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Misdiagnosed Bacterial Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation and/or infection of the lungs, often caused by a virus, bacteria or a foreign substance. Pneumonia occurs when the sacs in the lungs fill with fluid, mucus or pus, that prevent the lungs from functioning normally. This causes the rest of the body to suffer a lack of oxygen.

One of the most common forms of pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, is often caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is also commonly known as community acquired pneumonia.

In 2005 alone, over 61,000 people died from pneumonia. Pneumonia is ranked as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Individuals at risk of pneumonia include the young, the old, and those with a compromised immune system.

Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia
Below is a list of possible symptoms of pneumonia. It's important to note that you may not necessarily experience all the symptoms listed below. Additionally, if you develop pneumonia as a complication of the flu, it is possible for your symptoms to temporarily cease before the symptoms reappear and worsens.

  • Fever
  • Chills and body aches, shivering and/or sweating
  • Chest pain and tightness when breathing, plus breathlessness
  • Shallow or rapid breathing, shortness of breath
  • Dry unproductive cough (early symptoms)
  • Productive cough (as the pneumonia progresses)
  • Cough with the presence of thick or yellowing mucus, or the presence of blood
  • Headaches, nausea and vomiting
  • Increased heart rate
  • Tiredness, lethargy or malaise

Atypical Pneumonia
Often called walking pneumonia, this form of pneumonia is very dangerous because it often goes undiagnosed for a very long time, allowing the infected individual to expose many people to the bacteria.

Diagnosing Bacterial Pneumonia
The most definitive and sensitive test for diagnosing pneumonia is a chest x-ray. In the presence of pneumonia, an x-ray will show that the air sacs in the lungs are filled with fluid or debris. Consequently, tests will be performed to identify the nature of the material in the lungs.

Other tests used to diagnose pneumonia include:

  • Pulse oximetry: a device clipped on your finger used to measure the oxygen level in your blood
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) test to determine if you have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body, or if there is bacteria present in your bloodstream
  • Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): blood is drawn directly from your artery to give an accurate measurement of how well your body is exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide
  • Your sputum may be collected for further examination and to determine the exact strain of bacteria causing the infection

With the complication of pneumonia not always presenting all the symptoms, especially if it is preceded by the flu or other malady, early symptoms of pneumonia can be overlooked and go untreated. Pneumonia has a high mortality rate and should not be taken lightly. If your symptoms worsen or if they do not improve, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

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