Pneumonia is a general diagnostic  term that is used to describe serious infection in the lungs.  Its source can be from over thirty causes.  Viruses, bacteria, mycoplasmas (a type of bacteria without cell walls), and fungi are among the list of causes.  Mycoplasmas tend to be more resistant to many common antibiotics.  Until 1936, pneumonia was the number one cause of death in the United States.  Once antibiotics were used as a routine part of pneumonia care, the death rate began to drop.

BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA

In 2004, pneumonia and influenza combined ranked as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, with 60, 207 people dying of pneumonia.  Pneumoccal pneumonia is the most serious form of pneumonia and is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.  The onset of pneumoccal pneumonia can vary from gradual to sudden.  Symptoms include chills, chest pain, sweats, cough with rust or green colored mucus as well as increased breathing and pulse rates.

VIRAL PNEUMONIA

Viral causes account for half of the pneumonia cases.  These tend to cause less severe illness than bacterial pneumonia.  Viral pneumonia symptoms mimic influenza to include headache, dry cough, fever, muscle pain, and weakness.

MYCOPLASMAL PNEUMONIA 

Mycoplasmas produce milder and more widespread symptoms, most commonly a cough.  Many of the cases of pneumonia in school-aged children are caused by mycoplasmas.  This source is the cause of adult pneumonia in 15-50% of all cases.

MORE FREQUENT DENTAL HYGIENE CARE

Pathogens that cause periodontal (gum)  disease and pneumonia are both present in dental plaque biofilm as well as in reservoirs in the mouth.  Bacterial pneumonia can be traced to the inhalation of bacterial colonies from the mouth into the upper airway.  For this reason, patients with current acute and chronic respiratory conditions should be targeted for more frequent and intensive dental hygiene care.  This is in an effort to reduce the bacterial count in the mouth.