Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs due to infection is called pneumonia.
Pneumonia is caused by viruses or bacteria.Viral pneumonia is due to
adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus or a coxsackie virus. The most
common bacterial pneumonia is Pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumonia may
also be caused by a mycoplasma (an organism that is intermediate between
a bacterium and a virus)

Pneumonia Symptoms and Signs

Symptoms and signs include fever, chills, shortness
of breath and a cough that produces yellow – green sputum and occasionally
blood.

Pneumonia Treatment

The drugs prescribed depend on the causative microorganism.
They may include antibiotic drugs or antifungal drugs. Aspirin or paracetamol
may be given to reduce fever. Oxygen therapy and artificial ventilation may
be required.

Tuberculosis (TB)

It is an infections disease, caused in humans by the bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculae. It was once common world wide and was a
killer disease. People infected with HIV are highly susceptible to
tuberculosis and the disease is becoming more common again in
communities with high rates of HIV infection.

Tuberculosis Causes

Infection is caused by airborne droplets (produced by coughing
or sneezing). The bacteria breathed into the lungs multiply to form an
infected “focus”. In a high proportion of cases, the body’s immune system
then halts the infection and healing occurs. The infection can also occur in
intestines, bones and kidneys.

Tuberculosis Symptoms

The main symptom includes coughing (sometimes bringing up blood) chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and sweating (at night) poor appetite and weight loss. The main complications of tuberculosis of the lungs
are pleural effusion. (Collection of fluid between the lung and the chest wall).