Which Groups likely to develop complications?

•Mostly, people suffering from pneumonia respond well to treatment and recover completely. 

•However, individuals can relapse by getting re-infected especially when they do not complete treatment.

•If left untreated pneumonia can be deadly.

•Individual with existing health conditions are usually at higher risk of developing complications from pneumonia infection.

•Vulnerability increases with weakened immune system either from medication that suppress immunity or conditions that weaken one’s immunity. 

•Older adults and very young children are also prone to develop complication due to weakened immunity. 

The common Pneumonia complications

Worsened Chronic conditions

•Pneumonia may worsen the existing health conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, lung diseases etc.

•Additionally, severe pneumonia may lead to damage of key organs such as the kidney, liver and heart due to inability to receive adequate oxygen supply.

Sepsis

•Refers blood infection which may progress to organ failure. The most common type is bacteremia (when the bacteria enters your blood stream)

Respiratory failure

•The individual will experience severe difficulty in breathing which may require hospitalization. The individual may need to be put on a ventilator to aid breathing.

Acute Respiratory distress syndrome

•The syndrome leads to severe respiratory failure hence is a medical emergency

Pleural effusion 

•Pneumonia may lead to build up/accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissues that line the lungs and the chest cavity. 

Lung abscess

•Refers to the development of pus pockets in the lung tissues.

•Sometimes  necrotising pneumonia occurs which is a rare but  a severe complication.

Note: 

•Treatment of complications of pneumonia majorly aim at proper management of the pre-existing condition and treatment of the specific pneumonia infectious agent.

•It is normally carried out by intravenous antibiotic therapy combined with oral antibiotic therapy, respiratory therapy and oxygen therapy.