Pneumonia is a type of lung disease that causes inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli) of both the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The inflammation is usually due to pus or fluid. The disease can be caused by any pathogen, including bacteria, viruses, and even fungi. The following article mentions types of pneumonia, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Causes
As mentioned above, pneumonia can be caused due to several pathogens and environmental factors mentioned below.

• Bacterial pneumonia
  This type of pneumonia is caused due to a bacterium called streptococcus pneumonia. The bacteria can enter the body through inhalation or the bloodstream. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia include Moraxellacatarrhalis, Legionella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Neisseria Meningitidis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Viral pneumonia
  Viruses like RSV respiratory syncytial virus (SRV), influenza, and other rhinoviruses cause viral pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is milder and usually improves in a couple of weeks.
• Fungal pneumonia
  Fungi from environmental pollutants can also cause pneumonia. Some types of fungi that cause pneumonia include pneumocystis jirovecii, Cryptococcus, and histoplasmosis species.
• Hospital-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
  This type of pneumonia is contracted in the hospital due to some bacterial infection. Apart from this, a patient can also suffer from pneumonia due to being resistant to antibiotics. Patients using a ventilator at hospitals are also susceptible to suffering from pneumonia. This is called ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
• Aspiration pneumonia
  This type of pneumonia is contracted through direct accidental inhalation of bacteria through food, drink, and even saliva. Patients who are on certain medications or people under the influence of alcohol who have decreased control of throat muscles stand a higher risk of suffering from this type of pneumonia.

Symptoms
The most primary sign of pneumonia is chronic coughing caused due to excessive phlegm buildup in the lungs. As the condition worsens, the person might suffer shortness of breath, fever, sweating, chills, and chest pain that worsens upon breathing and coughing. Pneumonia can also cause fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and even headaches. Although most of these symptoms might be milder, confusion and lower than normal body temperature are also observed in some pneumonia patients. Children suffering from pneumonia may experience wheezing and fast breathing.

Diagnosis
Pneumonia is diagnosed using the following diagnostic procedures.

• Chest X-ray
  This is one of the primary methods to diagnose the lung disease. Chest x-rays help doctors find the extent of infection or fluid buildup. However, a blood test might be required to check the type of pathogen that has caused pneumonia.
• Sputum test
  Doctors might also take a sample of fluid from the deep cough from the lungs to analyze the type of pathogen, causing pneumonia symptoms. This test may be done in conjunction with a blood test to further confirm the pathogen causing infection.
• CT scans
  For patients of chronic pneumonia or who are experiencing worsening of symptoms, doctors might prescribe CT scans for a detailed image of the lungs. This can help them devise a suitable treatment plan for managing pneumonia symptoms.
• Pleural fluid culture
  This is another diagnostic test that uses fluid to determine the type of infection. A needle is inserted between ribs in the pleural area to extract the fluid.

Treatment
Mild cases of pneumonia usually last for a couple of weeks. The main aim is to manage the symptoms and prevent complications. Medicines, such as antibiotics, are typically used to treat bacterial pneumonia. Apart from this, cough medicines are given to pneumonia patients to soothe persistent coughing. This also helps in loosening the fluid from the lungs. Pain medications may also be prescribed to reduce chest pain while breathing. Apart from this, dietary changes, such as avoiding cough-triggering foods, like dairy products and oily, fatty foods, ice creams, and other cold beverages, can help better manage pneumonia.