Task 3. Read the text and answer the questions.
Pneumonia is an infection of the pulmonary tissue. It affects one or both lungs and is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to discovery of antibiotics, one-third of the people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection.
Pneumonia can be community acquired or hospital acquired. Some cases of pneumonia are contracted by breathing in small droplets that contain the organisms causing pneumonia. These droplets get into the air when an infected person coughs and sneezes. In other cases, pneumonia is caused when bacteria or viruses that are normally present in the mouth, throat, or nose accidentally enter the lungs.
During sleep it is quite common for people to aspirate secretions from the mouth, throat, or nose. The body’s reflex response (coughing back up the secretions) and immune system will normally prevent the aspirated organisms from causing pneumonia. However, if a person is in a weakened condition from another illness, a severe pneumonia can develop. People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users, and those who have suffered from stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population.
Once organisms enter the lungs, they usually settle in the air sacs of the lung where they rapidly grow in number. This area of the lung then becomes filled with fluid and pus as the body attempts to fight off infection.
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Most people with pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold, which are then followed by high fever, chills, and cough with sputum production. The sputum is usually discoloured and sometimes bloody. Patients may become short of breath. Chest pain may develop if the outer aspects of the lung are involved. The pain is usually sharp and worsens when taking a deep breath, known as a pleuritic pain.
Children and babies who develop pneumonia often don’t have any specific signs of a chest infection, but develop a fever, appear quite ill, and can become lethargic. Elderly people may also have few symptoms of pneumonia.
The compulsory method of making a diagnosis is chest X-ray. The chest X-ray presents diffuse patches throughout the lungs or consolidation in the lobe. A sputum culture helps to identify a causative organism. A complete blood cell count should be done. It reveals that white blood cells and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are elevated.
The patient should keep high-calorie, high-protein diet with small frequent meals. The treatment includes antibiotics, bronchodilators, and mucolitic agents.
1.What are the causative agents of pneumonia?
2.Describe the ways of contracting this infection.
3.What is a pathological mechanism of developing pneumonia?
4.What patients are affected more often and why?
5.List common symptoms of pneumonia.
6.Tell us about clinical symptoms of pneumonia in children and
babies.
7.What diagnostic methods do you know?
8.What preparations are used to treat pneumonia?
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Task 4. Are these statements true (T) or false (F)? If the statement is false, correct the statement.
1.Pneumonia is an infection of the upper respiratory tract.
2.Its causative agents are usually viruses and bacteria.
3.Pneumonia is always a hospital acquired infection.
4.Elderly people may have insignificant symptoms of infection.
5.Chest X-ray is necessary to make a diagnosis of pneumonia.
GRAMMAR
1.Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. (usually)
2.The body’s reflex response will prevent the aspirated organisms from causing pneumonia. (normally)
3.Microorganisms settle in the air sacs of the lung where they grow in number. (usually, rapidly)
4.Most people with pneumonia have symptoms of a cold. (initially)
5.The pain is sharp and worsens when taking a deep breath.
(usually)
WORD-BUILDING
-ful |
pain, help, care, use |
painful |
|
|
|
-less |
pain, use, care, help |
|
|
|
|
-able |
change, understand, |
|
|
comfort, suit |
|
|
|
|
-y |
health, salt, guilt, risk |
|
|
|
|
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WORK IN PAIRS
Task 7. Ask your partner about any medical terms relating to the topic and answer his/her questions.
Task 8. Retell the text using the format.
1.Pneumonia is …
2.It is caused by …
3.It is transmitted through …
4.The patients at risk are …
5.This disease is characterized by …
6.The patient experiences such symptoms as …
7.The main complications of pneumonia are …
8.The diagnostic methods include …
9.The treatment of pneumonia is aimed at …
10.Preventive measures are the following …
Task 9. Discuss with a partner any information you know about the topic.
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4.Bronchial asthma
VOCABULARY and PRONUNCIATION
1. |
bronchus – bronchi |
4. |
allergy |
|
bronchitis |
|
allergy to aspirin |
|
acute bronchitis |
|
allergic |
|
chronic bronchitis |
|
allergic reaction |
|
bronchial asthma |
|
allergic condition |
2. |
disease |
5. |
dilate |
|
pulmonary disease |
|
dilation |
|
obstructive pulmonary disease |
|
bronchodilator |
|
chronic obstructive pulmonary |
|
bronchodilation |
|
disease (COPD) |
|
vasodilation |
|
restrictive pulmonary disease |
6. |
constrict |
|
|
||
3. |
asthma |
|
constriction |
|
severe asthma |
|
bronchoconstrictor |
|
asthmatic attack |
|
bronchoconstriction |
|
acute asthmatic attack |
|
vasoconstriction |
|
antiasthmatic medication |
|
|
Task 3. Read the text and answer the questions.
Asthma is an obstructive disease of the lower respiratory tract and one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases in children. In
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