Pneumonia and Other Acute Respiratory Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Insurance

Pneumonia and acute respiratory infections impact many people worldwide. Early recognition of pneumonia symptoms is crucial. Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs, which can fill with fluid or pus. This is a frequent disease in India with increased prevalence, observed in children and the elderly population. According to the WHO, pneumonia accounts for 15% of all deaths in children under five worldwide, with 7.2 million severe cases occurring in India.

Pneumonia Symptoms

Pneumonia is not a disease that has specific signs and symptoms; instead, the symptoms are usually like that of a common cold or flu. Key pneumonia symptoms include:

• Cough with sputum mucoid or purulent sputum
• Fever
• Chills
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain in the chest during breathing or when coughing
• Fatigue

Other Types of Acute Respiratory Infections 

Apart from pneumonia, there are several types of acute respiratory infections.

Acute respiratory infections refer to a class of diseases that affect the respiratory tract, including the nostrils, throat, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. Some common acute respiratory infections include: –

• Bronchitis – An inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs.
• Influenza – A viral infection that attacks the respiratory system, commonly known as the flu.
• Common Cold – A viral infection of the nose and throat that causes symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and cough.
• Bronchiolitis Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – An infection that causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, primarily affecting infants and young children.

Causes of Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Infections

Pneumonia and acute respiratory infections can result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Typically, bacterial pneumonia is caused by streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenza. Influenza, RSV and coronaviruses such as SARS can cause viral pneumonia as well. In rare cases, pneumonia symptoms can present in immunocompromised patients due to a fungal infection.

Factors Increasing the Risk of Pneumonia

Factors increasing the risk of pneumonia include:

• Long-term conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes)
• Smoking
• A weakened immune system
  

Pneumonia Treatment Options

Treatment of pneumonia and acute respiratory infection is based on the causative agent and the severity of the disease. Pneumonia caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics, whereas symptoms of viral pneumonia may require antiviral drugs. Symptomatic care includes bed rest, plenty of fluids and the use of over-the-counter drugs for pneumonia symptoms such as fever and cough. 

In severe cases, hospitalisation may be necessary, and treatment could involve –

• IV antibiotics or antiviral drugs
• Oxygen therapy
• Positive pressure ventilation in patients with respiratory failure

Insurance Coverage for Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Infections

The expenses that are incurred in treating pneumonia symptoms in India are not fixed and can be affected by the level of the disease and the facility. Insurance for pneumonia patients can be helpful in such cases. Hospitalisation for pneumonia, on average, may cost between ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 or even more. Complications that may require intensive care can significantly increase the costs.

Benefits of Health Insurance for Pneumonia

Insurance for pneumonia patients helps manage treatment costs and is essential to have. Key benefits of insurance include coverage for –

• Emergency transportation through the use of an ambulance
• Outpatient department (OPD) consultations
• Costs associated with in-patient care, such as the cost of a bed, the cost of nursing and the cost of various tests done in the hospital
• Aftercare and follow-up appointments

Health Insurance for pneumonia also covers other respiratory diseases that may develop due to pneumonia and its treatments without subjecting the patient to expensive medical bills. This coverage makes sure that people do not incur a huge cost when it comes to the treatment of different respiratory illnesses. 

Note that insurance policies might contain limitations like sub-limits, waiting periods, and exclusions. Usually, the claim process consists of alerting the insurer, sending medical records, and either cashless treatment at network hospitals or hospital bills for payment. Always review policy information for specific terms.

Key Takeaways

Pneumonia and other acute respiratory infections are critical diseases that need proper and efficient management. The first step in managing these conditions is to identify the symptoms, know the causes, and finally identify the treatment options.

Moreover, there’s nothing more reassuring than having adequate health insurance for pneumonia and other types of respiratory infections to ensure access to quality healthcare services. This way, you are always informed about such diseases and can stay safe. Platforms like PhonePe simplify the process, making it easy to secure comprehensive health insurance for pneumonia and other respiratory infections, ensuring you’re always prepared and protected.