Prognosis
The prognosis for outpatient pneumonia (pneumonia) is quite good, as the mortality rate is significantly below 5%. In comparison, the mortality rate of hospital-acquired pneumonia is 70%. On the one hand, this is due to the different pathogen spectrum: hospital germs are usually more resistant. On the other hand, it is due to the fact that hospital-acquired pneumonia usually occurs as a superinfection; it is thus acquired in addition to an already existing disease because the immune system is already weakened.
Vaccination against pneumonia
There is no vaccination against pneumonia, only against a specific bacterium that can cause pneumonia. These bacteria are the so-called pneumococci. According to the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO), the vaccination is recommended for all infants and toddlers as part of basic immunization.
It consists of a dead vaccine (PCV13), which is administered in three partial vaccinations and is intended to protect against 13 different strains of pneumococci. The first dose is administered at the age of 2 months, the second at the age of 4 months and the third at the age of 11 to 14 months. In premature babies a fourth partial vaccination is added. Vaccinations against varicella, measles, HiB and influenza can also protect against pneumonia.
History
The so-called legionella pneumonia got its name from its first appearance at a meeting of former legionaries. One after the other, they were suffering from cough and fever. They were infected in the shower because the water in the shower was not heated high enough and thus the pathogens, the so-called legionella, were not killed. Inhaling these pathogens into the lungs caused the inflammation.
Anatomy of air conduction sections
- Right lung – Pulmo dexter
- Left lung – Pulmo sinister
- Nasal cavity – Cavitas nasi
- Oral cavity – Cavitas oris
- Throat – Pharynx
- Larynx – Larynx
- Trachea (approx. 20 cm) – Trachea
- Forking of the trachea – Bifurcatio tracheae
- Right main bronchus – Bronchus principalis dexter
- Left main bronchus – Bronchus principalis sinister
- Tip of the lung – Apex pulmonis
- Upper lobe – Lobus superior
- Oblique lung cleft – Fissura obliqua
- Lower lobe – Lobus inferior
- Lower edge of the lung – Margo inferior
- Middle lobe (only for the right lung) – Lobus medius
- Horizontal cleft lung (between upper and middle lobe on the right) – Fissura horizontalis
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