I can’t believe I’m this old and still can’t seem to get this right. My mother-in-law (she’s 80 and lives with us) is in the hospital with pneumonia, apparently developing it rather quickly. She has had several trips to the ER about her back (sciatica) recently, and someone said she could have gotten it there.
What I can’t seem to get through my head is which one is contagious … it’s viral, right? I don’t know which one she has yet (hubby finding out now), but if it’s viral then my next question is going to be what should I do to protect my kids and me, who are home with her all day lol.
Tags: Bacterial, Between, Difference, Pneumonia, Viral, What's
The most common way you catch pneumonia bacterial or viral is to breathe infected air droplets from someone who has pneumonia. Another cause is an improperly cleaned air conditioner. Yet another source of infection in your lungs is spread by an infection from somewhere else in your body, such as your kidney. Your risk of catching pneumonia is determined by the specific bacteria, virus, or fungus, the number of organisms you inhale, and your body’s ability to fight infections.
Germs are spread both by aerosolized droplets that you breathe in (such as from a sneeze), and through body fluids left on surfaces like counter tops and door handles. If you avoid people who are coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands frequently, you can reduce your chances of catching a virus.
I would suggest keeping everything sprayed with a antibacterial agent of some sort, but make sure it does not hurt your mother-in-law. Cleaning everything with Pine Sol, strict hand washing, and make sure your mother in law covers her mouth when coughing or sneezing. You could also buy face masks and gloves for you and your children until she is no longer contagious. I would ask the doctor also how long your mother in law will be contagious
Hope this helps.
I think both kinds are contagious. There are several ways you can get pneumonia. It’s all explained right here:http://www.medicinenet.com/pneumonia/art…
In a bacterial infection , like strep, you can take antibiotics to get rid of the infection. In a viral infection they usually have to run their course as in a cold.
Both are contagious but once you start on antibiotics you are no longer contagious after 48 hours.
ones harder 2 get rid of
Viral is started by a virus and bacterial is started by a bacteria. Usually, viral is started by a virus and then the bacteria infect the lungs secondarily. Viral pneumonia is very contagious because the person with it coughs and spreads the virus rather easily.