Breathing involves air moving through the trachea, bronchi, and reaching tiny sacs called alveoli in the lungs. These alveoli, around 600 million in number, cover a surface area comparable to a tennis court. Their thin walls facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Pneumonia, an infection affecting alveoli, fills them with fluid, hindering gas exchange. Various pathogens, mainly viruses or bacteria, cause pneumonia by invading the body through droplets or contact. The body's defense mechanisms, such as the mucociliary escalator and specialized cells like macrophages, combat these invaders.
Pneumonia symptoms include rapid breathing due to increased carbon dioxide levels and coughing to expel fluid from the lungs. Antibiotics help manage pneumonia, aiding in the body's recovery. While healthy adults can recover at home, certain groups face severe pneumonia, necessitating hospitalization.
Prevention measures include a healthy lifestyle, vaccines, regular handwashing, and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
Vocabulary:
• Trachea: The windpipe, which carries air to and from the lungs.
• Bronchi: Tubes that branch off from the trachea, connecting the windpipe to the lungs.
• Alveoli: Small air sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange.
• Pathogens: Microorganisms causing disease, such as viruses or bacteria.
• Antibiotics: Medications used to treat bacterial infections.
• Inflammation: The body's response to infection or injury, resulting in swelling and pain.
• Vaccines: Preparations that stimulate the immune system to produce immunity against specific diseases.
Source: Ted-Ed