Community acquired pneumonia is a disease that affects the lungs. It is usually caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It can be spread from person to person and is acquired through the inhalation of particles from an infected patient. It can be typical or atypical, and the symptoms are dependent on the type of pneumonia.
Typical Community Acquired Pneumonia
Typical community acquired pneumonia is most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Patients usually experience a sudden onset of high fever. They also have a productive cough and chest pain from the infected lung. There will be shortness of breath as the lungs are not able to allow for normal inspiration and expiration. There will be some nausea and vomiting, which is due to the build up of acid gases in the lungs. Rapid breathing might also be experienced as the lungs are not able to take in enough oxygen.
Atypical Community Acquired Pneumonia
Atypical community acquired pneumonia is most often due to infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and viruses. Patients do not appear physically as ill as patients with typical community acquired pneumonia. There is a slow onset, low fever, and while there might be a hacking cough, no sputum is produced. The symptoms are flu-like, with inflammation and pain such as sore throat, body pains, headaches, fatigue and weakness, but no severe chest pain.
Emergency Symptoms
Sometimes community acquired pneumonia can be an emergency situation. One such instance would be if there was a severe hacking cough with bloody sputum. A deficiency in oxygen which causes the skin to turn blue, a condition known as cyanosis, would be another situation requiring emergency medical care. Another circumstance signaling an emergency would be the presence of a high fever coupled with labored breathing. In the elderly, the symptoms might not be as apparent, and mental confusion is usually observed.
