Is Pneumonia Contagious? Everything You Need to Know

Pneumonia is a kind of infection in your lungs brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Pneumonia can result in fluid or pus in your lungs and swelling of your lung tissue (inflammation). Viral pneumonia typically goes away independently, whereas bacterial pneumonia worsens before getting better. One or both lungs may be affected by pneumonia. Bilateral or double pneumonia is the medical term for pneumonia affecting both lungs. In today's blog, we will find an answer to the question- is pneumonia contagious?

Also Read: Understanding the 4 Stages of Pneumonia: Symptoms and Treatment

Is Pneumonia Contagious?  

Some forms of pneumonia are contagious or pass from one person to another. People with pneumonia typically spread the disease by coughing, sneezing, or talking, which releases respiratory droplets into the air. Close contacts may then breathe in these droplets.  Less frequently, pneumonia can be contracted by touching your mouth or nose after handling something with the germ. Some people have a higher chance of developing pneumonia than others, and not everyone exposed to it will acquire it.  

Also Read: Understand Pneumonia, a Dangerous Coronavirus Complication

Types of Pneumonia

The cause of pneumonia affects how contagious it is. Here are some things to know about the various varieties.

1. Viral pneumonia 

Viral pneumonia is a possible complexity of a virus. The influenza virus, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are a few of the viruses that can cause pneumonia. When an infected individual sneezes, coughs, or leaves germs on a doorknob or other surface, it can spread to other people. About one-third of all pneumonia diagnoses each year are due to viral pneumonia. A person is no longer contagious once symptoms (such as fever) go away.

2. Bacterial Pneumonia

Coughing, sneezing, and general close contact all contribute to the spread of bacterial pneumonia from one person to another. Streptococcus pneumoniae, often known as pneumococcus, is one of the most prevalent types known to cause bacterial pneumonia.  This pneumonia can spread to another person before the initial patient exhibits symptoms. These bacteria can infect both large and small parts of the lungs. You may still be contagious after starting antibiotic treatment for a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia. In addition to pneumonia, this pathogen can result in Ear infections, Sinus infections, and Meningitis.

3. Walking pneumonia

Walking pneumonia is an instance of bacterial pneumonia. It originates with the Mycoplasma pneumonia bacterium. It is known as walking pneumonia because, in certain situations, the symptoms may be minor enough for a person to carry on with daily activities as usual. People under 40 who live and work in close quarters are most likely to get walking pneumonia. One reason walking pneumonia is so prevalent among schoolchildren is because of the close confines they share. Typically, the incubation phase lasts one to four weeks. Even after starting therapy, a person with walking pneumonia may continue to spread the illness for a few weeks. Walking pneumonia often manifests as one or more symptoms, including Cold-like symptoms, A low-grade fever, and a Cough. However, they may vary from person to person.

4. Fungal pneumonia

Inhaling fungal spores, frequently present in soil and sporadically in bird droppings, can cause fungal pneumonia. While these fungus spores can swiftly result in pneumonia, the condition can go undetected for months, years, or even decades in some patients. Others will succumb to illness rather soon. Valley fever is a typical case of fungal pneumonia that might linger undetected. Most people who live in the southwest of the United States will eventually come into contact with the fungi that cause Valley Fever. Despite being exposed, some people never become ill. Pneumonia caused by fungi is not contagious and primarily affects immune-compromised individuals.

Also Read: How to Identify Pneumonia in Newborns

How Does Pneumonia Spread?

When a person coughs and expels the bacterial or viral illnesses that caused the illness, the germs that cause pneumonia can spread. The virus or bacteria-carrying droplets may touch a common surface, such as a table, phone, or computer. The droplets could be inhaled, entering your respiratory system. Depending on the type and how it was acquired, a person may spread pneumonia for various reasons and at different times. Furthermore, some forms of pneumonia spread far more easily than others. Mycoplasma and mycobacterium are two instances of this illness's highly contagious types. A patient with pneumonia who begins taking antibiotics is only contagious for the following 24 to 48 hours. This may take longer for some types of microbes, such as those that cause the disease tuberculosis. In that situation, a person can continue to be contagious for up to two weeks after beginning antibiotic treatment.  The infectious phase of viral pneumonia begins to end as soon as the symptoms do. Fever is a case in point here. Remember that even after becoming non-contagious, someone with pneumonia may cough occasionally for a few weeks.

Is Pneumonia Fatal?

Pneumonia can affect one or both of your lungs or spread from one to the other. It results in the inflammation of the alveoli or lung air sacs. Breathing is challenging because of this. Doctors frequently use antibiotics to treat pneumonia, yet it continues to be the most common infectious cause of mortality in children under the age of five worldwide. Similar to the flu, pneumonia can be fatal for elderly patients. People who smoke and those who have asthma are more likely to contract any of the several types of illness. However, bacterial infection is the most typical cause among adults in the United States.

Also Read: White Lung Pneumonia: Here’s What Experts Want You to Know

Prevention of Pneumonia

You may take steps to avoid contracting pneumonia in the first place and stop the sickness from spreading once you have it. These suggestions are comparable to those you could make to prevent the illness.

• Although using a tissue to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing is recommended, not everyone can reach a tissue when desired. The inside of your elbow works best for covering your mouth or nose if you want to cough or sneeze and there isn't a tissue around.
• Washing your hands with soap and water is frequently beneficial to your health, regardless of whether you are ill or in good health. When you wash your hands when you're sick, you lessen the germs you can transfer.
• Limit your interaction with others if you have a cold or are recovering from pneumonia. If you're well, stay away from folks who have pneumonia.
• In the United States, four pneumonia vaccinations are now on the market. Children under the age of two, adults over the age of 65, and people of any age who are immunocompromised or battle with specific chronic health issues should all get one of these vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Conclusion-

This article answers the important question-is pneumonia contagious? Pneumonia comes in various forms, but not all of them are contagious. When bacteria or viruses cause the infection, pneumonitis is contagious. On the other hand, aspiration pneumonia (induced by ingesting food or an item into the airways) and fungal pneumonia cannot be transferred from one person to another.  You can lessen your risk of pneumonia by staying away from ill people and remembering to wash your hands frequently. Even though pneumonia is frequently easily cured at home, sometimes waiting for medical attention might have catastrophic consequences.