What is one of the leading causes of death in children under the age of five? Drowning? SIDS? Although these are both great answers I’m actually referring to Pneumonia which accounts for 15% of all deaths in children under 5 years old. Pneumonia actually claimed the lives of an estimated 922,000 children in 2015. Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lungs which primarily affects the microscopic air sacs known as the alveoli. The condition will inflame the air sacs in the lungs and possibly lead to them being filled with fluid. There are a multiple of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi that can cause pneumonia. The most commonly listed organisms are pneumococcus, streptococcus and staphylococcus. Pneumococcal pneumonia
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The most common form of treatment for the bacterial and fungal forms of this condition are antibiotics. This regimen of antibiotics depends greatly on the identification of the causative organism, the organism 's resistance to certain antibiotics and the overall health of the individual. In some cases the initial treatment is known as the empiric treatment which is geared toward identifying the causative organism and will lead to an individualized and specific antibiotic regimen. Most pneumonia diagnosis’ can be treated at home however there are a select amount of severe forms which require hospitalization. People with more severe cases of bacterial pneumonia may be treated with oxygen, intravenous fluids, and breathing treatments to ease symptoms. Although antibiotics are the more preferable form of treatment they are not the only regimen used in the treatment of pneumonia. Depending on the type of pneumonia, in specific the viral forms of pneumonia, antiviral medicines may also be beneficial, only if they’re used immediately and in proper doses though. In the same sense antifungal agents may also be used to treat fungal pneumonia. These fungal pneumonias can be diagnosed with a blood test which will show your body trying to make antibodies to treat the fungus. Several antifungal medications serve as treatment for pneumonia and can be administered whether orally or
The most common form of treatment for the bacterial and fungal forms of this condition are antibiotics. This regimen of antibiotics depends greatly on the identification of the causative organism, the organism 's resistance to certain antibiotics and the overall health of the individual. In some cases the initial treatment is known as the empiric treatment which is geared toward identifying the causative organism and will lead to an individualized and specific antibiotic regimen. Most pneumonia diagnosis’ can be treated at home however there are a select amount of severe forms which require hospitalization. People with more severe cases of bacterial pneumonia may be treated with oxygen, intravenous fluids, and breathing treatments to ease symptoms. Although antibiotics are the more preferable form of treatment they are not the only regimen used in the treatment of pneumonia. Depending on the type of pneumonia, in specific the viral forms of pneumonia, antiviral medicines may also be beneficial, only if they’re used immediately and in proper doses though. In the same sense antifungal agents may also be used to treat fungal pneumonia. These fungal pneumonias can be diagnosed with a blood test which will show your body trying to make antibodies to treat the fungus. Several antifungal medications serve as treatment for pneumonia and can be administered whether orally or