Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. It causes your lung tissue to swell resulting in fluid or pus in the lungs. This can make it very difficult to breathe. Bacterial pneumonia is treated through antibiotics. It requires a hospital stay. Viral pneumonia has symptoms similar to the flu and usually resolves on its own. Pneumonia developing in both lungs is called double pneumonia. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types and common symptoms of oneymoa. Visit AFC Urgent Care Farmington for a pneumonia diagnosis and treatment plan today!
Types of Pneumonia
The following are the main types of pneumonia:
Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP):
This type of pneumonia is acquired outside of a healthcare facility. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP):
You can get hospital-acquired pneumonia while in a hospital or healthcare facility for another illness or procedure. It is often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is harder to treat.
Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP):
You can get HCAP while in a long-term care facility (such as a nursing home) or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. It is usually caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP):
You are at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in case you need to be on a respirator or breathing machine to help you breathe in the hospital. It is caused by the same types of bacteria as community-acquired pneumonia, as well as the drug-resistant kinds that cause hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Aspiration pneumonia:
This occurs when spit, vomit, solid food or liquids go down your trachea (windpipe) and into your lungs. Your lungs will get infected if you can’t cough these up.
Can Pneumonia Cause Back Pain?
Yes, pneumonia has been connected with pain usually caused in the upper back. If the pain is localized in one part of the body, it is likely to be related to lung issues. Back pain has been experienced in 25% of lung cancer cases, so it’s best to check for this as well. Such pain gets better when you stand up but is worse when you sit or lie down.
Upper back pain related to pneumonia is identifiable as a sharp, stabbing pain that leads to extreme discomfort while breathing, coughing and moving.
How to Manage Back Pain
The way to manage back pain is by looking at two factors: what is the underlying cause and how to relieve the pain.
- See if the pain can be alleviated by lying on your side.
- Use painkillers such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control the pain.
- Treat the cause of the pain. Viral causes can be managed by medications to relieve symptoms. Bacterial infections are managed by antibiotics.
Get Pneumonia Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Farmington
Back pain can be a side effect of pneumonia. Cortisone shots, radiofrequency neurotomy and implanted nerve stimulators can help relieve the pain. Contact an urgent care provider if you experience sharp back pain, have difficulty breathing or feel dizzy or lightheaded in addition to the back pain. AFC Urgent Care Farmington is open seven days a week and operates on a walk-in basis. Simply stop by at your convenience if you are experiencing pneumonia symptoms. Our providers can diagnose your condition and plan treatment accordingly!
