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Tag: pneumonia

Can our immune system really defend us against new viruses, like HMPV?

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On March 23, 2026

In lymphatic and immune system, respiratory system

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. respiratory system chapter – gros anatomy of the respiratory system
  2. lymphatic and immune system chapter – cell-mediated portion of the immune response
  3. lymphatic and immune system chapter – antibody-mediated portion of the immune response
  4. lymphatic and immune system chapter – role of T-helper cells in the immune response

The news item:  Recently, the following news item appeared online:

What to know about the virus with no vaccine, treatment hitting certain states

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent this virus and no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV, according to the CDC.

The article states that the new HMPV (human metapneumo virus) is showing up in record numbers in California and in New Jersey. The article also states the symptoms, the treatment options, and mentions bronchitis, pneumonia as most dangerous consequences.

 Why Do I Care??  Respiratory viruses can cause serious illness and death when our bodies cannot resist them. Periodically, reports of new respiratory viruses appear on social media, and the tone of these articles can be quite alarmist. The HMPV is a good example of how we can determine if this new virus represents a lot or a little danger for the general population. Reading deeper into a social media post, or an online article helps a great deal.  Bottom line: don’t just read the headline!!

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about the properties of the HMPV virus. With every breath we take our respiratory system is exposed to viruses swept along the volume of inhaled air. While we have many layers of defenses against the viruses in the walls of the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, a few viruses manage to pass through those layers, and penetrate into tissues and into blood, and enter (infect) our cells. For most people the HMPV infection causes only a few days of light cough, nasal congestion, because the natural defenses of the immune system can eliminate the HMPV virus.  There are hundreds of viruses similar to HMPV, and in most people the infection even by totally new viruses is stopped by the immune system.

Second, let’s talk about our natural immune defenses against HMPV. When HMPV infects our cells, two kinds of immune response develop in about 10-14 days. First, the cell-mediated portion reacts to the presence of the invader, and in lymph nodes and other organs millions of fighters, the

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Can we really get pneumonia just by inhaling water mist?

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On May 24, 2025

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, respiratory system

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. microbiology – Legionella bacterium
  2. lymphatic and immune system chapter – development and role of macrophages in immune defense
  3. respiratory system chapter – cells that make up the alveoli
  4. cellular basis of life chapter – functions of lysosomes

The news item:  Recently the following article appeared online:

3 dead in Legionnaire’s disease outbreak at New York assisted living facility

Since the discovery of Legionella bacteria at the Albany facility, 20 people have been hospitalized and three of those who tested positive have died.

The article states that at the time of the writing of the report 3 people have already died from Legionnaire’s disease in an assisted living facility, and that the infection likely spread to residents by them inhaling mist contaminated by the Legionella bacterium.

So, Why Do I Care??  While the name “Legionnaire’s disease” make it sound like it has an uncommon occurrence, but this bacterial infection, and the pneumonia it causes, is responsible for over 10,000 yearly hospitalizations in the USA. The bacterium specifically disables macrophages, so understanding how this happens may help us design pharmaceuticals or other interventions to help infected people, and to apply this knowledge to other disorders where macrophages have a role.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how macrophages are involved in the defense of our lungs. We find resident macrophages in the lumen of the cup-shaped, microscopic alveoli of the lungs. Macrophages there internalize, phagocytose, microorganisms that invaded the alveoli. The internalization brings the microbes into microscopic bubbles called phagosomes, and once that phagosome fuse with a lysosome full of acid and digestive enzymes, the microbes will be digested into their molecular components. To picture a macrophage in action, imagine a vacuum cleaner where the microbes are “internalized” into a vacuum cleaner bag (the phagosome) which would be merging with a zip-lock bag full of acid and digestive enzymes. Digesting viruses, bacteria, fungi keep the alveoli free of harmful microbes.

Second, let’s talk about how Legionella bacterium infects macrophages. Once inside the phagosome, the Legionella bacteria delay the fusion with the lysosome, and that delay gives enough time for the bacteria

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Can we get a deadly infection from an aromatherapy bottle?

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On February 26, 2022

In cellular basis of life, lymphatic and immune system, microbiology, tissues

TeachableMedicalNews article 02272022

Teachable moment in classrooms:

  1. microbiology – Burkholderia bacteria
  2. microbiology – bacterial movement by flagella
  3. cellular basis of life chapter – lysosomes can digest invaders, or self-digest a cell during autophagy cell death
  4. tissue chapter – cells of epithelial tissue line the lumen of respiratory and digestive systems
  5. immune system chapter – neutrophils and other white blood cells phagocytose invaders
  6. blood vessel chapter – septic shock suppresses blood pressure by causing vasodilation

The news item:  Recently the following news report appeared online:

Mysterious fatal infections tied to room spray sold at Walmart

Federal authorities warned Friday that a rare bacterial infection that killed two people has been tied to an aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart. A total of four people in four states were infected earlier this year by the rare tropical disease called melioidosis.

The article stated that four victims of melioidosis were identified in the US, that the disease is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, that the bacterium lives in soils in Southeast Asia, and that the pathogens were traced to aroma therapy spray bottles.

So, Why Do I Care??  Infectious pathogens are found in many locations, and they can cause deadly diseases. In addition to the well-know viruses and bacteria, there are exotic pathogens that cause rare, but just as deadly infections. Therefore, it is important to understand how those exotic pathogens act. Melioidosis has a 50% death rate, and even after antibiotic treatment the death rate remains 10%.

Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about how this bacterium infects our body. The bacteria enter the body through inhaling or ingesting contaminated water. The bacterium then moves into the epithelial cells that line the lumen of the lower respiratory or the epithelial cells that line the lumen of digestive

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