Bacterial pneumonia is caused by two types of bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae is one .
type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. Normally, this bacterial can be found in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy adults. However, it is when this type of bacteria enters the lower respiratory tracts that it causes problems. The incubation period for the streptococcus pneumonia bacteria is 1-3 days. .
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is another type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. This type of bacteria is found more commonly in school aged children. It can last from a few days to a few weeks. .
Bacterial pneumonia is contagious and can be spread by close contact. Actions such as coughing and sneezing can spread airborne droplets of the pneumonia bacteria from one person to another. Bacterial pneumonia occurs more often in industrialized cities, and anyplace else where people are living in close quarters. .
There are numerous symptoms associated with pneumonia. A patient may have some or all of these symptoms. Most common symptoms include a high fever ( as high as 105 F), a cough with green mucus-like sputum, vomiting, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest pains which can be sharp or increased with deep breathing and coughing, chills, fatigue, headaches, uneasiness, joint or muscular stiffness, nausea, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, clammy skin, nasal flaring, abdominal pain, bluish nail beds and lips, delirious behavior, and leucocytosis, which can only be determined through a blood test.
A doctor will diagnose a patient with pneumonia based upon symptoms the patient is experiencing, lab test results, and examination. Some tests that might be performed before a .
diagnosis is made include : a culture of the sputum, a complete blood count test, a test for arterial .
blood gases, a thoracic CT scan, pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan, a pleural fluid culture, a lung needle biopsy, and a chest x-ray.
