Pneumonia is caused by the inhalation of infected microorganisms (tiny, single-celled living organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa) spread through contact with an infected person. The microorganisms enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes. If the body's resistance is down, the natural process of fighting off diseases is weakened and the microorganisms are free to spread into the lungs and the lungs'...
Vaccinations are, at least in the opinion of most doctors, an important part of life and incredibly important in the maintenance of health.... Read more »
With the start of the major league baseball season, I’m thinking about the Washington National’s first baseman Dmitri Young. He was... Read more »
While most patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease do well with amino-salicylates that are extremely safe such as Asacol and... Read more »
Until cancer, I’d led an uneventful life, health-wise. One small broken bone in my hand was the extent of the injuries incurred through... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Hepatitis BAbout 2 billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide, and each year 1 million people die, mostly due to... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Dozens of antibiotics are available for treating pneumonia, but selecting the best drug is sometimes difficult. Patients with pneumonia need an... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Antibiotic and Antiviral Drug ClassesBeta-LactamsBeta-lactam antibiotics share common chemical features. They include penicillins, cephalosporins,... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
PrognosisBetween 5 and 10 million people get pneumonia in the United States each year, and more than 1 million people are hospitalized due to the... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Diagnostic Difficulties in Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). It is important to determine whether the cause of CAP is a bacterium, atypical... Read more »