• Question: Do you think that you will find a cure for pneumonia (fluid on the lung) at some point in the future?. If so how do you think you would cure it?. Are there any illnesses you are likely to pick up while suffering from this disease?. If you suffered from a physical deficiency i.e. Cerebal Palsy would you be more likely to die from this?.

    Asked by anon-182322 on 25 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Liza Selley

      Liza Selley answered on 25 Jun 2018:

      Hi Roxannewilson,

      Pneumonia is an infection that is usually caused by bacteria which means that it can be treated quite easily with antibiotics. Air pollution is a big issue with regards to pneumonia – lots of people who live in cities or work in jobs that expose them to air pollution suffer with infections like pneumonia. This is because the pollution distracts white blood cell in our lungs. These cells patrol the lungs looking for bacteria to hoover up and destroy. When we inhale pollution the white blood cells hoover that up instead and become too full to get rid of the bacteria. Bacteria love warm and moist environments like the lungs so are able to grow there and cause the symptoms of pneumonia.
      If you had an existing condition that dampened down your immune response you would be in a similar position – your lungs would be less able to rid themselves of bacteria and to signal throughout the body for back up by circulating immune cells.

    • Photo: Claire Donald

      Claire Donald answered on 27 Jun 2018:

      Liza gives a very good answer. You can prevent the risk of bacterial pneumonia by being hygienic by washing your hands, throwing away tissues and covering your mouth when you sneeze.

      There are others causes of pneumonia that cannot be treated with antibiotics. Some viruses (like flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)) cause pneumonia, particularly in young children. Its much more rare in the UK but some kinds of fungi can also cause pneumonia. Healthy people usually recover well by resting and taking fluids. If its more severe they will need to go to hospital. If you have pneumonia you are at risk of other complications like lung abscesses (pus filled lumps), inflamed lung lining or blood poisoning (bacteria in the blood). These are all really serious and can be more common in patients with pre-existing medical conditions.

    • Photo: Lauren Burns

      Lauren Burns answered on 29 Jun 2018:

      Great question and superb answers! Out of my area of expertise so wouldn’t be able to add anything else 🙂

Comments