Pneumonia is an inflammation or infection of the lung tissue. Young children and the elderly are most often affected, and most often in the winter. The severity varies greatly from a mild cold to the need for hospitalization.
Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites, or if you are unlucky enough to breathe something into your lungs, this can also cause inflammation.
Book an appointmentPneumonia can be caused by
The most common cause is the bacteria pneumococci or Hemophilus influenza.
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The picture of the disease can vary from person to person, but typically one experiences
Some groups are more prone than others to getting pneumonia, and factors that increase the risk of an infection are:
“Typical” pneumonia
Typical pneumonia is an infection with pneumococcal bacteria and gives typical symptoms of pneumonia such as cough, fever, heavy breathing and general malaise. Pneumococcal pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. There is a vaccine against this infection, which is recommended for those over 65 and those who are seriously or chronically ill. The vaccine is reserved for these groups.
"Atypical" pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, also called "silent pneumonia" or "pneumonia without fever". This is an infection with the lung bacterium mycoplasma or chlamydia and often gives slightly different symptoms that develop more slowly than with 'typical' pneumonia. The symptoms usually creep in over several days, and you are often bothered by headaches, sore throats, prolonged cough, low fever and general malaise.
The doctor who examines you will measure how fast you breathe, listen over your lungs to hear if there are any "crackling sounds", which are typical of pneumonia. The temperature is measured, and a rapid test for infection in the body (CRP) will also be measured. This is done by a small prick in the finger to collect some blood for analysis. It will also measure how well your body absorbs oxygen via a small clamp on a finger.
If the doctor suspects an infection, you are welcome to take a deep nose sample. This can be a little uncomfortable as the test strip needs to go deep into the nose but will not hurt. The sample is sent to the laboratory for examination of viruses and bacteria, and you usually get an answer within 2-4 days.
If there is a suspicion of another lung disease, it may be relevant to refer to an X-ray to have a picture taken.
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Most can be treated at home, only those who are very ill need to be admitted to a hospital for treatment. If the doctor suspects that bacteria is the cause, you start with a course of antibiotics.
If a virus is suspected, there are no antibiotics for this, but symptom relief is in the form of ibux and paracetamol for fever and pain. Possibly cough suppressant oral solution if you are bothered by a lot of cough and throat lozenges.
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If you feel unwell over several days with fever, cough, body aches, headaches, etc., then it is wise to take a check.
Most respiratory infections are caused by viruses and go away on their own, but if you have bacterial pneumonia, a course of antibiotics will be needed.
The GPs at Dr. Dropin have good experience with respiratory infections and will be able to take the tests and samples needed to find out if you have pneumonia and if you need antibiotics.
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Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, usually by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection, usually by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections, while viral pneumonia is caused by viral infections.
Bacterial pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections, while viral pneumonia is caused by viral infections.
Common symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue.
Common symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue.
Pneumonia can be diagnosed by physical examination, blood test, nose swab test and possibly X-ray of the lungs.
Pneumonia can be diagnosed by physical examination, blood test, nose swab test and possibly X-ray of the lungs.
Treatment depends on the cause, but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, cough medicine, and rest.
Treatment depends on the cause, but may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, cough medicine, and rest.
Yes, pneumonia can be contagious, especially in cases caused by bacteria or viruses.
Yes, pneumonia can be contagious, especially in cases caused by bacteria or viruses.
Risk factors include age (young children and the elderly), weakened immune systems, smoking, chronic lung disease, and exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.
Risk factors include age (young children and the elderly), weakened immune systems, smoking, chronic lung disease, and exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.
Prevention includes vaccination, good hand hygiene, avoiding smoking and exposure to infection, and maintaining a strong immune system.
Prevention includes vaccination, good hand hygiene, avoiding smoking and exposure to infection, and maintaining a strong immune system.
Pneumonia involves an infection of the lungs, while bronchitis involves an inflammation of the bronchi.
Pneumonia involves an infection of the lungs, while bronchitis involves an inflammation of the bronchi.
Yes, pneumonia can affect people of all ages, including children.
Yes, pneumonia can affect people of all ages, including children.
Complications can include breathing problems, lung abscess, sepsis and in severe cases, death.
Complications can include breathing problems, lung abscess, sepsis and in severe cases, death.
Recovery time varies, but it can take several weeks to fully recover from pneumonia.
Recovery time varies, but it can take several weeks to fully recover from pneumonia.
Smoking weakens the lungs and increases the risk of developing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Smoking weakens the lungs and increases the risk of developing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.
Ja, det inkluderer å ta medisiner som foreskrevet, hvile, drikke mye væske, og oppsøke lege hvis tilstanden forverres.
Ja, det inkluderer å ta medisiner som foreskrevet, hvile, drikke mye væske, og oppsøke lege hvis tilstanden forverres.
Yes, there is a vaccine against the H. influenza bacteria. The vaccine is part of the childhood vaccination programme. There is also a vaccine against the lung bacteria pneumococcus, but as most people tolerate an infection with this bacterium well, the vaccine is reserved for those with a weakened immune system and those over 65.
Yes, there is a vaccine against the H. influenza bacteria. The vaccine is part of the childhood vaccination programme. There is also a vaccine against the lung bacteria pneumococcus, but as most people tolerate an infection with this bacterium well, the vaccine is reserved for those with a weakened immune system and those over 65.
It is important to practice good hand hygiene to avoid getting infected, as well as to avoid touching your face. Other measures are not to smoke, as this increases the risk of infection and increases the risk of a more complicated and serious course of the disease.
It is important to practice good hand hygiene to avoid getting infected, as well as to avoid touching your face. Other measures are not to smoke, as this increases the risk of infection and increases the risk of a more complicated and serious course of the disease.
In the vast majority of people, pneumonia goes very well, but if you are e.g. If you already have lung disease, you are more susceptible to serious illness. If you become very ill from pneumonia, you are admitted to hospital for treatment, and in Norway we have good forecasts for hospital treatment.
In the vast majority of people, pneumonia goes very well, but if you are e.g. If you already have lung disease, you are more susceptible to serious illness. If you become very ill from pneumonia, you are admitted to hospital for treatment, and in Norway we have good forecasts for hospital treatment.
One does not become immune to pneumonia in itself. But if you have had pneumonia caused by a virus, you become immune to this virus. But as there are different microorganisms that can cause pneumonia, you can still get pneumonia repeatedly.
One does not become immune to pneumonia in itself. But if you have had pneumonia caused by a virus, you become immune to this virus. But as there are different microorganisms that can cause pneumonia, you can still get pneumonia repeatedly.
Authoer: Lege Martine Hallin Henriksen
Last updated: 22.06.2022
Hunskår, S., (2017), Allmennmedisin, utgave 3, Oslo: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, s 534-536
Norsk Elektronisk Legehåndbok, (2020), Lungebetennelse, (online), tilgjengelig fra: https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/lunger/tilstander-og-sykdommer/infeksjoner/lungebetennelse/, hentet den 21.07.2020
