Pneumonia: Causes, Treatment Options, and How Insurance Can Support Your Recovery

Pneumonia is a major source of illness and mortality globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) approximates that pneumonia affects about 450 million individuals annually. In fact, it was responsible for the deaths of over 740,000 children in 2019.

The burden of pneumonia is disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries. This is because of factors like limited access to healthcare, inadequate vaccination coverage, and high rates of malnutrition. Nonetheless, efforts to combat pneumonia have seen some progress as medicine advances with new interventions and case management approaches.

This article unpacks pneumonia causes, symptoms, vaccination, and treatment options that can significantly reduce its incidence and mortality rates. It also aims to share how insurance supports pneumonia recovery.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection marked by inflammation of one’s air sacs (alveoli), making breathing exceedingly difficult. This illness can be mild to severe, potentially requiring hospitalisation. It may be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

This lung infection can affect anyone. However, individuals 50 years of age and older and children under the age of two are more vulnerable. This is largely due to the possibility that their immune systems are not robust enough to combat it.

Lifestyle choices—such as excessive alcohol use and cigarette smoking— might also increase one’s risk of contracting pneumonia. It's also possible to have pneumonia and be unaware of it. In fact, pneumonia is grouped into several types based on its causes.

Viral pneumonia

Typically less severe than bacterial pneumonia, it is caused by viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2. About a third of all pneumonia cases are caused by these viruses, and children under five are especially susceptible.

Generally, cough, fever, and dyspnea are possible symptoms of viral pneumonia. While severe cases may necessitate hospitalisation for supportive care, the majority of cases can be handled at home with rest and fluids.

Bacterial pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is inherently more severe than viral pneumonia. It is caused by various bacteria, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common. This type of pneumonia can affect one or both lungs and may require antibiotic treatment.

Symptoms typically include a productive cough, high fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions are at considerably higher risk for developing bacterial pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) occurs when a person contracts pneumonia outside of a healthcare setting. It may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and often affects otherwise healthy individuals.

Symptoms are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, ranging from mild to severe, necessitating medical attention in some cases. Fortunately, vaccination against certain pathogens may help prevent CAP.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) usually appears 48 hours after admission in individuals who are admitted for other health conditions. In practice, the presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in healthcare settings makes this type of pneumonia especially hazardous.

Individuals with weak immune systems or those on ventilators are more susceptible to HAP. Generally, more extensive antibiotic therapy is frequently needed for treatment than in community-acquired illnesses.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when food, liquid, or vomit enters the lungs instead of the stomach— consequently leading to infection. People with reduced consciousness or trouble swallowing are more likely to have this type of pneumonia.

Breathing difficulties, fever, and coughing are the most common symptoms. Fortunately, antibiotics and supportive care should suffice to control symptoms and prevent additional aspiration.

Pneumonia symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms can vary significantly based on the type of pneumonia, the causative agent, and the individual's overall health. Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in your chest or belly when you breathe or cough.

• Fever, sweating, and chills.

• Coughing, which usually produces green or yellow phlegm or bloody mucus.

• A fast pulse.

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

• Sharp or stabbing chest pain when coughing or breathing.

• Loss of appetite.

• Shortness of breath.

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing.
  
  

These symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on whether the type of pneumonia. Infants' and young children's symptoms may vary. They may not show the usual symptoms but instead show evidence of poor feeding, respiratory issues, or irritability.

Older people with compromised immune systems may present milder symptoms or unusual presentations, such as lower body temperatures rather than fever.

Unfortunately, pneumonia may escalate into several complications, if not managed well. For example:

• Pleural effusion (fluid buildupbetween the layers of tissue that line one’s lungs and chest cavity).

• Bacteremia, which may cause septic shock and organ failure.

• Respiratory failure, leading to the use of a breathing machine while one’s lungs heal.

• A lung abscess (where a pocket of pus forms inside or around one’s lung).

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

• Kidney failure.
  
  

 

Pneumonia causes

Pneumonia may be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungi pathogens, each contributing to different types of pneumonia.

• Bacterial Pneumonia: Most pneumonia incidences are caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other bacteria that may lead to pneumonia include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, and Haemophilus influenzae. Bacterial pneumonia can develop independently or following a viral infection, particularly after conditions like the flu or COVID-19.

• Viral Pneumonia: Viral pneumonia may be caused by disparate viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), varicella-zoster, measles virus, adenovirus and coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2.

• Fungal Pneumonia: This pneumonia is caused by fungi found in soil or bird droppings. Notable pathogens include Pneumocystis jirovecii, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma. People with chronic health conditions or those undergoing immunosuppressive treatments are at greatest risk of fungal pneumonia.
  
  

Risk factors for pneumonia

Pneumonia risk factors can be categorised into age, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, chronic health conditions, and immune system status.

• Age: Children under five and adults aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia.

• Environmental factors: Living in crowded homes or areas with high levels of indoor air pollution may elevate the risk of respiratory infections. It can impair lung function and reduce the body's ability to clear pathogens from the airways.

• Lifestyle habits: Lifestyle choices like smoking tobacco— whether actively or passively— significantly increase susceptibility to pneumonia due to its detrimental effects on one's lung health. Similarly, alcoholism may weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of aspiration pneumonia— where food or liquid enters the lungs.

• Chronic health conditions: Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease may compromise lung function. Thereby, making one more susceptible to pneumonia.

• Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems from HIV/AIDS or cancer may be at risk of severe pneumonia.

 

Is pneumonia contagious?

Yes, pneumonia can be contagious. However, this depends on the type of pneumonia and the causative agent. Both bacterial and viral pneumonia can spread from person to person via respiratory droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks.

These droplets can be inhaled by close contact, leading to potential infection. Additionally, while it is less common, pneumonia can also be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces—and then touching the face, particularly the mouth or nose.

For bacterial pneumonia, individuals are typically contagious for about 48 hours after starting antibiotics and once their fever has subsided. In the case of viral pneumonia, a person remains infectious as long as they exhibit symptoms, particularly fever. Fungal pneumonia, on the other hand, is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.

Pneumonia treatments

The course of treatment for pneumonia is usually determined by the patient's general health, the type of pneumonia, and its severity. Generally, antibiotics are the main treatment for bacterial pneumonia.

However, the choice of antibiotic often depends on the specific bacteria involved and local resistance patterns. For instance:

• Amoxicillin: Often used as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated cases.

• Macrolides or Doxycycline: These antibiotics may be prescribed for patients allergic to penicillin, or in instances of atypical pneumonia.

• Respiratory Fluoroquinolones: Used for patients with comorbidities or severe infections.
  
  

Since viral pneumonia doesn’t respond to antibiotics, treatment focuses on symptom management and supportive care. This includes rest and hydration, antiviral medications (for specific viruses like influenza), pain relievers and fever reducers (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen).

Fungal pneumonia dictates the administration of antifungal medications tailored to the specific fungus involved. Treatment duration can vary based on infection severity and the patient's immune status. Common antifungal treatments include Amphotericin B and Fluconazole.

More severe instances of pneumonia may require hospitalisation, especially in at-risk groups like older persons or people with underlying medical issues. If necessary, hospitalised patients may also get oxygen therapy in addition to IV fluids and antibiotics.

If your physician suspects pneumonia, they will likely do tests on you, such as:

• Tests of the blood to check for bacterial infections

• A chest X-ray to medically determine the extent of the lung infection

• Pulse oximetry to determine the amount of oxygen in your blood.

• An examination of your sputum to determine the source of an infection

 

How long can pneumonia last?

The duration of pneumonia depends on the type, the causative agent, and the patient's overall health. For bacterial pneumonia, standard treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics that lasts 10 to 14 days.

While some patients may take 5 to 7 days to recover from pneumonia, others may experience lingering symptoms like fatigue and cough for several weeks or even months.

As such, patients should always adhere to their healthcare provider's recommendations to support their healing process.

Signs that pneumonia is improving

One of the most important signs of recovery is when body temperature returns to normal. This may happen, usually within a week after beginning drug therapy— signifying that the infection is under control.

Additionally, patients should exhibit appreciably decreased mucus production and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of their coughs. This indicates that the infection is being cleared out of their lungs.

As the inflammation decreases, breathing should also become easier, and any discomfort or soreness in the chest should disappear.

Further, when improving, pneumonia patients may have more energy to execute everyday tasks without feeling overly exhausted as their recuperation proceeds.

However, some symptoms—like a persistent cough or slight exhaustion—may last for weeks or even months following the initial infection. To guarantee a speedy recovery, patients must monitor their symptoms and keep lines of communication open with their healthcare providers.

Pneumonia vaccine

Vaccination prevents pneumonia and lowers the chance of serious side effects, such as bloodstream infections and meningitis.

Several vaccine interventions are available to help lessen the incidence of pneumonia, specifically targeting infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The two main types of pneumococcal vaccines are pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV).

PCVs, such as PCV15, PCV20, and the newer PCV21, are expressly designed to protect against multiple serotypes of the bacteria. This makes them effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in both children and adults.

Generally, these vaccines are recommended for young children under five and older adults over 65. They may also be administered to individuals with specific health conditions that increase their risk of pneumonia.

The PPSV23 vaccine protects against 23 serotypes of pneumococcal bacteria. It is typically administered to adults over 65 and children aged 2 to 18 with specific health conditions.

Does medical insurance cover pneumonia?

Medical insurance usually covers treatment for pneumonia, including hospital stays, prescription drugs, and outpatient care. However, the scope of coverage may differ depending on the particular insurance plan and provider.

In Malaysia, Prudential's medical insurance products offer several comprehensive coverage choices for pneumonia and related medical conditions. For instance:

PRUMillion Med 2.0 

PRUMillion Med 2.0 is a comprehensive health insurance plan from Prudential that covers various medical expenses, including those related to pneumonia. This plan offers benefits like high annual limits for hospitalisation and surgical procedures, ensuring that individuals can access necessary treatments without financial strain.

Prudential's PRUMillion Med 2.0 offers annual limit up to RM8 million and has no lifetime cap. With the booster option, which offers an instant RM10 million yearly limit increase, you can further improve your coverage. If there were no claims made in the previous year, you will also receive a reward.

Conclusion

In summary, pneumonia is a lung infection characterised by inflammation in one’s lungs, fever, coughing, and trouble breathing. If left untreated, the illness can rapidly worsen and lead to serious consequences like sepsis or respiratory failure.

Fortunately, medical insurance helps in managing pneumonia—particularly for susceptible populations such as children and older adults. This financial assistance it renders makes it possible for patients to receive the best care required without having to worry about extreme costs.