Jill Vogel, age 9, of Crestwood, Mo., for her question:
WHAT IS DOUBLE PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia is often a disease that is fatal to persons who have low vitality, who are considerably overweight, or who drink too much alcoholic liquor. A person should definitely keep his body resistance high and get plenty of rest, particularly when epidemics of pneumonia are prevalent. Also, he should eat well balanced meals at all times to help keep his body strong.
Pneumonia is a lung disease. It can be caused by either bacteria or viruses and can be transmitted from one person to another.
There are several types of pneumonia. They vary with the location and extent of the diseased lung tissue.
When a person has pneumonia in both lungs, it is called double pneumonia.
The disease often afflicts persons who are over 65 years old or under five years of age. In children, the disease usually attacks the small bronchi and their branches, causing the type known as bronchopneumonia.
Pneumoccoccus bacteria are responsible for most causes of lobar pneumonia. In this common form, the air sacs of an entire lobe or several lobes of the lungs fill first with clotted blood, then with leucocytes, or white blood cells.
Several kinds of viral pneumonia are caused by tiny germs called viruses. A few kinds of pneumonia result from inhaling dust and powders, fungi or certain chemicals.
Sometimes pneumonia begins suddenly. Other times it may follow a bad cold or occur as a complication of influenza, measles and some other diseases. It may also follow surgery.
Chills, a pain in the chest, a hard dry cough and a high fever are the usual first symptoms. The patient soon starts to cough up brownish red phlegm and his breathing becomes more difficult.
Although pneumonia is especially prevalent in winter and spring, it may attack during any season of the year.
Bed rest is especially important for the patient with pneumonia. It should start from the first day symptoms are noticed and continue until he has recovered completely. A physician should treat every person who has pneumonia.
Doctors always make sure that the patient keeps up his strength, nutrition and fluid intake. If breathing is difficult, often the patient is given oxygen by means of a mask or oxygen tent.
Often doctors prescribe sulfonamide drugs, penicillin and other drugs that treat pneumonia.