RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS
Respiratory Infection (Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Influenza)
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is defined as inflammation with exudative solidification of the lung parenchyma, generally acute. The term "pneumonitis" is synonymus but is best avoided.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that mainly affects the lungs. The germs that cause tuberculosis are a type of bacteria.
Tuberculosis can spread when a person with the illness coughs, sneezes or sings. This can put tiny droplets with the germs into the air. Another person can then breathe in the droplets, and the germs enter the lungs.
Tuberculosis spreads easily where people gather in crowds or where people live in crowded conditions. People with HIV/AIDS and other people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of catching tuberculosis than people with typical immune systems.
Influenza
Flu, also called influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs, which are part of the respiratory system. The flu is caused by a virus. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's different from the stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Most people with the flu get better on their own.
But sometimes, influenza and its. complications can be deadly. Some groups of people are at a higher than average risk of having flu complications, including:
Young children, especially those age 12 months or younger.
People who plan to be pregnant, are pregnant or recently gave birth during flu season.
Adults older than age 65.
People who live or work in facilities with many other residents. Examples are those in nursing homes and military barracks, as well as people who are in the hospital.
Causes
Pneumonia
Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Your body usually prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But sometimes these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good.
Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause itand where you got the infection.
Community-acquired pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonias the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by:
Bacteria: The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you've had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
Bacteria-like organisms: Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than do other types of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is an informal name given to this type of pneumonia, which typically isnit severe enough to require bed rest.
Fungi: This type of pneumonias most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms. The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or bird droppings and vary depending upon geographic location.
Viruses, including COVID-19: Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. Viral pneumonia is usually mild. But in some cases it can become very serious. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) may cause pneumonia, which can become severe.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
Health care-acquired pneumonia
Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities or who receive care in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, health care-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
People with active TB disease in the lungs or voice box can spread the disease. They release tiny droplets that carry the bacteria through the air. This can happen when they're speaking, singing, laughing, coughing or sneezing. A person can get an infection after inhaling the droplets.
The disease is more likely to spread when people spend a lot of time together in an indoor space. So the disease spreads easily in places where people live or work together for long periods. Also, the disease spreads more easily in crowded gatherings.
Influenza
Influenza is caused by viruses. These viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly. Or you can pick up the germs from touching an object, such as a computer keyboard, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
People with the virus are likely contagious from about a day before symptoms appear until about 5 to 7 days after they start. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.
Symptoms
Pneumonia
Classical features of CAP (Community-acquired pneumonia) are sudden onset of rigors followed by fever, pleuritic chest pain, cough productive of purulent sputum and haemoptysis.
These symptoms may be absent in elderly patients who present with confusion.
Patients with atypical pneumonia may have a dry cough. These patients often have extrapulmonary features that include myalgias, arthalgias, prominent headache, mental confusion, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Haemotysis is uncommon in atypical CAP.
Tuberculosis
When tuberculosis (TB) germs survive and multiply in the lungs, it is called a TB infection. A TB infection may be in one of three stages. Symptoms are different in each stage.
Primary TB infection. The first stages called the primary infection. Immune system cells find and capture the germs. The immune system may completely destroy the germs. But some captured germs may still survive and multiply.
Most people don't have symptoms during a primary infection. Some people may get flu-like symptoms, such as:
Low fever.
Tiredness.
Cough.
Latent TB infection. Primary infection is usually followed by the stage called latent TB infection. Immune system cells build a wall around lung tissue with TB germs. The germs can't do any more harm if the immune system keeps them under control. But the germs survive. There are no symptoms during latent TB infection.
Active TB disease. Active TB disease happens when the immune system can't control an infection. Germs cause disease throughout the lungs or other parts of the body. Active TB disease may happen right after primary infection. But it usually happens after months or years of latent TB infection.
Symptoms of active TB disease in the lungs usually begin gradually and worsen over a few weeks. They may include:
Cough.
Coughing up blood or mucus.
Chest pain.
Pain with breathing or coughing.
Fever.
Chills.
Night sweats.
Weight loss.
Not wanting to eat.
Tiredness.
Not feeling well in general.
Influenza
At first, the flu may seem like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. Colds usualy start slowly. But the flu tends to come on quickly. And while a cold can be miserable, you usually feel much worse with the flu.
Common symptoms of the flu often — but not always — include a fever as well as aching muscles, chills and sweats.
Other symptoms include:
Headache.
Dry, persistent cough.
Shortness of breath.
Tiredness and weakness.
Runny or stuffy nose.
Eyepain.
Vomiting and diarrhea also are flu symptoms. But they are more common in children than in adults.
Treatments
Pneumonia being an acute infection of respiratory system has good scope in Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy fights against the organism which is responsible for this and helps patient heal from this infection quickly and gently. It also helps build patients immunity and prevents this infection from worsening or its future complications.
Few homoeopathic medicines which help in such conditions are antimonium tartaricum, natrum sulphuricum, phosphorus etc.
Tuberculosis being a chronic condition which happens in people with low immunity. Deep seated chronic conditions like tuberculosis can be treated with Homoeopathy alone. Homeopathy will fight against the bacteria and also cure TB from within gently and permanently. Tuberculosis of all the organs can be cured by homeopathy, not just the repsiratory organs.
Few homeopathic medicines which help in such cases are Kali carbonica, phosphorus, pulsatilla nigricans etc.
Infections like influenza can be cured by homeopathic medicines. Homoeopathy works great on acute infections and so does influenza. It heals the patients out of this infection and prevents further complications as well.
Few homeopathic medicines which cures such patients are arsenicum album, belladona, eupatorium perfoliatum etc.
