People Asset Management Occupational Health Services

People Asset Management Occupational Health Services

121 High StreetNewton le Willows WA12 9SL Tele 01925 227000

Web page - General Advice Section

Pneumonia

Key Points (drop down)

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung.

It is usually due to infection and can be potentially serious.

Pneumonia affects the tiny air sacs (alveoli) and the smallest of the airways leading into the alveoli. T

The inflammation in the affected part (s) of the lung causes the alveoli to fill with fluid and white blood cells (fighting infection).

Pneumonia tends to be more serious than bronchitis, which is an infection of the large airways (bronchi). Sometimes bronchitis and pneumonia occur together (bronchopneumonia.

Commonly asked questions (drop down)

Are there different types of pneumonia?

Bacteria or virus infections are the usual cause of pneumonia. Other microbes (germs) such as fungi, yeasts or protozoa sometimes cause pneumonia. Inhaling poisons or chemicals is a rare cause of non-infective pneumonia.

How does pneumonia occur?

Infecting germs may be breathed into the lungs. In healthy people, small numbers of germs don’t usually matter as they are trapped in the sputum (phlegm) and are usually dealt with by the body’s immune system. Sometimes the germs multiply and cause lung infections and, although healthy people sometimes develop pneumonia, this is most likely in people who are:

Already in poor health.

Frail and elderly people

Those with chest disease

People with low immunity to infection such as:

Alcoholics

People with AIDS

People with other serious illnesses.

How serious is pneumonia?

• In people who were previously well – with treatment most people make a full recovery. However, some infecting germs can be more serious than others. Some people become very ill or even die with pneumonia

• People already in poor health – are more likely to become seriously ill with pneumonia. For example, people with AIDS, serious lung disease, advanced cancer, the very elderly or frail.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Typical symptoms are cough, fever, sweats, shivers, being off food and feeling generally unwell. Headaches, aches and pains are common. The sputum may become yellow/green. Breathlessness (short of breath), fast breathing and a ‘tight chest’ often occur. A sharp pain in the side of the chest may develop if the infection involves the pleura. (This is the membrane between the lung and the chest wall.) A doctor may hear ‘crackles’ in the chest when listening with a stethoscope.

Treatment

Treatment at home

Treatment at home may be fine for people with mild pneumonia who are normally well.

• Antibiotics are usually prescribed when pneumonia is first suspected. Bacterial infection is the common cause of pneumonia and antibiotics kill bacteria. Antibiotic treatment usually works well and full recovery can be expected. Symptoms settle over a few days if the treatment is working. A feeling of tiredness may persist for a week or so after the infection has cleared.
• Have lots to drink to avoid dehydration.
• Paracetamol may help ease a fever.
• Stronger painkillers may be needed if chest pain due to inflamed pleura (pleurisy) develops.
• Let a doctor know if symptoms do not quickly improve.

Hospital Treatment

Further tests or hospital admission may be advised for people with severe pneumonia or if symptoms do not quickly improve after antibiotic treatment has started. People already in poor health are commonly treated in hospital if the develop pneumonia.

• A chest x-ray may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the extent of the infection.
• Blood tests and sputum tests may be taken to find which bacteria are causing pneumonia. This helps to decide which antibiotic is best to use. Sometimes the bacteria causing the pneumonia are ‘resistant’ to the first antibiotic. A second antibiotic is sometimes needed.
• Physiotherapy may help to clear the infected sputum (phlegm) from the lung
• Sometimes oxygen and other supportive treatments are needed for people with severe pneumonia

General Advice Section

Recurrent bouts of pneumonia in a previously well person may be the first sign of a problem of the lung or immune system. Further tests may be advised if pneumonia recurs for no apparent reason.

Manager Section.

This is not a common problem in the workplace although when it is diagnosed, it can be potentially serious.

Short Term Sickness Absence.

It is not a condition which should appear on a self certification note and if this does happen, advice from the OH Consultant should be sought.

This condition does not commonly result in short term attendance problems.

Long Term Sickness Absence

All cases of long term sickness must be referred to the OH Consultant for an on-site review.

Manager Options

Ask employee to see his GP

Use AskLine option to get further advice - click on icon

Refer to Occupational Health Consultant - Link to referral paperwork

Further Information Links

British Medical Association

Pneumonia Fact Sheet