How Much Do You Really Know About Pneumonia?

Though pneumonia remains a pressing health issue that can lead to life-threatening illness in people of all ages, there has been little progress in terms of the disease's general education.^1,2

To understand how pneumonia affects us, we should first understand what pneumonia is. Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and fill up with fluid, which makes it difficult for oxygen to enter your bloodstream.³

With that said, let’s now take a look at how much you truly know about pneumonia, and examine the reality behind the facts and the myths of this viral infection.

Photo credit: Cottonbro

1. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses or bacteria.

True

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the air we breathe.⁴

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diseases and a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.⁵ It is acquired in communal environments rather than in a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare facilities.⁶ The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the typical bacterial pathogens that cause CAP.⁵

2. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia.

True

As of 2020, the Malaysian Department of Statistics reported pneumonia to be the second leading cause of death in both men and women.⁷

3. Having trouble breathing is a common symptom of pneumonia.

True

As the air sacs in your lungs fill up with fluid, it can cause various symptoms such as persistent coughing, fever, chills, and laboured breathing.⁸

Bacterial pneumonia can be more serious compared to the other types of pneumonia, and its symptoms can either develop gradually or suddenly.

Symptoms might include high fevers with profuse sweating, rapidly increased breathing, and a heightened heart rate.⁸ The lack of oxygen in your blood also means that certain body parts, such as your lips and nailbeds, might develop a bluish color. The reduced oxygen intake can also lead to bouts of confusion or delirium.⁸

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with a doctor as soon as possible.

4. Pneumonia may lower your body temperature, instead of a fever.

True

Symptoms of pneumonia may be different in certain populations. Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have lower than average body temperatures, or sudden changes in mental awareness.⁸

5. Bacterial pneumonia can develop after a person has had a cold or the flu.

True

Bacterial pneumonia has the ability to develop on its own, or appear after you’ve had a cold or the flu. Respiratory diseases or viral infections can put people at greater risk of getting bacterial pneumonia.⁹

Risk factors for getting bacterial pneumonia include illness, recent surgery, immunocompromised state such as people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), old age, or malnutrition. This is because when the body’s immune system is compromised, the bacteria that live in healthy throats can moves to the lungs, which then causes respiratory problems such as pneumonia and systemic infection⁹.

6. People don’t need to be hospitalised for pneumonia.

False

Severe cases of pneumonia is possible must be treated at the hospital. Patients may be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy or other breathing treatments.¹⁰

7. There are no vaccines for pneumonia.

False

There are two vaccines for pneumonia that protect against pneumococcal pneumonia. These vaccines are conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines.¹¹

While the vaccines can’t prevent every type of pneumonia, they can drastically lower your chances of contracting the disease.¹²

Photo credit: Alex Green

8. If you’ve already had pneumonia, you don’t need a vaccine for it.

False

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for adults aged 65 years and older, children under 2 years old, and adults with chronic medical conditions or other risk factors.¹¹ These include those who:

• Have chronic heart, liver, and lung diseases.
• Are cigarette smokers.
• Suffer from diabetes.
• With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

This recommendation also applies to those who have already had pneumonia before.¹³

9. Pneumonia vaccines can cause pneumonia.

False

You cannot get pneumonia from the vaccine, as the shots only contain an extract of the pneumonia bacteria and not the actual bacteria which causes the illness.

Fewer than 1% of people who get the pneumonia vaccine experience mild side effects from the vaccine. These include swelling, soreness, or redness on the site of the vaccination, mild fever, fussiness or irritability, a loss of appetite, and sore muscles.¹²

10. Only people above the age of 65 should get the vaccine.

False

Anybody can get pneumococcal disease, but some people have a higher risk of getting infected or suffering from complications than others¹⁴. These include:

• Anyone under the age of 2 years old.
• Those with chronic diseases such as chronic heart, liver and lung diseases.
• Those who live in long-term care facilities.
• Tobacco smokers.

Now, what’s next?

Now that you’ve gotten the facts about pneumonia, be sure to prioritise your health and wellbeing by finding the right immunisation plan for you, so you can protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia¹⁵.

For more information on pneumococcal vaccinations, or if you’re experiencing any symptoms listed above, reach out to a healthcare professional and book a doctor consultation today.

References:​

1. Pneumonia is a major threat to public health – why don't we acknowledge the fact? | https://tinyurl.com/2p8833ym | Accessed on 8 March 2022
2. Pneumonia | https://tinyurl.com/34nedt9d | Accessed on 8 March 2022
3. Learn About Pneumonia | https://tinyurl.com/ujbzd8uy | Accessed on 8 March 2022
4. What Causes Pneumonia? | https://tinyurl.com/2p9ye4vb | Accessed on 8 March 2022
5. Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) | https://tinyurl.com/ye7jecmt | Accessed on 8 March 2022
6. Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults | https://tinyurl.com/2p8974kb | Accessed on 8 March 2022
7. Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2021 | https://tinyurl.com/ycs2t8kr | Accessed on 8 March 2022
8. Pneumonia Symptoms and Diagnosis | https://tinyurl.com/2p89a7d8 | Accessed on 8 March 2022
9. Pneumonia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) | https://tinyurl.com/yeaytk7m | Accessed on 8 March 2022
10. Pneumonia Treatment and Recovery | https://tinyurl.com/r99ddwyr | Accessed on 8 March 2022
11. Pneumococcal Vaccination: Who and When to Vaccinate. | https://tinyurl.com/2p896enb | Accessed on 8 March 2022
12. Kelli Miller. Pneumonia Vaccine: Should I Get It? | https://tinyurl.com/4kkanujt | Accessed on 8 March 2022
13. Pneumonia Vaccine Quiz | https://tinyurl.com/5n8s3u8n | Accessed on 8 March 2022
14. Pneumococcal disease: Causes, how it spreads, and symptoms | https://tinyurl.com/3mpjuctm | Accessed on 8 March 2022
15. Arm Yourself, Doctor On Call | https://tinyurl.com/2ajfd6ym | Accessed on 6 April 2022

Disclaimer:

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

For Pfizer terms of use click here: Terms of Use | Pfizer – Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives

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