What is the history of anti-pneumococcal therapy?
A novel technique called antiserum therapy soon began, and by 1913, anti-pneumococcal serum therapy, if given early in disease progression, was able to reduce mortality from 25% to 7.5%. However, this treatment method was slow, costly, and time-consuming. In the 1930s, the first antibacterial agent, sulfapyridine, was introduced.
What is the history of pneumonia?
Later studies determined the pathogenic potential of the bacteria, identifying it as the causative agent in pneumonia infection in humans. In the late 1800s, Christian Gram used S. pneumonia to establish his cell wall staining technique, which is now known as Gram staining, and identified the bacterium as gram-positive.
When did antibiotics stop being used to treat pneumonia?
Pneumonia as a Public Health Initiative. Use of antibiotics as a treatment strategy for pneumonia continued throughout the 1900s. However, widespread overuse of antibiotics led to the creation of penicillin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumonia, which was of great concern to the medical community.
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication.
How did William Henry Harrison get pneumonia?
The pneumonia was thought to be a direct result of a cold the 68-year-old Harrison caught while delivering a numbingly long Inaugural Address (at 8,445 words, the longest in history) in wet, freezing weather without a hat, overcoat or gloves.
What president died of pneumonia while in office?
Harrison went to bed at the end of inauguration day with a bad cold that soon developed into a fatal case of pneumonia.
What disease did William Henry Harrison have?
Historians have long maintained that pneumonia killed William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) just 1 month after he became the ninth president of the United States.
What were William Henry Harrison's last words?
Harrison's last words were for his doctor. “I wish you to understand the true principles of government. I wish them carried out,” he said. His vice president, John Tyler, would immediately face a daunting task in that area.
What president was an only child?
Although there were no only-children, three presidents only had one sibling - Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan. On average the presidents had a little over 5 siblings.
Which president died from eating cherries?
Zachary TaylorZachary TaylorBornNovember 24, 1784 Barboursville, Virginia, U.S.DiedJuly 9, 1850 (aged 65) Washington, U.S.Cause of deathStomach diseaseResting placeZachary Taylor National Cemetery23 more rows
Which president died from not wearing a coat?
William Henry HarrisonPersonal detailsBornFebruary 9, 1773 Charles City County, Virginia, British AmericaDiedApril 4, 1841 (aged 68) Washington, D.C., U.S.Cause of deathPneumonia56 more rows
Was William Henry Harrison on the Titanic?
William boarded the Titanic at Southampton (ticket number 112059) with Mr Ismay and Ismay's valet Richard Fry. He occupied cabin B94. Mr Harrison died in the sinking. His body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#110).
What president got sick at inauguration?
On March 26, Harrison developed a cold. According to the prevailing medical misconception of that time, it was believed that his illness was directly caused by the bad weather at his inauguration; however, Harrison's illness did not arise until more than three weeks after the event.
Which president drowned in bathtub?
William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) was the 27th president of the United States....William Howard TaftPersonal detailsBornSeptember 15, 1857 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.DiedMarch 8, 1930 (aged 72) Washington, D.C., U.S.Political partyRepublican13 more rows
Which president got stuck in a bathtub?
President William Howard TaftGeorge Washington crossed the Delaware in the dead of night. Abraham Lincoln saved the Union. And President William Howard Taft, a man of great stature . . . well, he got stuck in a bathtub.
What was William Henry Harrison's famous quote?
There is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power. I contend that the strongest of all governments is that which is most free.
Saturday, March 13, 2021
by Denise Weimer These days, we’re hearing a lot about pneumonia that develops from COVID. A good bit of my writing is set in the first two decades of the 1800s, and several of my characters face sickness of this sort.
Early Treatment of Pneumonia and Bronchitis
by Denise Weimer These days, we’re hearing a lot about pneumonia that develops from COVID. A good bit of my writing is set in the first two decades of the 1800s, and several of my characters face sickness of this sort.
What is pneumonic coughing?
Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs that produces coughing, fever, chills, muscle aches, and difficulty breathing in those who suffer from it. The pneumonic infection has been noted throughout human history, with mentions of the disease appearing during early Greek civilization. However, despite our long history with the disease, ...
When was sulfapyridine first used?
Although sulfapyridine gained a lot of notoriety when it was used to treat Winston Churchill’s bacterial pneumonia in 1942, this agent was quickly set aside upon the discovery of the antibiotic penicillin in the early 1940s. Pneumonia - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology.
What is the most common cause of pneumonia?
The bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia is one of the most common causes of pneumonia throughout the world. The Discovery of the bacteria occurred in 1881 when French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur, and American microbiologist, George Sternberg, each independently identified lancet-shaped bacteria in saliva.
What is the cell wall of Streptococcus pneumonia?
The cell wall of Streptococcus pneumonia is encapsulated, meaning that it is surrounded by a thick layer of polysaccharides. This protective layer is associated with increased pathogenicity and limits the way in which the immune system can fight off the bacteria. Encapsulated bacteria can only be destroyed by the immune system via B cell production ...
What was the leading cause of death in the late 1800s?
Pneumonia as a public health initiative. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, pneumonia was the leading cause of death due to infectious disease and the third leading cause of death overall. Treatment of patients with pneumonia became a serious public health initiative.
What is the Millennium Development Goal 4?
For example, the World Health Organization’s Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) is a worldwide initiative to decrease the under age 5 mortality rate by two-thirds during the period of 1990 and 2015.
Is Streptococcus pneumonia resistant to penicillin?
However, widespread overuse of antibiotics led to the creation of penicillin-re sistant strains of Streptococcus pneumonia, which was of great concern to the medical community. Today, many pneumonia-causing pathogens, particularly those found in hospital settings, are resistant to all but the strongest forms of antibiotics.
When was pneumonia first discovered?
Symptoms of pneumonia were first described by the Greek physician Hippocrates around 460 BC. Although it carried many names and was often identified as a sickness, it wasn’t until the 19th century that scholars were able to identify pneumonia as its own infection, and not just a symptom of other diseases. In 1875, German pathologist Edwin Klebs ...
How to prevent pneumonia in children?
There are many ways to prevent pneumonia, but the most effective is receiving a pneumonia vaccine. Children will often be vaccinated against certain kinds of pneumonia when they are babies, and other demographics may be recommended the vaccine based on age and circumstance.
What is the name of the disease that causes coughing, fever, and shortness of breath?
Pneumonia is a vaccine-preventable pulmonary infection that causes coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and in some cases even death. The Winter Fever, as pneumonia was once known, has been traced back through history. Symptoms of pneumonia were first described by the Greek physician Hippocrates around 460 BC.
How many different types of pneumococcal bacteria are there?
Currently, there are two different vaccines to help prevent pneumococcal disease. One, PCV13, protects against 13 different types of pneumococcal bacteria, and the other, PPSV23, protects against an additional 23 strains.
Is walking pneumonia dangerous?
Other variants of the disease may cause mild forms of pneumonia also known as walking pneumonia. The pulmonary infection can be especially dangerous for those with compromised or weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, sick or immunosuppressed.
What is the best medicine for pneumonia?
It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic. Cough medicine.
How to get rid of pneumonia?
Get plenty of rest. Don't go back to school or work until after your temperature returns to normal and you stop coughing up mucus. Even when you start to feel better, be careful not to overdo it. Because pneumonia can recur, it's better not to jump back into your routine until you are fully recovered.
What is the test for pneumonia?
This measures the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection.
What to do if pneumonia isn't clearing?
If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs. Pleural fluid culture. A fluid sample is taken by putting a needle between your ribs from the pleural area and analyzed to help determine the type of infection.
What tests are done to determine if you have pneumonia?
If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend the following tests: Blood tests . Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible. Chest X-ray.
How long does it take for a person to feel tired after pneumonia?
Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more. Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia, your age and your overall health. The options include: Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia.
Can you take cough suppressant with pneumonia?
In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the-counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest. Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort.
What to do if you have pneumonia in the hospital?
If your pneumonia is so severe that you are treated in the hospital, you may be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy, and possibly other breathing treatments.
How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?
Some people feel better and are able to return to their normal routines within a week. For other people, it can take a month or more. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward full recovery and to avoid relapse.
What is the best medicine for cough and fever?
Most people can manage their symptoms such as fever and cough at home by following these steps: Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
How to keep germs from spreading?
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, promptly dispose of tissues in a closed waste container and wash your hands often .
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Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's home run record
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World Trade Center, then the world's tallest building, opens in New York City
The “Twin Towers” of the World Trade Center officially open in New York City. The buildings replaced the Empire State Building as the world’s tallest building. Though they would only hold that title for a year, they remained a dominant feature of the city’s skyline and were ...read more
Microsoft founded
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Movie critic Roger Ebert dies
On April 4, 2013, one of America’s best-known and most influential movie critics, Roger Ebert, who reviewed movies for the Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years and on TV for 31 years, dies at age 70 after battling cancer. In 1975, Ebert started co-hosting a movie review program on TV ...read more
Second Battle of the Somme ends
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History
Discovery
- In 1875, German pathologist Edwin Klebs observed pneumonia bacteria under a microscope for the first time, and this was a huge step forward in the fight against the pulmonary disease. Then, in the 1880s, Carl Friedlander and Albert Frankel identified two of the most common bacterial causes of pneumonia.
Society and culture
- Although pneumonia mortality rates have declined due to antibiotics, the infection is still a serious global problem. It is estimated that $17 billion is spent globally on community-acquired pneumonia each year. In 2012, the United States estimated that the costs of treating pneumonia was somewhere around $20 billion.
Causes
- Pneumonia infection is mainly viral or bacterial. In the majority of cases, it is caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other variants of the disease may cause mild forms of pneumonia also known as walking pneumonia. The pulmonary infection can be especially dangerous for those with compromised or weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, sick …
Treatment
- The Winter Fever can be contracted anywhere: work settings, school, grocery stores, and even hospitals or nursing homes. It is contracted by breathing infected air particles released by an infected person nearby. Antibiotics are often the best treatment for pneumonia, and they have a high cure rate for bacterial strains.
Prevention
- There are many ways to prevent pneumonia, but the most effective is receiving a pneumonia vaccine. Children will often be vaccinated against certain kinds of pneumonia when they are babies, and other demographics may be recommended the vaccine based on age and circumstance. Currently, there are two different vaccines to help prevent pneumococcal disease…
Diagnosis
- To learn more about pneumonia as well as the vaccination options available, please see our pneumonia portal.