Why pneumonia is so dangerous?

Every time you take a breath in, air passes through the trachea, a network of bronchi, and small collections of air sacs called alveoli. The lungs have about 600 million alveoli, which together make up an area of about 75 square meters, or a tennis court's size. These minuscule sacs, each only one cell thick, serve as a vital conduit for an exchange that allows oxygen from the air we breathe to enter the bloodstream and removes carbon dioxide. This interaction suffers from pneumonitis. Alveoli become infected with pneumonia, which causes them to swell with fluid. Pneumonia can be brought on by many different pathogens. Bacteria or viruses are the most prevalent ones. When we touch our eyes, noses, or mouths after touching a contaminated surface, these microscopic invaders enter the body through droplets in the air we breathe. The mucociliary escalator is the respiratory tract's first line of defense after that. The mucociliary escalator is made up of cilia, which are minuscule hairs, and mucus, which traps foreign invaders and moves toward the mouth where it can be expelled through coughing.

However, some of these invaders may pass through the mucociliary escalator and enter the lungs, where they come into contact with the alveoli. Alveoli possess unique varieties of white blood cells called macrophages that protect against foreign organisms by encasing and eating them. This is because alveoli play a crucial role in the exchange of blood and air from the outside world. The macrophages fight off pathogens that get into the lungs. To aid, the immune system produces more white blood cells to release into the alveoli. As these immune cells battle the pathogens, they produce fluid as a byproduct of the inflammation. Gas exchange within the alveoli becomes significantly more challenging when this fluid accumulates. The body breathes more quickly as the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream starts to increase in an effort to expel it and allow more oxygen to enter. One of the most prevalent signs of pneumonia is rapid breathing.

Additionally, by coughing, the body tries to expel the fluid from the alveoli. Even though figuring out the cause of pneumonia can be challenging, once it is, doctors can start prescribing antibiotics, which may include either antibacterial or antiviral medications. Antibiotic therapy assists the body in controlling the infection. The body gradually eliminates or absorbs fluid and dead cells as the pathogen is eliminated. While full recovery could take up to a month, the worst symptoms usually subside in about a week. Adults who are otherwise healthy can usually treat pneumonia themselves. However, pneumonia can be much more serious for some populations, necessitating hospitalization as well as oxygen, artificial ventilation, or other supportive measures while the body fights the infection. Smoking harms the cilia, reducing their capacity to remove even the average volume of mucus and secretions, let alone the increased volume associated with pneumonia. An individual may be more vulnerable to pneumonia-causing pathogens due to genetic and autoimmune conditions. The immune systems of infants, young children, and the elderly are also compromised.

Additionally, a person's risk of developing a bacterial respiratory infection is increased if they have viral pneumonia. Insufficient access to healthcare contributes to a significant number of pneumonia-related deaths. But occasionally, even with the right treatment, the body engages in a protracted battle against the infection it cannot control, triggering inflammatory pathways not just in the lungs but throughout the body. This is actually a defense mechanism, but if it lasts too long, the organs start to shut down, which can lead to shock and even death. So how can we prevent pneumonia? Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising help your body fight off infections. Vaccines can guard against common pathogens that cause pneumonia, and routine hand washing can help stop the spread of these pathogens and protect people who are most at risk for developing severe pneumonia.