Pneumonia in simple word is a lung infection linked to hospitalization and mortality. Pneumonia is one of the major causes of death across the globe. During pneumonia one or both of the lungs are inflamed due to presence of pus or fluid in air sacs. Patient suffers from cough with pus or phlegm, chills, fever and short of breath during this lung infection. Generally, bacteria are considered the root cause of this infection but many other infectious organisms can result in this infection. Patient of pneumonia needs aided breathing due to the flooded air sacs. In worse conditions patient needs to be put on ventilator. On the contrary, some ventilated patients though not admitted with pneumonia also get caught by pneumonia due to mechanical ventilation.
What Are Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
Symptoms and signs of pneumonia vary from mild to extreme depending on the microorganism causing infection as well as age and immunity level of the patient. Generally, pneumonia shows same symptoms as of flu and cold but these symptoms last longer. Other symptoms of pneumonia are:
- Chest pain during breathing or coughing
- Shortening of breath
- Cough with phlegm
- Fatigue, sweating, fever, shaking chills
- Vomiting, nausea or diarrhea
When to Put A Pneumonia Patient on Ventilator
Patient suffering from mild lung infection can recover with medicine and supply of oxygen. But in case where patient is unable to breathe completely or lungs are at risk of damage during normal breathing; doctors can decide to put patient on mechanical ventilators. Mechanical ventilation becomes a necessity when patient is not able to maintain required level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood stream. Also, when patient is not in senses to handle secretions the only solution is mechanical ventilation to fend off aspiration of secretions inside the lungs.
What Is The Survival Rate Ventilated Patient With Pneumonia
Ventilators help patients in fast recovery especially when used for a limited time. But in case when patient needs life support help for an unpredictable period, this help becomes a curse rather than a blessing. Patients hospitalized due to mild attack of pneumonia can go home safe after getting proper and timely medical treatment. Short-term ventilation is enough for such patients. Doctors remove artificial breathing support as soon as they find patient able to breathe at his own.
However, in severe case where patient is admitted to the intensive care the mortality rate is substantially high. It is seen that approximately 15 – 50% patient fail to survive in ICU due to pneumonia even on ventilator. In severe cases of pneumonia when the lungs of patient are too much damaged to ever work properly, ventilator becomes a life-time option. In such cases it is important to disclose the facts about the patient’s condition to the family members and know their consent about whether to put the patient on mechanical ventilation or not. This discussion is especially important for the patients whose lungs are not in position to breathe again without any lifesaving support or ventilator.
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