5 Common Illnesses Leading To Pneumonia

by Dr Tarun Kumar Baid Consultant Pulmonary Medicine, Asthma, Allergy & C

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by certain types of fungi, viruses, or bacteria. It can cause pus and inflammation in the lung tissues. If you’re suffering from pneumonia then you may experience certain symptoms such as high fever, shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, dry cough, and muscle pain.

You must consider the fact that pneumonia is not a contagious disease but the virus and bacteria causing the illness can be contagious. If you’re suffering from any seasonal allergy then you must visit an allergy clinic in Siliguri since allergic reactions may increase the chances of getting affected by pneumonia.

Here are some of the common illnesses that increase the risks of getting acquired with pneumonia.

1. COVID-19

People suffering from COVID-19 have higher risks of getting affected by pneumonia. It is a health condition caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can influence severe respiratory illnesses and viral pneumonia.

Fever, chills, sore throat, nose congestion, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches are some of the symptoms of COVID-19. If this illness is not treated properly then the immune system will attack the virus causing the disease, which may fill the lungs with fluid. This can increase breathing issues and chances of developing pneumonia.

2. Common Cold

Pneumonia can also be caused if the common cold caused by rhinovirus is not treated. The common cold is a viral infection that infects the windpipe, nose, sinuses, and throat. It can also spread easily in the surroundings through the air.

Some of the symptoms of this disease are sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite, irritability, swollen glands, and cough. You may consult with a pulmonologist doctor in Siliguri if the sneezing and cough don’t improve after 8-10 days.

3. Influenza Flu

Influenza is a viral flu and respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. The flu season is the period when the cases of influenza flu spikes and this also increases the rates of pneumonia.

People suffering from influenza flu may experience sore throat, cough, fever, chills, diarrhea, body aches, and tiredness. These symptoms are also similar to pneumonia and insufficient treatment of this disease can lead to severe damage in the respiratory system.

4. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) Infection

HMPV virus can lead to symptoms that are similar to the common cold but can be the main reason behind major lower respiratory infections such as COPD, asthma flare-ups, and especially pneumonia.

If this illness is not treated then it can become extremely severe that can lead to hospitalization as well. Additionally, if this virus causes pneumonia then the chances of a bacterial infection also increase.

5. Allergies

Seasonal allergies can lead to the development of certain symptoms such as chest issues, congested nose, runny nose, sneezing, and cough. If this condition is left untreated then it may influence swelling and inflammation. This becomes the main reason for being affected with pneumonia.

If any of these illnesses have gone to a severe state causing symptoms of pneumonia, then the doctor may recommend you some diagnostic tests such as sputum tests, blood tests, and bronchoscopy. You can also visit an allergy clinic in Siliguri if you think that seasonal allergies were the main reason behind pneumonia.