sometimes lead to pneumonia.
o Stay away from people who have colds, the flu, or other respiratory tract infections.
o If you haven't had measles or chickenpox or if you didn't get vaccines against these diseases, avoid people who have them.
• Wash your hands often. This helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that may cause pneumonia.

VACCINATIONS

Children get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) as a routine vaccination. Two different pneumococcal shots are recommended for people ages 65 and older. Some people who have long-term (chronic) conditions also need the pneumococcal vaccine.

Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community - acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication. Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more.

Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia, your age and your overall health. The options include the following:

• Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic.
• Cough medicine. This medicine may be used to calm your cough so that you can rest. Because coughing helps loosen and move fluid from your lungs, it's a good idea not to eliminate your cough completely. In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the-counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest.
• Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort.

Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds that suggest pneumonia.
If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend the following tests:

• Blood tests. Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible.
• Chest X-ray. This helps your doctor diagnose pneumonia and determine the extent and location of the infection. However, it can't tell your doctor what kind of germ is causing the pneumonia.
• Pulse oximetry. This measures the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream.
• Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection.
Your doctor might order additional tests if you're older than age 65, are in the hospital, or have serious symptoms or health conditions. These may include:
• CT scan. If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs.
• Pleural fluid culture. A fluid sample is taken by putting a needle between your ribs from the pleural area and analyzed to help determine the type of infection.

Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. The severity of your pneumonia usually depends on:

 • the cause of your inflammation
 • the type of organism causing your infection
 • your age
 • your general health

The general symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop quickly over a short period of time and may include:

 • chest pain
 • shaking chills
 • fever
 • dry cough
 • wheezing
 • muscle aches
 • nausea
 • vomiting
 • rapid breathing
 • rapid heartbeat
 • difficulty breathing

Some symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms:

 • skin with bluish tone (from lack of oxygen)
 • blood in sputum (coughed-up mucus)
 • labored breathing
 • high fever (102.5°F or higher)
 • confusion
 • rapid heartbeat
In the symptoms of severe pneumonia, in the case of children under 5 years’ present chest subsidence at the moment of breath, with the presence of rapid breathing.

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. It can be caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Pneumonia causes inflammation in your lung’s air sacs, or alveoli. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult and painful to breathe.

Types and causes of pneumonia

There are five major types of pneumonia. They are:

· Bacterial Pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia can affect anyone at any age. It can develop on its own or after a serious cold or flu. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial pneumonia can also be caused by Chlamydophila pneumonia or Legionella pneumophila. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is sometimes seen in those who have weak immune systems due to illnesses like AIDS or cancer.

· Viral Pneumonia

In most cases, respiratory viruses can cause pneumonia, especially in young children and the elderly. Pneumonia is usually not serious and lasts a short time. However, the flu virus can cause viral pneumonia to be severe or fatal. It’s especially harmful to pregnant women or individuals with heart or lung issues. Invading bacteria can cause complications with viral pneumonia.

· Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Mycoplasma organisms are not viruses or bacteria, but they have traits common to both. They are the smallest agents of disease that affect humans. Mycoplasmas generally cause mild cases of pneumonia, most often in older children and young adults.

· Other Types of Pneumonia

Many additional types of pneumonia affect immune-compromised individuals. Tuberculosis and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) generally affect people with suppressed immune systems, such as those who have AIDS. In fact, PCP can be one of the first signs of illness in people with AIDS.

Less common types of pneumonia can also be serious. Pneumonia can be caused by inhaling food, dust, liquid, or gas as well as by various fungi.

Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several months to even years after becoming infected. Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually 2-6 weeks after catching the virus.

The symptoms of early HIV infection may include:

· fever

· chills

· joint pain

· muscle aches

· sore throat

· sweats (particularly at night)

· enlarged glands

· a red rash

· tiredness

· weakness

· unintentional weight loss

To prevent being infected with HIV, healthcare professional’s advice precautions related to:

1. Unprotected sex - having sex without a condom can put a person at risk of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV can be spread by having unprotected sex (vaginal, oral, and/or anal sex). It can also be caught from sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV. Condoms should be used with every sexual act.

2. Drug abuse and needle sharing - intravenous drug use is an important factor in HIV transmission in developed countries. Sharing needles can expose users to HIV and other viruses, such as hepatitis C. Strategies such as needle-exchange programs are used to reduce the infections caused by drug abuse. If someone needs to use a needle, it must be a clean, unused, unshared needle.

3. Body fluid exposure - exposure to HIV can be controlled by employing precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminated blood. At all times, healthcare workers should use barriers (gloves, masks, protective eyewear, shields, and gowns). Frequent and thorough washing of the skin immediately after being contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids can reduce the chance of infection.

4. Pregnancy - some ARVs can harm the unborn child. But an effective treatment plan can prevent HIV transmission from mother to baby. Precautions have to be taken to protect the baby's health. Delivery through caesarean section may be necessary. HIV-infected mothers should not breastfeed.

5. Education - health education is an important factor in reducing risky behavior.

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. Treatments can slow the course of the condition - and allow most infected people the opportunity to live a long and relatively healthy life.

Earlier HIV antiretroviral treatment is crucial it improves quality of life with drugs such as Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), Protease inhibitors (PIs), Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs), Fusion inhibitors (FIs) and Chemokine receptor antagonists (CCR5 antagonists). The retroviral extend life expectancy, and reduce the risk of transmission.

Currently, there is no vaccine or cure for HIV, but treatments have evolved which are much more effective and better tolerated - they can improve patients' general health and quality of life considerably, in as little as one pill per day.

Emergency HIV pills (post-exposure prophylaxis)

If an individual believes they have been exposed to the virus within the last 72 hours (3 days), anti-HIV medications, called PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) may stop infection. The treatment should be taken as soon as possible after contact with the virus.

PEP is a very demanding treatment lasting 4 weeks, a total of 28 days. It can be associated with unpleasant side effects (diarrhea, nausea, and headache).

After a positive HIV diagnosis, regular blood tests are necessary to monitor the progress of the virus before starting treatment. The therapy is designed to reduce the level of HIV in the blood, which has many benefits. Antiretroviral drugs

HIV is treated with antiretrovirals (ARVs). The treatment fights the HIV infection and slows down the spread of the virus in the body. Generally, patients take a combination of medications called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) or CART (combination antiretroviral therapy).

The combination of drugs is adapted to each individual. HIV treatment is usually permanent and lifelong. HIV treatment is based on routine dosage. Pills must be taken on a regular schedule, every time. Each class of ARVs has different side effects, but some possible common side effects may include nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, headache, skin rashes, or moodiness.

Complementary or alternative medicine

Although widely used, alternative pr complementary medications, such as herbal ones, have not been proven to be effective. According to some limited studies, mineral or vitamin supplements may provide some benefits in overall health. Patients are urged to discuss these options with their providers especially because some of these options, even vitamin supplements, may have drug interactions with ARVs.