Testing signs of pneumonia

oa ♦ January 25, 2012 ♦ Comments Off

Your body’s immune system usually keeps bacteria from infecting your lungs. The diagnosis of influenza-like illness can be made based on the presenting signs of pneumonia however verification of an influenza infection requires testing. If you develop a severe respiratory illness after travel to these areas or are taking care of someone who has, contact your doctor immediately, and avoid spreading this illness to others by washing hands frequently and avoiding coughing or sneezing near others.
Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, and sometimes fungi. Some children who are immunocompromised, whether secondary to HIV infection/AIDS, an immune disorder, or chemotherapy for a malignancy, are at risk for pneumonias with opportunistic agents.