Adina Hickman, age 14, of Meridian, Miss., for her question:
WHAT IS DOUBLE PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia is a lung disease that can be caused by either bacteria or viruses and can be transmitted from one person to another. There are several types of pneumonia and they vary with the location and extent of the diseased lung tissue. It is usually called simply pneumonia if it is in one lung, but if a person has the disease in both lungs, it is called double pneumonia.
The disease most often hits persons who are over 65 years old or under 5 years of age. In children, the disease usually attacks the small bronchi and their branches, causing the type known as bronchopneumonia.
Pneumococcus 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 leukocytes, 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 will start suddenly while other times it may follow a bad cold or occur as a complication of influenza, measles or some other disease. It may also follow surgery.
Chills, a pain in the chest, a hard dry cough and a high fever are the usual first symptoms. Great fatigue and a loss of strength are other symptoms. The patient soon starts to cough up brownish yellow phlegm and his breathing becomes very difficult.
Spring and winter are the seasons when pneumonia is especially prevalent although it can hit during any part of the year.
Bed rest is one of the most important parts of the treatment of pneumonia. It should start from the first day symptoms are noticed and continue until the patient has recovered completely. A doctor should definitely be called to treat the patient.
Doctors often prescribe sulfonamide drugs, penicillin and other drugs to treat pneumonia.
Doctors do everything possible to make sure that the pneumonia patient keeps up his strength, nutrition and fluid intake. If breathing is difficult, the doctor many times will prescribe oxygen by means of a mask or oxygen tent.
Pneumonia, unfortunately, is often a disease that is fatal to persons who have low vitality, who are considerably overweight or who drink too much liquor.
As a precaution, every person should definitely keep his body resistance high and get plenty of rest, particularly when there are epidemics of pneumonia. Also, he should eat well balanced meals at all times in order to keep a strong body.
And remember this rule: See a doctor if the signs point to pneumonia.