Phenomena Sickness

Phenomena Sickness

Everyone coughs from time to time, but if you have a cough that produces yellow or green mucus and also causes you to have a fever, chills and shortness of breath, you may have pneumonia.

Pneumonia is caused by a bacteria or virus that inflames your air sacs (alveoli). This leads to your lungs filling with fluid and pus (purulent material) which can make breathing difficult.

Bacteria and viruses are the most common culprits, but you can also get pneumonia from fungi and by aspiration, which is when you inhale particles (such as food, saliva or liquids) into your lungs that cause irritation and swelling.

The best way to prevent pneumonia is to stay healthy, keep your immune system strong and get vaccinated against the illnesses that lead to it.

Most people recover from pneumonia on their own, but you may have to take special precautions if you have certain health conditions or have had other serious medical problems in the past.

Top tips for prevention include staying home and taking lots of rest if you are sick. This will help you get better more quickly.

UPMC Western Maryland is committed to making sure you have the right tools to prevent and treat the many different types of pneumonia. Personal Alarms If you have questions, call us or contact your primary care provider today.

One last word of caution: If you are diagnosed with pneumonia, you can be hospitalized. If your doctor determines that you need to be treated in a hospital, you may have to get a chest X-ray and receive antibiotics intravenously (through an IV).

The best way to avoid getting pneumonia is to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid others who are sick with it and keep your immune system strong by getting vaccinated against the illnesses that lead you down that path.