Pneumonia

The term pneumonia is applied to many pulmonary infections which are most often caused by bacteria. Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common and is referred to as typical pneumonia. Atypical pneumonia is caused by other microorganisms such as fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The difference between them were discovered in 1883 by Friedlander and Talamon. Streptococcus pneumoniae was first discovered by Pasteur who isolated it from saliva in a person who had rabies in 1881. Depending on the portion of the lower respiratory tract pneumonia affects, gives it it's name. Bronchial pneumonia is inflamation of the bronchial tubes. Lobar pneumonia is inflammation of one or more of the lobes. It can also be classified on how the
Pneumococcal pneumonia involves the aveoli and/or the bronchi causing them to fill up with pus (neutrophils) and fluids. Red blood cells are also found in the aveoli. There are four stages in the process of pneumonia. The immune system kicks in and tries to fight Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Center of Disease Control states, "There were an estimated 3,700 deaths in the United States from pneumococcal meningitis and bacteremia in 2013." If Streptococcus pneumoniae enters the cerebral spinal fluid, it can cause meningitis where it can cause brain damage or even death. Meningitis is common for newborn
PCV13 (Prevnar 13), produced by Pfizer, also called the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is reccomended for children six through eighteen years of age and adults nineteen years or older with certain medical conditions. According to the Center of Disease Control, "children up through 5 years of age routinely [should] receive 4 doses of a different pneumococcal vaccine (13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13)....[and] getting the influenza vaccination decreases the risk of getting pneumonia." The most severe childhood pneumococcal infections can be prevented with getting