Pulse oximetry may be essential when a patient is very unwell and can be carried out by medical professionals.Ī sputum sample may also be taken. This involves placing a clip with a sensor on one of the fingers. The levels of oxygen in the blood can be assessed with pulse oximetry. This is because it will show that there is inflammation from the infection in the two lungs. This is more likely to happen to very young children or people 70 and older.Ī doctor can diagnose pneumonia based on the symptoms the patient described.Ī chest x-ray or a CT scan can confirm that a person has double pneumonia. When there are low levels of oxygen in the blood, this usually indicates that a person needs a ventilator to help them breathe. Pneumonia can lead to the failure of organs to function correctly, such as: Pleurisy can cause chest pain during a deep breath or cough and increase the risk of getting water in the lungs. Pleurisy occurs when the lining between the lungs and chest wall becomes inflamed. Lung abscessesĪ lung abscess, usually caused by bacterial pneumonia, is when pockets of pus form inside or around the lungs. Pleural effusions are sometimes called “water on the lungs.” This occurs when too much fluid exists in the narrow space between the lungs and chest wall. Getting medical care for double pneumonia early on can help prevent sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to organ failure. Sepsis, sometimes known as “blood poisoning,” is when the lung infection spreads into the bloodstream. Double pneumonia can lead to complications, such as the following: Sepsis Most people, however, can fully recover from double pneumonia at home. If only one segment in each of the two lungs is affected, double pneumonia may be less severe than if multiple lung segments in one or two lungs are affected.ĭouble pneumonia, like single pneumonia, may lead to a person needing to be hospitalized to receive a higher level of care and breathing support. Whether a person has underlying risk factors How many segments of the lungs are affected However, it depends on a few factors, such as: This leads to double pneumonia.ĭouble pneumonia may be more severe than pneumonia that affects one lung. If they make their way into the lungs and the alveoli, the body responds by sending immune cells to the alveoli in both lungs, causing inflammation and a buildup of fluid and pus. The body has mechanisms that prevent bacteria, viruses, and fungi from getting into the lungs. Pneumonia can also be caused by aspiration when foreign or harmful substances, including food, are swallowed incorrectly. Fungal pneumonia usually occurs in people who are immunocompromised. Some bacteria, such as streptococcus pneumonia and Group A streptococcus, can cause double pneumonia.³ Fungiįungi are a much rarer cause of pneumonia. Viruses such as the common cold, influenza, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause double pneumonia. Pneumonia is sometimes also classified as either community-acquired, healthcare-acquired, or ventilator-acquired, depending on where a person developed pneumonia.ĭouble pneumonia can be caused by coming into contact with the following: A virus Since the causes are the same, there isn’t any way of confirming whether someone will get single or double pneumonia without a chest x-ray or CT scan. Double pneumonia has the exact causes of pneumonia in one lung.
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