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The Vermont State Colleges System ( VSCS ) is the system of public colleges in the U.S. state of Vermont . It was created by act of the Vermont General Assembly in 1961. There are presently two entities in the VSCS consortium, the Community College of Vermont and the Vermont State University . Together, more than 11,000 students are enrolled in the constituent colleges.

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107-405: While VSCS, the state colleges' governing organization, was created in the mid-20th century, most of the component colleges are older. The state legislature first chartered Castleton University as a grammar school in 1787. Johnson State College was founded in 1828. The Vermont Technical College was founded in 1866. Lyndon State College was founded in 1911. Community College of Vermont, founded in 1970,

214-725: A decreased level of consciousness . Bacterial and viral cases of pneumonia usually result in similar symptoms. Some causes are associated with classic, but non-specific, clinical characteristics. Pneumonia caused by Legionella may occur with abdominal pain, diarrhea , or confusion. Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with rusty colored sputum. Pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have bloody sputum often described as "currant jelly". Bloody sputum (known as hemoptysis ) may also occur with tuberculosis , Gram-negative pneumonia, lung abscesses and more commonly acute bronchitis . Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae may occur in association with swelling of

321-516: A leading cause of death in developing countries, and also among the very old, the very young, and the chronically ill. Pneumonia often shortens the period of suffering among those already close to death and has thus been called "the old man's friend". People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough , fever accompanied by shaking chills , shortness of breath , sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, and an increased rate of breathing . In elderly people, confusion may be

428-401: A stethoscope or increased respiratory rate. Grunting and nasal flaring may be other useful signs in children less than five years old. Lack of wheezing is an indicator of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with pneumonia, but as an indicator it is not accurate enough to decide whether or not macrolide treatment should be used. The presence of chest pain in children with pneumonia doubles

535-494: A strain of coronavirus known as "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" ( SARS-CoV-2 ). COVID-19 is mainly transmitted when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets / aerosols and small airborne particles containing the virus. Infected people exhale those particles as they breathe, talk, cough, sneeze, or sing. Transmission is more likely the closer people are. However, infection can occur over longer distances, particularly indoors. The transmission of

642-521: A systemic inflammatory response syndrome . Among healthy adults not exposed to SARS-CoV-2, about 35% have CD4 T cells that recognise the SARS-CoV-2 S protein (particularly the S2 subunit) and about 50% react to other proteins of the virus, suggesting cross-reactivity from previous common colds caused by other coronaviruses. Pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of

749-419: A certain critical size, generally thought to be <100μm diameter, evaporate faster than they settle; due to that fact, they form respiratory aerosol particles that remain airborne for a long period of time over extensive distances. Infectivity can begin four to five days before the onset of symptoms. Infected people can spread the disease even if they are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic . Most commonly,

856-418: A chest radiograph is recommended. Findings do not always match the severity of disease and do not reliably separate between bacterial and viral infection. X-ray presentations of pneumonia may be classified as lobar pneumonia , bronchopneumonia , lobular pneumonia , and interstitial pneumonia . Bacterial, community-acquired pneumonia classically show lung consolidation of one lung segmental lobe , which

963-493: A cough of longer duration, and pulmonary emboli present with acute onset sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. Mild pneumonia should be differentiated from upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Severe pneumonia should be differentiated from acute heart failure . Pulmonary infiltrates that resolved after giving mechanical ventilation should point to heart failure and atelectasis rather than pneumonia. For recurrent pneumonia, underlying lung cancer, metastasis , tuberculosis,

1070-479: A cough or difficulty breathing and a rapid respiratory rate, chest indrawing, or a decreased level of consciousness. A rapid respiratory rate is defined as greater than 60 breaths per minute in children under 2 months old, greater than 50 breaths per minute in children 2 months to 1 year old, or greater than 40 breaths per minute in children 1 to 5 years old. In children, low oxygen levels and lower chest indrawing are more sensitive than hearing chest crackles with

1177-415: A day or two before other signs. Examination of the chest may be normal, but it may show decreased expansion on the affected side. Harsh breath sounds from the larger airways that are transmitted through the inflamed lung are termed bronchial breathing and are heard on auscultation with a stethoscope. Crackles (rales) may be heard over the affected area during inspiration . Percussion may be dulled over

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1284-800: A foreign bodies, immunosuppression, and hypersensitivity should be suspected. Prevention includes vaccination , environmental measures, and appropriate treatment of other health problems. It is believed that, if appropriate preventive measures were instituted globally, mortality among children could be reduced by 400,000; and, if proper treatment were universally available, childhood deaths could be decreased by another 600,000. Vaccination prevents against certain bacterial and viral pneumonias both in children and adults. Influenza vaccines are modestly effective at preventing symptoms of influenza, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends yearly influenza vaccination for every person 6 months and older. Immunizing health care workers decreases

1391-400: A higher dose of radiation, and cannot be done at bedside. Lung ultrasound may also be useful in helping to make the diagnosis. Ultrasound is radiation free and can be done at bedside. However, ultrasound requires specific skills to operate the machine and interpret the findings. It may be more accurate than chest X-ray. In people managed in the community, determining the causative agent

1498-422: A higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some complications result in death. Some people continue to experience a range of effects ( long COVID ) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed. Multi-year studies are underway to further investigate the long-term effects of the disease. COVID‑19 transmission occurs when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with

1605-462: A history of smoking, a poor ability to cough (such as following a stroke), and a weak immune system . Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia (such as those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, linked to influenza , or linked to COVID-19 ) are available. Other methods of prevention include hand washing to prevent infection, and not smoking. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Pneumonia believed to be due to bacteria

1712-423: A range of effects, such as fatigue , for prolonged periods after an initial COVID-19 infection. This is the result of a condition called long COVID , which can be described as a range of persistent symptoms that continue for months or years. Long-term damage to organs has been observed after the onset of COVID-19. Multi-year studies are underway to further investigate the protracted effects of long COVID. Reducing

1819-744: Is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All structural features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus particle occur in related coronaviruses in nature, particularly in Rhinolophus sinicus (Chinese horseshoe bats). Outside the human body, the virus is destroyed by household soap which bursts its protective bubble . Hospital disinfectants, alcohols, heat, povidone-iodine , and ultraviolet -C (UV-C) irradiation are also effective disinfection methods for surfaces. SARS-CoV-2

1926-411: Is another rare cause due to lipids entering the lung. These lipids can either be inhaled or spread to the lungs from elsewhere in the body. Pneumonia frequently starts as an upper respiratory tract infection that moves into the lower respiratory tract. It is a type of pneumonitis (lung inflammation). The normal flora of the upper airway give protection by competing with pathogens for nutrients. In

2033-996: Is associated with Chlamydia psittaci ; farm animals with Coxiella burnetti ; aspiration of stomach contents with anaerobic organisms; and cystic fibrosis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . Streptococcus pneumoniae is more common in the winter, and it should be suspected in persons aspirating a large number of anaerobic organisms. In adults, viruses account for about one third of pneumonia cases, and in children for about 15% of them. Commonly implicated agents include rhinoviruses , coronaviruses , influenza virus , respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus , and parainfluenza . Herpes simplex virus rarely causes pneumonia, except in groups such as newborns, persons with cancer, transplant recipients, and people with significant burns. After organ transplantation or in otherwise immunocompromised persons, there are high rates of cytomegalovirus pneumonia. Those with viral infections may be secondarily infected with

2140-571: Is associated with COVID-19 and is reported in as many as 88% of symptomatic cases. Published data on the neuropathological changes related with COVID-19 have been limited and contentious, with neuropathological descriptions ranging from moderate to severe hemorrhagic and hypoxia phenotypes , thrombotic consequences, changes in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM-type), encephalitis and meningitis . Many COVID-19 patients with co-morbidities have hypoxia and have been in intensive care for varying lengths of time, confounding interpretation of

2247-448: Is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Approximately 10% of people who require mechanical ventilation develop ventilator-associated pneumonia , and people with a gastric feeding tube have an increased risk of developing aspiration pneumonia . Moreover, the misplacement of a feeding tube can lead to aspiration pneumonia. 28% of tube malposition results in pneumonia. As with Avanos Medical 's feeding tube placement system,

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2354-506: Is available for adults, and has been found to decrease the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease by 74%, but there is insufficient evidence to suggest using the pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia or death in the general adult population. The CDC recommends that young children and adults over the age of 65 receive the pneumococcal vaccine, as well as older children or younger adults who have an increased risk of getting pneumococcal disease. The pneumococcal vaccine has been shown to reduce

2461-433: Is available, guidelines and recommendations for hypertensive patients remain. The effect of the virus on ACE2 cell surfaces leads to leukocytic infiltration, increased blood vessel permeability, alveolar wall permeability, as well as decreased secretion of lung surfactants. These effects cause the majority of the respiratory symptoms. However, the aggravation of local inflammation causes a cytokine storm eventually leading to

2568-402: Is because pregnant women with COVID‑19 appear to be more likely to develop respiratory and obstetric complications that can lead to miscarriage , premature delivery and intrauterine growth restriction . Fungal infections such as aspergillosis , candidiasis , cryptococcosis and mucormycosis have been recorded in patients recovering from COVID‑19. COVID‑19 is caused by infection with

2675-522: Is closely related to the original SARS-CoV . It is thought to have an animal ( zoonotic ) origin. Genetic analysis has revealed that the coronavirus genetically clusters with the genus Betacoronavirus , in subgenus Sarbecovirus (lineage B) together with two bat-derived strains. It is 96% identical at the whole genome level to other bat coronavirus samples (BatCov RaTG13 ). The structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 include membrane glycoprotein (M), envelope protein (E), nucleocapsid protein (N), and

2782-644: Is due primarily to cytokine -induced systemic inflammation . In the developed world , these infections are most common in people returning from travel or in immigrants. Around the world, parasitic pneumonia is most common in the immunodeficient. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia or noninfectious pneumonia is a class of diffuse lung diseases . They include diffuse alveolar damage , organizing pneumonia , nonspecific interstitial pneumonia , lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia , desquamative interstitial pneumonia , respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease , and usual interstitial pneumonia . Lipoid pneumonia

2889-801: Is due to infections caused primarily by bacteria or viruses and less commonly by fungi and parasites . Although more than 100 strains of infectious agents have been identified, only a few are responsible for the majority of cases. Mixed infections with both viruses and bacteria may occur in roughly 45% of infections in children and 15% of infections in adults. A causative agent may not be isolated in about half of cases despite careful testing. In an active population-based surveillance for community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization in five hospitals in Chicago and Nashville from January 2010 through June 2012, 2259 patients were identified who had radiographic evidence of pneumonia and specimens that could be tested for

2996-460: Is important to treatment, as it correlates to which pathogens are likely suspects, which mechanisms are likely, which antibiotics are likely to work or fail, and which complications can be expected based on the person's health status. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is acquired in the community, outside of health care facilities. Compared with healthcare-associated pneumonia, it is less likely to involve multidrug-resistant bacteria. Although

3103-445: Is increased. Bacteria are the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in nearly 50% of cases. Other commonly isolated bacteria include Haemophilus influenzae in 20%, Chlamydophila pneumoniae in 13%, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 3% of cases; Staphylococcus aureus ; Moraxella catarrhalis ; and Legionella pneumophila . A number of drug-resistant versions of

3210-448: Is known as lobar pneumonia. However, findings may vary, and other patterns are common in other types of pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia may present with bilateral opacities primarily in the bases of the lungs and on the right side. Radiographs of viral pneumonia may appear normal, appear hyper-inflated, have bilateral patchy areas, or present similar to bacterial pneumonia with lobar consolidation. Radiologic findings may not be present in

3317-587: Is most common in the Southwestern United States. The number of cases of fungal pneumonia has been increasing in the latter half of the 20th century due to increasing travel and rates of immunosuppression in the population. For people infected with HIV/AIDS , PCP is a common opportunistic infection . A variety of parasites can affect the lungs, including Toxoplasma gondii , Strongyloides stercoralis , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Plasmodium malariae . These organisms typically enter

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3424-530: Is not cost-effective and typically does not alter management. For people who do not respond to treatment, sputum culture should be considered, and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be carried out in persons with a chronic productive cough. Microbiological evaluation is also indicated in severe pneumonia, alcoholism, asplenia , immunosuppression, HIV infection, and those being empirically treated for MRSA of pseudomonas. Although positive blood culture and pleural fluid culture definitively establish

3531-444: Is often based on symptoms and physical examination . Chest X-rays , blood tests, and culture of the sputum may help confirm the diagnosis. The disease may be classified by where it was acquired, such as community- or hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated pneumonia. Risk factors for pneumonia include cystic fibrosis , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sickle cell disease , asthma , diabetes , heart failure,

3638-465: Is sometimes called MCAP (medical care–associated pneumonia). People may become infected with pneumonia in a hospital; this is defined as pneumonia not present at the time of admission (symptoms must start at least 48 hours after admission). It is likely to involve hospital-acquired infections , with higher risk of multidrug-resistant pathogens. People in a hospital often have other medical conditions, which may make them more susceptible to pathogens in

3745-723: Is sometimes more broadly applied to any condition resulting in inflammation of the lungs (caused for example by autoimmune diseases , chemical burns or drug reactions); however, this inflammation is more accurately referred to as pneumonitis . Factors that predispose to pneumonia include smoking, immunodeficiency , alcoholism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , sickle cell disease (SCD), asthma , chronic kidney disease , liver disease , and biological aging . Additional risks in children include not being breastfed , exposure to cigarette smoke and other air pollution, malnutrition, and poverty. The use of acid-suppressing medications – such as proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers –

3852-595: Is the cause of the bud release and the formation of the viral envelope. The N and E protein are accessory proteins that interfere with the host's immune response. Human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is the host factor that SARS-CoV-2 virus targets causing COVID‑19. Theoretically, the usage of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and ACE inhibitors upregulating ACE2 expression might increase morbidity with COVID‑19, though animal data suggest some potential protective effect of ARB; however no clinical studies have proven susceptibility or outcomes. Until further data

3959-673: Is the former president of Bethany College . The system is overseen by the fifteen-member Board of Trustees and each of the state colleges has its own president and deans. The VSCS was headquartered at the Chancellor's Office in Waterbury until August 2011 when Tropical Storm Irene forced it to relocate temporarily. After one year of temporary location at the Vermont Tech Enterprise Center in Randolph ,

4066-469: Is the viral component that attaches to the host receptor via the ACE2 receptors. It includes two subunits: S1 and S2. Studies have shown that S1 domain induced IgG and IgA antibody levels at a much higher capacity. It is the focus spike proteins expression that are involved in many effective COVID‑19 vaccines. The M protein is the viral protein responsible for the transmembrane transport of nutrients. It

4173-432: Is treated with antibiotics . If the pneumonia is severe, the affected person is generally hospitalized. Oxygen therapy may be used if oxygen levels are low. Each year, pneumonia affects about 450 million people globally (7% of the population) and results in about 4 million deaths. With the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines in the 20th century, survival has greatly improved. Nevertheless, pneumonia remains

4280-498: Is uncommon, but occurs more commonly in individuals with weakened immune systems due to AIDS, immunosuppressive drugs , or other medical problems. It is most often caused by Histoplasma capsulatum , Blastomyces , Cryptococcus neoformans , Pneumocystis jiroveci ( pneumocystis pneumonia , or PCP), and Coccidioides immitis . Histoplasmosis is most common in the Mississippi River basin , and coccidioidomycosis

4387-938: The Alpha variant (B.1.1.7, formerly called the UK variant), first found in London and Kent, the Beta variant (B.1.351, formerly called the South Africa variant), the Gamma variant (P.1, formerly called the Brazil variant), the Delta variant (B.1.617.2, formerly called the India variant), and the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which had spread to 57 countries as of 7 December. On December 19, 2023,

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4494-588: The Spanish flu , Middle East respiratory syndrome , and Zika virus . In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended 2019-nCoV and 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease as interim names for the virus and disease per 2015 guidance and international guidelines against using geographical locations or groups of people in disease and virus names to prevent social stigma . The official names COVID‑19 and SARS-CoV-2 were issued by

4601-618: The Vermont Technical College residential campus in Randolph as well as both campuses of Northern Vermont University . This proposal was withdrawn and the state provided emergency "bridge" funding to the system in fall 2020. With the funding, the state put the system on a five-year plan to eliminate the system's structural deficit, unify Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College into one university while keeping current campus locations open, and consolidate administrative services across

4708-419: The lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli . Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough , chest pain , fever, and difficulty breathing . The severity of the condition is variable. Pneumonia is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria, and less commonly by other microorganisms . Identifying the responsible pathogen can be difficult. Diagnosis

4815-482: The small intestine . The virus can cause acute myocardial injury and chronic damage to the cardiovascular system . An acute cardiac injury was found in 12% of infected people admitted to the hospital in Wuhan, China, and is more frequent in severe disease. Rates of cardiovascular symptoms are high, owing to the systemic inflammatory response and immune system disorders during disease progression, but acute myocardial injuries may also be related to ACE2 receptors in

4922-710: The spike protein (S). The M protein of SARS-CoV-2 is about 98% similar to the M protein of bat SARS-CoV, maintains around 98% homology with pangolin SARS-CoV, and has 90% homology with the M protein of SARS-CoV; whereas, the similarity is only around 38% with the M protein of MERS-CoV . The many thousands of SARS-CoV-2 variants are grouped into either clades or lineages . The WHO, in collaboration with partners, expert networks, national authorities, institutions and researchers, have established nomenclature systems for naming and tracking SARS-CoV-2 genetic lineages by GISAID , Nextstrain and Pango . The expert group convened by

5029-548: The B.1 lineage. Several notable variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerged throughout 2020. Cluster 5 emerged among minks and mink farmers in Denmark . After strict quarantines and the slaughter of all the country's mink , the cluster was assessed to no longer be circulating among humans in Denmark as of 1 February 2021. As of December 2021 , there are five dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2 spreading among global populations:

5136-542: The CNS, possibly within an infected white blood cell. Research conducted when Alpha was the dominant variant has suggested COVID-19 may cause brain damage. Later research showed that all variants studied (including Omicron) killed brain cells, but the exact cells killed varied by variant. It is unknown if such damage is temporary or permanent. Observed individuals infected with COVID-19 (most with mild cases) experienced an additional 0.2% to 2% of brain tissue lost in regions of

5243-647: The CORTRAK* 2 EAS, which was recalled in May 2022 by the FDA due to adverse events reported, including pneumonia, caused a total of 60 injuries and 23 patient deaths, as communicated by the FDA. For people with certain variants of the FER gene , the risk of death is reduced in sepsis caused by pneumonia. However, for those with TLR6 variants, the risk of getting Legionnaires' disease

5350-562: The COVID-19 infection may have different symptoms, and their symptoms may change over time. Three common clusters of symptoms have been identified: a respiratory symptom cluster with cough, sputum , shortness of breath , and fever; a musculoskeletal symptom cluster with muscle and joint pain, headache, and fatigue; and a cluster of digestive symptoms with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In people without prior ear, nose, or throat disorders, loss of taste combined with loss of smell

5457-785: The Chancellor's Office found a new, permanent home in Montpelier . COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 . The first known case was identified in Wuhan , China, in December 2019. Most scientists believe the SARS-CoV-2 virus entered into human populations through natural zoonosis , similar to the SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV outbreaks, and consistent with other pandemics in human history. Social and environmental factors including climate change , natural ecosystem destruction and wildlife trade increased

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5564-475: The WHO declared that another distinctive variant, JN.1, had emerged as a "variant of interest". Though the WHO expected an increase in cases globally, particularly for countries entering winter, the overall global health risk was considered low. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect a wide range of cells and systems of the body. COVID‑19 is most known for affecting the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) and

5671-759: The WHO on 11 February 2020 with COVID-19 being shorthand for "coronavirus disease 2019". The WHO additionally uses "the COVID‑19 virus" and "the virus responsible for COVID‑19" in public communications. The symptoms of COVID-19 are variable depending on the type of variant contracted, ranging from mild symptoms to a potentially fatal illness. Common symptoms include coughing , fever , loss of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia), with less common ones including headaches , nasal congestion and runny nose , muscle pain , sore throat , diarrhea , eye irritation , and toes swelling or turning purple, and in moderate to severe cases, breathing difficulties . People with

5778-551: The WHO recommended the labelling of variants using letters of the Greek alphabet , for example, Alpha , Beta , Delta , and Gamma , giving the justification that they "will be easier and more practical to discussed by non-scientific audiences". Nextstrain divides the variants into five clades (19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, and 20C), while GISAID divides them into seven (L, O, V, S, G, GH, and GR). The Pango tool groups variants into lineages , with many circulating lineages being classed under

5885-513: The above infections are becoming more common, including drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The spreading of organisms is facilitated by certain risk factors. Alcoholism is associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae , anaerobic organisms , and Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; smoking facilitates the effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , Moraxella catarrhalis , and Legionella pneumophila . Exposure to birds

5992-560: The additional feature of pulmonary consolidation . Pneumonia is most commonly classified by where or how it was acquired: community-acquired, aspiration, healthcare-associated , hospital-acquired , and ventilator-associated pneumonia. It may also be classified by the area of the lung affected: lobar, bronchial pneumonia and acute interstitial pneumonia ; or by the causative organism. Pneumonia in children may additionally be classified based on signs and symptoms as non-severe, severe, or very severe. The setting in which pneumonia develops

6099-421: The affected lung, and increased, rather than decreased, vocal resonance distinguishes pneumonia from a pleural effusion . A chest radiograph is frequently used in diagnosis. In people with mild disease, imaging is needed only in those with potential complications, those not having improved with treatment, or those in which the cause is uncertain. If a person is sufficiently sick to require hospitalization,

6206-421: The alveoli, resulting in the consolidation seen on chest X-ray. Viruses may reach the lung by a number of different routes. Respiratory syncytial virus is typically contracted when people touch contaminated objects and then touch their eyes or nose. Other viral infections occur when contaminated airborne droplets are inhaled through the nose or mouth. Once in the upper airway, the viruses may make their way into

6313-462: The average faculty to student ratio across the five colleges is 1:16. Nearly ninety percent of the faculty hold a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate level terminal degree in their field of instruction. The Chancellor's office is the chief executive function of the system and performs day to day financial and policy operations. It is headed by Chancellor Elizabeth Mauch, who took office in January 2024, and

6420-517: The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae , Staphylococcus aureus , or Haemophilus influenzae , particularly when other health problems are present. Different viruses predominate at different times of the year; during flu season , for example, influenza may account for more than half of all viral cases. Outbreaks of other viruses also occur occasionally, including hantaviruses and coronaviruses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can also result in pneumonia. Fungal pneumonia

6527-449: The blood. Once in the lungs, bacteria may invade the spaces between cells and between alveoli, where the macrophages and neutrophils (defensive white blood cells ) attempt to inactivate the bacteria. The neutrophils also release cytokines, causing a general activation of the immune system. This leads to the fever, chills, and fatigue common in bacterial pneumonia. The neutrophils, bacteria, and fluid from surrounding blood vessels fill

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6634-516: The body through direct contact with the skin, ingestion, or via an insect vector. Except for Paragonimus westermani , most parasites do not specifically affect the lungs but involve the lungs secondarily to other sites. Some parasites, in particular those belonging to the Ascaris and Strongyloides genera, stimulate a strong eosinophilic reaction, which may result in eosinophilic pneumonia . In other infections, such as malaria, lung involvement

6741-515: The brain connected to the sense of smell compared with uninfected individuals, and the overall effect on the brain was equivalent on average to at least one extra year of normal ageing; infected individuals also scored lower on several cognitive tests. All effects were more pronounced among older ages. The virus also affects gastrointestinal organs as ACE2 is abundantly expressed in the glandular cells of gastric , duodenal and rectal epithelium as well as endothelial cells and enterocytes of

6848-591: The brain found as complications leading to death in people infected with COVID‑19. Infection may initiate a chain of vasoconstrictive responses within the body, including pulmonary vasoconstriction – a possible mechanism in which oxygenation decreases during pneumonia. Furthermore, damage of arterioles and capillaries was found in brain tissue samples of people who died from COVID‑19. COVID‑19 may also cause substantial structural changes to blood cells , sometimes persisting for months after hospital discharge. A low level of blood lymphocytess may result from

6955-428: The brains of those who have died from COVID‑19, but these results need to be confirmed. While virus has been detected in cerebrospinal fluid of autopsies, the exact mechanism by which it invades the CNS remains unclear and may first involve invasion of peripheral nerves given the low levels of ACE2 in the brain. The virus may also enter the bloodstream from the lungs and cross the blood–brain barrier to gain access to

7062-546: The cause and support decisions about who should receive antibiotics. Antibiotics are encouraged if the procalcitonin level reaches 0.25 μg/L, strongly encouraged if it reaches 0.5 μg/L, and strongly discouraged if the level is below 0.10 μg/L. In people requiring hospitalization, pulse oximetry , chest radiography and blood tests – including a complete blood count , serum electrolytes , C-reactive protein level, and possibly liver function tests – are recommended. The diagnosis of influenza-like illness can be made based on

7169-409: The clear jelly liquid found in lung autopsies of people who died of COVID-19. One possibility addressed in medical research is that hyuralonic acid (HA) could be the leading factor for this observation of the clear jelly liquid found in the lungs, in what could be hyuralonic storm, in conjunction with cytokine storm . One common symptom, loss of smell, results from infection of the support cells of

7276-427: The condition, but they are associated with side effects. Zanamivir or oseltamivir decrease the chance that people who are exposed to the virus will develop symptoms; however, it is recommended that potential side effects are taken into account. Smoking cessation and reducing indoor air pollution , such as that from cooking indoors with wood, crop residues or dung , are both recommended. Smoking appears to be

7383-406: The data. Of people who show symptoms, 81% develop only mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia ), while 14% develop severe symptoms ( dyspnea , hypoxia , or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging) that require hospitalization, and 5% of patients develop critical symptoms ( respiratory failure , septic shock , or multiorgan dysfunction ) requiring ICU admission. At least a third of

7490-404: The diagnosis is unlikely. However, the underlying cause can be difficult to confirm, as there is no definitive test able to distinguish between bacterial and non-bacterial cause. The overall impression of a physician appears to be at least as good as decision rules for making or excluding the diagnosis. The World Health Organization has defined pneumonia in children clinically based on either

7597-508: The diagnosis of the type of micro-organism involved, a positive sputum culture has to be interpreted with care for the possibility of colonisation of respiratory tract. Testing for other specific organisms may be recommended during outbreaks, for public health reasons. In those hospitalized for severe disease, both sputum and blood cultures are recommended, as well as testing the urine for antigens to Legionella and Streptococcus . Viral infections, can be confirmed via detection of either

7704-758: The early stages of the disease, especially in the presence of dehydration, or may be difficult to interpret in the obese or those with a history of lung disease. Complications such as pleural effusion may also be found on chest radiographs. Laterolateral chest radiographs can increase the diagnostic accuracy of lung consolidation and pleural effusion. A CT scan can give additional information in indeterminate cases and provide more details in those with an unclear chest radiograph (for example occult pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They can be used to exclude pulmonary embolism and fungal pneumonia , and detect lung abscesses in those who are not responding to treatments. However, CT scans are more expensive, have

7811-721: The expression of ACE-2, thereby facilitating the SARS-Cov2 virus to enter cells and to replicate. A competition of negative feedback loops (via protective effects of interferon alpha) and positive feedback loops (via upregulation of ACE-2) is assumed to determine the fate of patients suffering from COVID-19. Additionally, people with COVID‑19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have classical serum biomarkers of CRS, including elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer , and ferritin . Systemic inflammation results in vasodilation , allowing inflammatory lymphocytic and monocytic infiltration of

7918-428: The eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread

8025-525: The face. While drugs have been developed to inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is still symptomatic , managing the disease through supportive care , isolation , and experimental measures . During the initial outbreak in Wuhan , the virus and disease were commonly referred to as "coronavirus" and "Wuhan coronavirus", with the disease sometimes called "Wuhan pneumonia". In the past, many diseases have been named after geographical locations, such as

8132-523: The heart. ACE2 receptors are highly expressed in the heart and are involved in heart function. A high incidence of thrombosis and venous thromboembolism occurs in people transferred to intensive care units with COVID‑19 infections, and may be related to poor prognosis. Blood vessel dysfunction and clot formation (as suggested by high D-dimer levels caused by blood clots) may have a significant role in mortality, incidents of clots leading to pulmonary embolisms , and ischaemic events (strokes) within

8239-634: The hospital. Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs in people breathing with the help of mechanical ventilation. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is specifically defined as pneumonia that arises more than 48 to 72 hours after endotracheal intubation . Several diseases can present with similar signs and symptoms to pneumonia, such as: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pulmonary edema , bronchiectasis , lung cancer, and pulmonary emboli . Unlike pneumonia, asthma and COPD typically present with wheezing, pulmonary edema presents with an abnormal electrocardiogram , cancer and bronchiectasis present with

8346-503: The host cell. Following viral entry, COVID‑19 infects the ciliated epithelium of the nasopharynx and upper airways. Autopsies of people who died of COVID‑19 have found diffuse alveolar damage , and lymphocyte-containing inflammatory infiltrates within the lung. From the CT scans of COVID-19 infected lungs, white patches were observed containing fluid known as ground-glass opacity (GGO) or simply ground glass. This tended to correlate with

8453-528: The infection, children may develop paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome , which has symptoms similar to Kawasaki disease , which can be fatal. In very rare cases, acute encephalopathy can occur, and it can be considered in those who have been diagnosed with COVID‑19 and have an altered mental status. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , pregnant women are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID‑19. This

8560-585: The latter are no longer rare in CAP, they are still less likely. Prior stays in healthcare-related environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, or hemodialysis centers or a history of receiving domiciliary care can increase patients' risk for CAP caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Health care–associated pneumonia (HCAP) is an infection associated with recent exposure to the health care system, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes , dialysis centers, chemotherapy treatment, or home care . HCAP

8667-855: The likelihood of such zoonotic spillover . The disease quickly spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic . The symptoms of COVID‑19 are variable but often include fever, fatigue, cough, breathing difficulties , loss of smell , and loss of taste . Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms . Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia ), while 14% develop severe symptoms ( dyspnea , hypoxia , or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms ( respiratory failure , shock , or multiorgan dysfunction ). Older people are at

8774-431: The lower airways, reflexes of the glottis , actions of complement proteins and immunoglobulins are important for protection. Micro aspiration of contaminated secretions can infect the lower airways and cause pneumonia. The progress of pneumonia is determined by the virulence of the organism; the amount of organism required to start an infection; and the body's immune response against the infection. Most bacteria enter

8881-454: The lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‑19 because the virus accesses host cells via the receptor for the enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is most abundant on the surface of type II alveolar cells of the lungs. The virus uses a special surface glycoprotein called a " spike " to connect to the ACE2 receptor and enter

8988-409: The lung and the heart. In particular, pathogenic GM-CSF-secreting T cells were shown to correlate with the recruitment of inflammatory IL-6-secreting monocytes and severe lung pathology in people with COVID‑19. Lymphocytic infiltrates have also been reported at autopsy. Multiple viral and host factors affect the pathogenesis of the virus. The S-protein , otherwise known as the spike protein,

9095-464: The lungs via small aspirations of organisms residing in the throat or nose. Half of normal people have these small aspirations during sleep. While the throat always contains bacteria, potentially infectious ones reside there only at certain times and under certain conditions. A minority of types of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Legionella pneumophila reach the lungs via contaminated airborne droplets. Bacteria can also spread via

9202-418: The lungs, many viruses simultaneously affect other organs and thus disrupt other body functions. Viruses also make the body more susceptible to bacterial infections; in this way, bacterial pneumonia can occur at the same time as viral pneumonia. Pneumonia is typically diagnosed based on a combination of physical signs and often a chest X-ray . In adults with normal vital signs and a normal lung examination,

9309-433: The lungs, where they invade the cells lining the airways, alveoli, or lung parenchyma . Some viruses such as measles and herpes simplex may reach the lungs via the blood. The invasion of the lungs may lead to varying degrees of cell death. When the immune system responds to the infection, even more lung damage may occur. Primarily white blood cells, mainly mononuclear cells , generate the inflammation. As well as damaging

9416-400: The lymph nodes in the neck , joint pain , or a middle ear infection . Viral pneumonia presents more commonly with wheezing than bacterial pneumonia. Pneumonia was historically divided into "typical" and "atypical" based on the belief that the presentation predicted the underlying cause. However, evidence has not supported this distinction, therefore it is no longer emphasized. Pneumonia

9523-447: The moment a person first becomes infected and the appearance of the first symptoms. The median delay for COVID-19 is four to five days possibly being infectious on 1–4 of those days. Most symptomatic people experience symptoms within two to seven days after exposure, and almost all will experience at least one symptom within 12 days. Most people recover from the acute phase of the disease. However, some people continue to experience

9630-524: The most prominent sign. The typical signs and symptoms in children under five are fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing. Fever is not very specific, as it occurs in many other common illnesses and may be absent in those with severe disease, malnutrition or in the elderly. In addition, a cough is frequently absent in children less than 2 months old. More severe signs and symptoms in children may include blue-tinged skin , unwillingness to drink, convulsions, ongoing vomiting, extremes of temperature, or

9737-480: The olfactory epithelium , with subsequent damage to the olfactory neurons . The involvement of both the central and peripheral nervous system in COVID‑19 has been reported in many medical publications. It is clear that many people with COVID-19 exhibit neurological or mental health issues . The virus is not detected in the central nervous system (CNS) of the majority of COVID-19 patients with neurological issues . However, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected at low levels in

9844-488: The peak viral load in upper respiratory tract samples occurs close to the time of symptom onset and declines after the first week after symptoms begin. Current evidence suggests a duration of viral shedding and the period of infectiousness of up to ten days following symptom onset for people with mild to moderate COVID-19, and up to 20 days for persons with severe COVID-19, including immunocompromised people. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus   2 (SARS-CoV-2)

9951-411: The people who are infected with the virus do not develop noticeable symptoms at any point in time. These asymptomatic carriers tend not to get tested and can still spread the disease. Other infected people will develop symptoms later (called "pre-symptomatic") or have very mild symptoms and can also spread the virus. As is common with infections, there is a delay, or incubation period , between

10058-421: The probability of Mycoplasma pneumoniae . In general, in adults, investigations are not needed in mild cases. There is a very low risk of pneumonia if all vital signs and auscultation are normal. C-reactive protein (CRP) may help support the diagnosis. For those with CRP less than 20 mg/L without convincing evidence of pneumonia, antibiotics are not recommended. Procalcitonin may help determine

10165-416: The respiratory tract, people with severe COVID‑19 have symptoms of systemic hyperinflammation. Clinical laboratory findings of elevated IL‑2 , IL‑6 , IL‑7 , as well as the following suggest an underlying immunopathology: Interferon alpha plays a complex, Janus-faced role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Although it promotes the elimination of virus-infected cells, it also upregulates

10272-500: The responsible pathogen. Most patients (62%) had no detectable pathogens in their sample, and unexpectedly, respiratory viruses were detected more frequently than bacteria. Specifically, 23% had one or more viruses, 11% had one or more bacteria, 3% had both bacterial and viral pathogens, and 1% had a fungal or mycobacterial infection. "The most common pathogens were human rhinovirus (in 9% of patients), influenza virus (in 6%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (in 5%)." The term pneumonia

10379-519: The risk of community acquired pneumonia in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but does not reduce mortality or the risk of hospitalization for people with this condition. People with COPD are recommended by a number of guidelines to have a pneumococcal vaccination. Other vaccines for which there is support for a protective effect against pneumonia include pertussis , varicella , and measles . When influenza outbreaks occur, medications such as amantadine or rimantadine may help prevent

10486-859: The risk of long COVID includes staying up to date on the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, practicing good hygiene, maintaining clean indoor air, and physical distancing from people infected with a respiratory virus. Complications may include pneumonia , acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure , septic shock , and death. Cardiovascular complications may include heart failure, arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation ), heart inflammation , thrombosis , particularly venous thromboembolism , and endothelial cell injury and dysfunction. Approximately 20–30% of people who present with COVID‑19 have elevated liver enzymes , reflecting liver injury. Neurologic manifestations include seizure , stroke, encephalitis , and Guillain–Barré syndrome (which includes loss of motor functions ). Following

10593-521: The risk of viral pneumonia among their patients. Vaccinations against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae have good evidence to support their use. There is strong evidence for vaccinating children under the age of 2 against Streptococcus pneumoniae ( pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ). Vaccinating children against Streptococcus pneumoniae has led to a decreased rate of these infections in adults, because many adults acquire infections from children. A Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine

10700-527: The signs and symptoms; however, confirmation of an influenza infection requires testing. Thus, treatment is frequently based on the presence of influenza in the community or a rapid influenza test . Adults 65 years old or older, as well as cigarette smokers and people with ongoing medical conditions are at increased risk for pneumonia. Physical examination may sometimes reveal low blood pressure , high heart rate , or low oxygen saturation . The respiratory rate may be faster than normal, and this may occur

10807-468: The single biggest risk factor for pneumococcal pneumonia in otherwise-healthy adults. Hand hygiene and coughing into one's sleeve may also be effective preventative measures. Wearing surgical masks by the sick may also prevent illness. Appropriately treating underlying illnesses (such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus , and malnutrition) can decrease the risk of pneumonia. In children less than 6 months of age, exclusive breast feeding reduces both

10914-515: The system. The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees endorsed the plan in February 2021 and announced in September 2021 that the institutions would unify under the name Vermont State University on July 1, 2023. Over eighty percent of VSCS students come from the state of Vermont. Students come from over forty other U.S. states, and more than forty-five countries. Class sizes are small,

11021-516: The virus acting through ACE2-related entry into lymphocytes. Another common cause of death is complications related to the kidneys . Early reports show that up to 30% of hospitalised patients both in China and in New York have experienced some injury to their kidneys, including some persons with no previous kidney problems. Although SARS-CoV-2 has a tropism for ACE2-expressing epithelial cells of

11128-752: The virus even if they do not develop symptoms. Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus's nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR), transcription-mediated amplification , and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP) from a nasopharyngeal swab . Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, many of which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns . Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing , quarantining , ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing , and keeping unwashed hands away from

11235-509: The virus is carried out through virus-laden fluid particles, or droplets, which are created in the respiratory tract, and they are expelled by the mouth and the nose. There are three types of transmission: "droplet" and "contact", which are associated with large droplets, and "airborne", which is associated with small droplets. If the droplets are above a certain critical size, they settle faster than they evaporate , and therefore they contaminate surfaces surrounding them. Droplets that are below

11342-496: The virus or its antigens with culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR), among other techniques. Mycoplasma , Legionella , Streptococcus , and Chlamydia can also be detected using PCR techniques on bronchoalveolar lavage and nasopharyngeal swab . The causative agent is determined in only 15% of cases with routine microbiological tests. Pneumonitis refers to lung inflammation; pneumonia refers to pneumonitis, usually due to infection but sometimes non-infectious, that has

11449-604: Was founded after the creation of the VSC. Northern Vermont University, was created in 2018 by merging Johnson State College and Lyndon State College together, combining administration but keeping the campuses separate. For many years, the Vermont public colleges have experienced financial stress and chronic underfunding. Exacerbated by COVID-19 , in April 2020, then Vermont State Colleges system Chancellor Jeb Spaulding recommended closing

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