is pneunia contagist?

Answer 1

No. Its caused by fluid build up in your lungs, and other people cant catch it. But there are still germs in coughing, so people with pneumonia should still cover their mouth.

Answer 2

Most infectious pneumonias are contagious, since they can be spread from one person to another. Generally healthy people do not fall ill to pneumonia. Many viruses and bacteria can cause infectious pneumonia. When certain germs cause pneumonia, it can be very contagious. An example of this is when it is caused by the bacteria streptococcus pneumonia. This is often seen as an outbreak in young healthy military recruits living in the same barracks.

Pneumonia caused by a fungus or an opportunistic infection, which effects people with AIDS, it is not contagious. Some people are more likely to fall ill to pneumonia such as those with diabetes, alcoholism, any chronic lung problem, a chronic sinus problem, a weakened immune system, aspiration, and the elderly.

There can also be non-infectious causes of pneumonia. Some examples are hypersensitivity pneumonitis, chemical inhalation, and smoke inhalation. These are not contagious.

Read more here... http://www.medhelp.org/forums/RespiratoryDisorders/messages/1874.html

Answer 3

You mean pneumonia, fluid in lungs? Could be contagious if due to bacterial or viral infection. Ask the doctor since in any case it needs treatment.

Answer 4

Assuming that you mean Pnuemonia, yes it's contagious

Answer 5

depends on whether it is viral or bacterial. viral is

Answer 6

Hi! Yes – certain viruses that can lead to pneumonia are contagious. Every day people breathe in different types of bacteria, viruses or other germs. In general, it is nothing to worry about as our immune systems usually kill off these germs. But, probably your immune system is weak. You must take care about your immune system, eat food rich in vitamins, sleep enough and avoid crowds.

Contagion summary:Person-to-person transmission may occur by direct contact with infectious secretions. Most cases of pneumonia among children occur sporadically, not in outbreaks. (Source: excerpt from Pneumonia among Children in Developing Countries: DBMD
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Pneumonia — Is it contagious?

Pneumonia refers to an infection or inflammation of the lung tissue. It is a serious condition, usually caused by any of dozens of viruses and bacteria, often following a severe cold, the flu or bronchitis. Pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly for people over 65, and anyone with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease or diabetes.

It's unusual to contract pneumonia from someone else. You will usually develop pneumonia because your immunity is weakened, not because of exposure to germs.

Many pneumonia-causing germs reside in your throat naturally. Normally, your body keeps these germs from entering your lungs and making you sick. But if your immunity is weak, you may not be able to prevent them from entering one or both lungs. Once you've had pneumonia, you're at risk of getting it again.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of organism causing the problem.

Bacterial pneumonia can cause chills, chest pain, high fever, and a severe cough that produces a rust-colored (bloody) or greenish phlegm. It can be treated with antibiotics.

Viral pneumonia, usually caused by a flu virus, can cause fever, dry cough, headache, muscle pain and weakness, and increasing breathlessness. It is treated primarily with rest. SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF: You have an unexplained fever and/or a persistent cough or breathlessness, particularly following a cold or flu. Be watchful as pneumonia symptoms can be subtle.

Pneumonia becomes deadly when the inflammation in the lungs interferes with breathing; or when the infection enters the bloodstream, spreading to other organs.

Prevention: Because pneumonia is a complication of the flu, getting an annual flu shot can help. People at high risk for getting bacterial pneumonia should discuss getting a one-time pneumococcal vaccine with their health care provider.

Source: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book

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Pneumonia: Managing This Serious Infection

Pneumonia is classified as an inflammation of the lungs due to an infection. 4.8 million cases of pneumonia occur each year in the United States, with 1.3 million of the cases requiring hospitalization for treatment. An estimated 65,000 people die of pneumonia each year, making it the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

Symptoms
The type and severity of symptoms of pneumonia may vary, but most individuals experience cough, fevers and/or chills, and fatigue. There may also be chest pain, shortness of breath, body aches, headache, and poor appetite. The cough may be productive with sputum (phlegm from deep inside the lungs) that is greenish, yellowish, or rusty-colored, or, the cough may be dry with no sputum production.

Causes
In about half of all pneumonias, the cause cannot be identified; however, multiple organisms can cause pneumonia, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the bacterium that most commonly causes pneumonia, along with Klebsiella, Hemophilus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Legionella, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma are types of organisms that can cause pneumonia. Mycoplasma has characteristics of both bacteria and viruses and usually occurs in older children and young adults. Fungi, like Histoplasmosis, can also cause pneumonia. In addition, the influenza virus causes pneumonia, especially in winter. Other pneumonia viruses include the parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncyntial virus.

The cause of the infection varies depending on the underlying health of the person. For instance, someone with an immune system disorder is more likely to get certain types of pneumonia. Additionally, organisms that can cause pneumonia are more likely to be present at certain times of the year and/or in particular geographic areas.

Diagnosis
Signs of pneumonia on a physical exam may include shortness of breath, coughing, fever, clamminess and paleness of the skin, and bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails if the individual isn't getting enough oxygen. Breath sounds, as checked while listening through a stethoscope, may be decreased or otherwise altered when pneumonia is present. A chest x-ray is the standard diagnostic test for pneumonia and can show an infiltrate in the lung. The infiltrate is a collection of fluid in the lung tissue and can be caused by a pneumonia infection.

Additionally, cultures of the sputum and blood will likely be taken and tested, and liver function, kidney function, and electrolyte levels will be checked. To see how much oxygen from the lungs is entering the bloodstream, a pulse oximeter test or an arterial blood test may be done. The pulse oximeter is a monitor placed on the finger to measure the percentage of oxygen in the blood. The arterial blood test also measures the level of oxygen and other gasses in the blood. If an individual is rather ill or at high risk for severe infections, he or she may be hospitalized for care.

Treatment
Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics. Depending on the individual's medical history, severity of illness, and likely cause of the pneumonia, hospitalization may be required. In the hospital, intravenous medications are likely to be used to help treat the infection.

As the cause of pneumonia is often unknown at the onset, the patient will be first given the antibiotic for the organisms most likely to have caused the pneumonia. If the individual doesn't improve, is hospitalized, or is found to have an infection caused by a different organism, the original treatment medication can be changed.

Sometimes an initial injection of medication is given followed by oral antibiotics. There are three main classes of oral antibiotics used to treat pneumonia.


Macrolides-clarithromycin, azithromydin, erythromycin
Fluroquinolones-levofloxin, grepafloxin, sparfloxin
Tetracyclines-doxycycline
There are no specific medications for treating viral pneumonias as these types of pneumonias usually resolve with supportive care that helps the body recover on its own. Sometimes antibiotics are used to prevent a bacterial infection from developing in addition to the viral infection, or if the cause of the infection is unclear.

There is some concern about creating resistance to antibiotics through overuse or misuse. Factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance are not completing the full course of antibiotics or taking a dosage or type of antibiotic that is not well matched to the cause of the infection. For example, the use of an antibiotic that kills a broad range of organisms when only a specific organism needs to be treated.

Prevention
Pneumonia is contagious and is spread by contact with fluids from the nose and mouth of an infected individual. Activities such as sneezing, coughing, sharing eating utensils, and contacting droplets of fluid on Kleenex or on the hands can spread the infection. Some people are more susceptible to pneumonia, especially children and adults over 65 years old. Anyone with underlying lung disease, heart problems, diabetes, kidney dysfunction, sickle cell disease, AIDS, alcohol abuse, malnutrition, or who is pregnant is at increased risk of infection. It is important for these individuals to avoid contact with other individuals who are ill.

Vaccines may be of assistance in preventing pneumonia. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine can help prevent pneumonias associated with these infections. The flu vaccine can decrease the chances of developing pneumonia from the influenza virus. The pneumonia vaccine is for Streptococcus pneumoniae and should be given to people over age 65 or individuals who are predisposed to pneumonia, such as those who have had their spleen removed. Overall, proper diet, hygiene, regular exercise, adequate fluid intake, and rest can help improve resistance to illness.

REFERENCES:

American Lung Association. (2006). Pneumonia. Retrieved July 9, 2006, from http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35691

Bartlett, J. (1998). Community-acquired pneumonia in adults: Guidelines for management. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 26, 811-38.

Farber, M. (1999). Managing community-acquired pneumonia. Postgraduate Medicine, 105(4), 106-114.

Schaefer, O. (1998). Community-acquired pneumonia. Hospital Medicine, 34(9), 13-24.