Bacterial and viral pneumonia

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Viral pneumonia: symptoms in children and adults

A characteristic feature of viral pneumonia is inflammatory processes in the lung tissues caused by viruses. This disease occurs more often in children.

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Adults are often subjected to a mixed bacterial-viral attack. The negative impact of viruses on the immune system also leads to bacterial infection. According to medical research, viral pneumonia is most dangerous in young children. In addition, the risk group includes older people and people with lung pathologies.

Bacterial and viral pneumonia

The disease is an inflammation that occurs in an acute form. Under its influence, the lower parts of the respiratory tract are damaged. The main cause of the disease is viruses that enter the body through airborne droplets.

The causes of the disease are adenovirus, influenza and parainfluenza viruses and other types of respiratory viruses. Sometimes the disease can be triggered by the chickenpox and measles viruses. The development of the disease occurs in the first couple of days after the infection enters the body. Under the influence of viruses, the immune system becomes weakened, which makes it possible for a bacterial infection to appear and develop. After 4-5 days, pneumonia becomes bacterial-viral.

Viral pneumonia does not appear out of nowhere. Often this disease is preceded by influenza. In the initial period of the disease, severe intoxication appears. Symptoms include malaise, accompanied by nausea or even vomiting. The patient feels chills and fever, the nose becomes stuffy, and a runny nose appears. A dry cough gradually becomes wet, with the release of mucous sputum. The presence of a bacterial infection is indicated by the presence of purulent discharge in the sputum. Local symptoms manifest themselves in the form of aches and pain in the chest, joints and muscles. The patient experiences shortness of breath, blueness of the fingertips and nose.

Symptoms

More often, the symptoms of viral pneumonia resemble those of the flu or a respiratory viral infection. First of all, a nonproductive cough appears, pain is felt in the chest area, and an increase in body temperature is noted.

After a while, severe headaches arise, a runny nose appears, and the throat begins to feel very sore. Aches and pain are also felt in the joints and muscles. This is accompanied by shortness of breath and fever. Intoxication of the body manifests itself in the form of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Gradually, the cough becomes wet, and bloody discharge can be seen in the sputum.

Viral pneumonia in children

As already noted, this disease is characterized by the presence of viruses that cause inflammatory processes in the lung tissues. The structure of the lungs consists of small sacs called alveoli. During normal inhalation in healthy people, they fill with air. In the presence of viral pneumonia, the alveoli fill with pus and fluid. As a result, breathing becomes difficult and painful, and oxygen reaches the lungs in limited quantities.

Viral pneumonia in its pure form is characteristic of children, especially at a young age, and is distinguished by its own therapeutic, pathogenetic and etiological characteristics. The disease occurs due to pathogenic viruses entering the body. Infection occurs during inhalation, when the infection enters the lungs along with air.

The child develops a cough and a rise in body temperature. Breathing becomes difficult and quickens, and a characteristic whistle is clearly audible. There is loss of appetite and deterioration of the condition. In severe pneumonia, the chest retracts during inhalation. Sometimes children cannot eat and drink normally. The disease is accompanied by convulsions and loss of consciousness. If you have these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The initial diagnosis of the disease is carried out through questioning and examination. Based on the data obtained, a laboratory blood test and x-ray examination are prescribed. A timely diagnosis will allow you to begin proper treatment and avoid complications such as pleurisy, pulmonary destruction and cardiopulmonary failure. The child’s diet must include easily digestible and high-calorie foods, vegetables and fruits. Drinking plenty of fluids will help prevent dehydration.

Viral pneumonia in adults

A distinctive feature of viral pneumonia in adults is the frequent addition of a bacterial infection to this disease. The symptoms of the disease are the same as in children. The causes of infection in the initial stage are viruses, and then, due to a weakening of the immune system, they are joined by a bacterial infection.

During the initial diagnosis, the attending physician examines and interviews the patient. If respiratory failure is detected, then an x-ray is required. This study helps to accurately identify diffuse infiltration and darkening of the lung. A laboratory blood test shows an elevated white blood cell count and ESR. In addition, mucus taken from the throat, nose and nasopharynx is additionally examined. When establishing a diagnosis, the epidemiological situation, the manifestation of symptoms of influenza and other acute respiratory infections are taken into account.

How and with what to treat

Treatment of viral pneumonia in children and adults requires a special approach and is often carried out in a hospital setting. Newborn children, elderly people and persons suffering from severe types of cardiovascular diseases are subject to mandatory hospitalization.

Mild forms of the disease are often treated on an outpatient basis. In the first two days, antiviral drugs are taken, prescribed depending on the causative agent of the disease. In addition, antipyretics are prescribed in the form of Nurofen and Paracetamol. They relieve fever and have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Taking expectorant medications helps ease the discharge of sputum: Ambrobene, Bronchicum, Lazolvan and others. In the presence of a bacterial infection, therapeutic measures are supplemented with antibiotics.

Provided timely treatment, the prognosis of the disease is favorable. But viral pneumonia becomes more complicated when the patient refuses therapy or in the presence of severe forms of the disease. As a result, pulmonary destruction or pleurisy occurs, in which the pleural membranes become inflamed. Sometimes the development of cardiopulmonary failure is observed.

Prevention

In the prevention of viral pneumonia, a role is played by carrying out preventive measures and following certain recommendations. Vaccination against influenza and measles is mandatory. Have less contact with potentially infectious people. During a difficult epidemiological situation, use medical masks. Attention is paid to strengthening the immune system. Proper nutrition, conditioning of the body, and regular exercise are important. The effect is achieved by taking multivitamin complexes and constant adherence to personal hygiene rules.

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Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is an infectious lesion of the lower respiratory tract caused by respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.). Viral pneumonia occurs acutely with a sudden increase in body temperature, chills, intoxication syndrome, wet cough, pleural pain, and respiratory failure. When diagnosing, physical, radiological and laboratory data and the connection between pneumonia and a viral infection are taken into account. Therapy is based on the prescription of antiviral and symptomatic drugs.

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the respiratory tract of the lungs, caused by viral pathogens, occurring with a syndrome of intoxication and respiratory distress. In childhood, viral pneumonia accounts for about 90% of all cases of pneumonia. In the structure of adult morbidity, bacterial pneumonia predominates, and viral pneumonia accounts for 4–39% of the total (persons over 65 years of age are more often affected). The incidence of viral pneumonia is closely related to epidemiological outbreaks of ARVI - their rise occurs in the autumn-winter period. In pulmonology, a distinction is made between primary viral pneumonia (interstitial with a benign course and hemorrhagic with a malignant course) and secondary (viral-bacterial pneumonia - early and late).

Causes of viral pneumonia

The range of pathogens causing viral pneumonia is extremely wide. The most common etiological agents are influenza A and B viruses, parainfluenza, and adenovirus. Persons with immunodeficiencies are more susceptible than others to viral pneumonia caused by the herpes virus and cytomegalovirus. Pneumonia initiated by enteroviruses, hantavirus, metapneumovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus are less commonly diagnosed. SARS-associated coronavirus is the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome, better known as atypical pneumonia. In young children, viral pneumonia is often caused by respiratory syncytial virus, as well as measles and varicella viruses.

Primary viral pneumonia manifests itself in the first 3 days after infection, and after 3-5 days the bacterial flora joins, and the pneumonia becomes mixed - viral-bacterial. Persons at increased risk of developing viral pneumonia include young children, patients over 65 years of age, people with weakened immunity, cardiopulmonary pathology (heart defects, severe arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema) and other concomitant chronic diseases.

Viruses are transmitted through airborne droplets when breathing, talking, sneezing, coughing; a contact-household route of infection through contaminated household items is possible. Viral particles penetrate into the respiratory sections of the respiratory tract, where they are adsorbed on the cells of the bronchial and alveolar epithelium, causing its proliferation, infiltration and thickening of the interalveolar septa, and round cell infiltration of the peribronchial tissue. In severe forms of viral pneumonia, hemorrhagic exudate is detected in the alveoli. Bacterial superinfection significantly aggravates the course of viral pneumonia.

Symptoms of viral pneumonia

Depending on the etiological agent, viral pneumonia can occur with varying degrees of severity, complications and outcomes. Inflammation of the lungs usually occurs from the first days of ARVI.

Thus, damage to the respiratory tract is a frequent companion to adenoviral infection. The onset of pneumonia in most cases is acute, with high fever (38-39°), cough, severe pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and painful lymphadenopathy. The temperature during adenoviral pneumonia lasts a long time (up to a day) and is characterized by large daily fluctuations. Characterized by frequent, short cough, shortness of breath, acrocyanosis, variable moist rales in the lungs. In general, adenoviral pneumonia is distinguished by long-term persistence of clinical and radiological changes, a tendency to recurrent course and complications (pleurisy, otitis media).

The incidence of viral pneumonia against the background of influenza increases significantly during periods of epidemics of respiratory infection. In this case, against the background of typical symptoms of ARVI (fever, severe weakness, myalgia, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract), noticeable shortness of breath, diffuse cyanosis, cough with rust-colored sputum, wheezing in the lungs, and chest pain when inhaling appear. In children, general toxicosis and anxiety are expressed; vomiting, convulsions, and meningeal signs may occur. Influenza pneumonia is usually bilateral in nature, as evidenced by auscultatory findings and an x-ray picture (focal opacities in both lungs).

Mild cases of viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus are characterized by moderate symptoms and end with recovery. Severe forms occur with constant high fever, respiratory failure, and collapse. Complications include influenza encephalitis and meningitis, otitis media, and pyelonephritis. The addition of a secondary bacterial infection often leads to the development of lung abscesses or pleural empyema. Death is possible during the first week of the disease.

Parainfluenza pneumonia most often affects newborns and young children. It is of a small-focal (less often confluent) nature and occurs against the background of catarrhal phenomena. Respiratory disorders and intoxication syndrome are moderate, body temperature usually does not exceed subfebrile values. Severe forms of viral pneumonia with parainfluenza in children occur with severe hyperthermia, convulsions, anorexia, diarrhea, and hemorrhagic syndrome.

A feature of respiratory syncytial pneumonia is the development of severe obstructive bronchiolitis. Damage to the lower parts of the respiratory tract is marked by an increase in body temperature to 38–39 o C and a deterioration in general condition. Due to spasm and blockage of small bronchi with mucus and desquamated epithelium, breathing becomes sharply difficult and rapid, and cyanosis of the nasolabial and periorbital area develops. The cough is frequent, wet, but due to the increased viscosity of sputum, it is unproductive. With this type of viral pneumonia, attention is drawn to the discrepancy between intoxication (moderately expressed) and the degree of respiratory failure (extremely pronounced).

Enteroviral pneumonia, caused by the Coxsackie and ECHO viruses, occurs with scant physical and radiological data. In the clinical picture, concomitant meningeal, intestinal, and cardiovascular disorders come to the fore, making diagnosis difficult.

Diagnosis and treatment of viral pneumonia

A thorough study of the anamnesis, epidemiological situation, assessment of physical and laboratory-radiological data will help to correctly recognize the etiological form of pneumonia and identify the causative agent. Viral pneumonia usually develops during periods of epidemic outbreaks of acute respiratory viral infections, occurs against the background of catarrhal syndrome, and is accompanied by signs of respiratory failure of varying severity. On auscultation, fine bubbling rales are heard in the lungs.

X-rays of the lungs reveal an increased interstitial pattern and the presence of small focal shadows, often in the lower lobes. The study of sputum, tracheal aspirate or bronchial lavage using the fluorescent antibody method helps confirm the viral etiology of pneumonia. In the blood in the acute period, there is a fourfold increase in antibody titers to the viral agent. A comprehensive assessment of objective data by a pulmonologist will exclude atypical pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans, infarction pneumonia, bronchogenic cancer, etc.

Hospitalization for viral pneumonia is indicated only for children under 1 year of age, patients in the older age group (over 65 years old), and those with severe concomitant diseases (COPD, heart failure, diabetes mellitus). Patients are prescribed bed rest, plenty of fluids, and fortified, high-calorie foods.

Etiotropic therapy is prescribed depending on the viral pathogen: rimantadine, oseltamivir, zanamivir - for influenza pneumonia, acyclovir - for herpes viral pneumonia, ganciclovir - for cytomegalovirus infection, ribavirin - for respiratory syncytial pneumonia and hantavirus infection, etc. Antibacterial agents are added only in cases of mixed pneumonia or the development of purulent complications. Expectorants and antipyretics are used as symptomatic treatment. In order to facilitate the discharge of sputum, medicinal inhalations and drainage massage are performed. In case of severe toxicosis, intravenous infusion of solutions is carried out; with the development of respiratory failure - oxygen therapy.

Forecast and prevention of viral pneumonia

In most cases, viral pneumonia ends in recovery within 14 days. In 30-40% of patients, a protracted course of the disease is observed with the persistence of clinical and radiological changes for 3-4 weeks, followed by the development of chronic bronchitis or chronic pneumonia. Morbidity and mortality from viral pneumonia are higher among young children and elderly patients.

Prevention of viral pneumonia is closely related to immunization of the population, primarily, preventive seasonal vaccination against influenza and the most dangerous childhood infections. Nonspecific measures to strengthen the immune system include hardening and vitamin therapy. During periods of epidemic outbreaks of ARVI, it is necessary to observe personal precautions: if possible, avoid contact with patients with respiratory infections, wash your hands more often, ventilate the room, etc. These recommendations especially apply to people at increased risk for the development and complicated course of viral pneumonia.

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Viral and bacterial pneumonia: differences and features

Viral or bacterial pneumonia that affects lung tissue has a different etiology. Viral pneumonia, accordingly, is a consequence of infection of the respiratory system by viruses. Bacterial pneumonia is caused by fungi or bacteria. This disease can also develop as post-traumatic syndrome due to chest injuries.

If you experience a dry cough and shortness of breath, as well as blood in your sputum, you should immediately consult a doctor! These may be signs of viral pneumonia. And if, after normalization of body temperature, a second wave of fever appears, this may indicate a bacterial infection; pneumonia in this case is not contagious, and, as a rule, is easily suppressed by treatment with antibiotics.

In this material you will learn how these diseases differ, how they manifest themselves, and what preventive measures you need to take to protect yourself and your loved ones from possible complications.

Causes of viral and bacterial pneumonia: etiology of the disease

The viral and bacterial disease pneumonia can develop in any period of the disease - as a result of the addition of bacterial flora, but its most dangerous forms are those that occur in the early stages (1-3 days of illness) and are caused directly by the influenza virus. In this case, the entire lung tissue is affected, resulting in an extremely severe disease. Symptoms of viral pneumonia are accompanied by pulmonary edema, which is the cause of most deaths.

Since the virus is still actively manifesting itself at this time, it is extremely important to begin antiviral therapy with neuraminidase inhibitors and interferon drugs in a hospital setting as early as possible. Therefore, early diagnosis of such pneumonia can save the patient’s life! Don't delay calling a doctor at home! In this case, the clock counts.

If a complication of influenza is bacterial pneumonia, then it manifests itself as a prolonged fever - more than 5 days - or the appearance of a second temperature wave after the body temperature seems to have returned to normal. As a rule, in this case, with a short temporary normalization of temperature, the patient’s well-being does not improve.

Doctors believe that if pneumonia develops in the first few days against the background of the onset of influenza, then the person is suffering from viral pneumonia. Pneumonia, which develops on days 5-7, is of a viral-bacterial nature. The virus is already leaving, but bacterial flora has joined and viral-bacterial pneumonia develops.

But doctors are especially concerned about the development of pneumonia in the first days of the disease. Between days 2 and 7 of influenza, distress may develop.

This is the so-called shock lung. This condition can lead to a sharp disruption of oxygen transport in the body and will require artificial ventilation.

The disease affects the lung tissue. The causes of pneumonia are infection of the respiratory system by viruses, bacteria or fungi. The most common cause of the disease is a bacterial infection. The culprits of the disease can be staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci, as well as Haemophilus influenzae and other pathogenic bacteria. Non-infectious causes of pneumonia can be toxic substances or allergic components. Inflammation of the lungs can also develop against the background of chest injuries.

It is the doctor’s job to understand the diagnosis and prescribe treatment. It is important for the patient not to waste precious time. Doctors advise treating the flu in much the same way as appendicitis. When the first symptoms appear, immediately call a doctor and, if necessary, agree to hospitalization.

Differences between viral and bacterial pneumonia: symptoms, how the disease manifests itself

Viral pneumonia has a number of features that distinguish it from bacterial pneumonia. However, viral pneumonia rarely develops without bacterial complications. It is often complicated by a bacterial infection. Viral pneumonia without bacterial infection is observed in children in more than 85 percent of cases. In adults, viral-bacterial pneumonia is most often diagnosed.

Table “Differences and features of viral and bacterial pneumonia”:

Is contagious, like any acute respiratory viral disease (ARI)

Epidemiologically, it is not considered contagious.

Short incubation period - from 2 to 5 days.

The bacterial disease pneumonia has a long incubation period—from 3 days to 2 weeks.

Pneumonia always appears as a complication of an acute respiratory viral disease, most often influenza.

There is not always a previous disease.

Lasts about 24 hours. Particularly expressed. The main symptoms of viral pneumonia are: severe muscle pain, aching bones, nasal congestion, runny nose.

The patient does not notice him.

A pronounced onset of the disease, in which the body temperature quickly increases to 39-39.5 degrees

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia appear gradually, the temperature does not exceed 37.5-38 degrees.

The most common symptoms of general intoxication syndrome are: fever; chills; muscle and headaches; general fatigue; dyspeptic disorders in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Expressed The most common symptoms of intoxication syndrome are: high temperature; chills; headache; general weakness; loss of appetite; rapid heartbeat (more than 90 beats per minute).

Signs of lung tissue damage

Symptoms of lung damage during infectious pneumonia are mild at the onset of the disease. Symptoms of general malaise come to the fore.

Pulmonary symptoms are evident from the first days of the disease.

A moderate nonproductive cough has been observed for a long time. Gradually, a small amount of mucous sputum begins to be released. The sputum is clear or whitish in color and odorless. Sometimes streaks of blood appear in the sputum.

A dry cough quickly turns into a wet cough. At first, a small amount of mucous sputum is produced. The volume of sputum increases and it becomes mucopurulent. The color of sputum can be different: greenish, yellowish or rusty with an admixture of blood.

Signs of respiratory failure

In advanced stages, viral pneumonia manifests itself as acute respiratory failure with severe shortness of breath and cyanosis of the lips, nose and nails

The main symptoms of respiratory failure are: severe shortness of breath, even at rest; cyanosis of lips, nose and fingers; rapid breathing - more than 40 respiratory movements per minute.

Moderate chest pain is noted. The pain intensifies when coughing and taking deep breaths.

Severe pain appears in the chest when coughing and taking a deep breath.

Auscultatory data (listening)

Throughout the illness, harsh breathing with occasional isolated wheezing can be heard.

Many moist rales of varying size and intensity are heard.

A picture of interstitial (intercellular) pneumonia is observed. The main X-ray characteristics of viral pneumonia are: thickening of the interlobar septa, which gives the lung tissue the appearance of a honeycomb; moderate compaction and darkening of the tissue around the bronchi; enlargement of peribronchial nodes; emphasizing the vessels in the area of ​​the roots of the lungs.

There are no highly specific signs of bacterial pneumonia. The main characteristics of an x-ray are: darkened areas of the lung of various sizes (focal or diffuse); the contours of the lesion are blurred; slight darkening of the lung tissue (decreased airiness); identifying the level of fluid in the pleural cavity.

General blood analysis

There is a decrease in the number of leukocytes (white blood cells). Sometimes lymphocytosis (increased number of lymphocytes) and/or monocytosis (increased number of monocytes) appears.

Severe leukocytosis and an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are detected.

Response to antibiotic therapy

Negative reaction to antibiotics. Antiviral therapy is effective in the first days of the disease.

A positive reaction to antibiotics is visible from the first days of treatment.

Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The correct drug for a particular situation is selected and prescribed by the doctor. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate! The diagnosis of “viral pneumonia” requires immediate hospitalization of the patient!

Complications of the flu and possible consequences of pneumonia

After the flu, complications develop frequently - in approximately 10-15% of all patients. A frequent complication after influenza is acute pneumonia (both viral and bacterial); they are detected in almost 10% of all patients and in approximately half of hospitalized patients with influenza, predominantly severe and moderate forms. The second place in frequency is occupied by complications from JIOP organs - sinusitis, otitis, sinusitis. Less common are pyelonephritis, myocarditis, and disorders in the blood system.

Influenza infection can change the properties of blood, increase its coagulability, which increases the likelihood of blood clots, and this, in turn, can cause damage to the myocardium and kidney tissue.

The main, most dangerous complication of influenza is influenza (viral) pneumonia, and the consequences after the illness can be the most unpredictable.

Pneumonia - also known as pneumonia - belongs to the category of dangerous and often unpredictable diseases. Incorrect diagnosis and untimely treatment can lead to death. Remember that the symptoms of pneumonia are similar to those of other respiratory diseases. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is made only after a specialized examination. Simply listening to the lungs with a phonendoscope is not enough to diagnose pneumonia! At a minimum, the doctor will refer the patient for blood tests and x-rays. Often, if pneumonia is suspected, the patient is immediately hospitalized, and the necessary tests are carried out in the hospital.

Treatment for pneumonia takes time. It all depends on the clinical manifestations, the nature of the lesion and the age of the patient, the general condition of his body. Prevention plays an important role, especially in cases of chronic respiratory diseases and reduced immunity.

In severe cases, the disease affects the lungs. The consequences of pneumonia can include damage to other organs not related to the respiratory system.

A possible complication of pneumonia is pleurisy, which is associated with inflammation of the pleura. As a result of the accumulation of exudate, a complication leads to purulent pleurisy. With purulent inflammation, destruction of the lungs occurs. Cavities form in the lung tissues in which pus accumulates. The most severe consequences of pneumonia are considered to be gangrene and pulmonary edema.

However, with timely treatment, pneumonia can be defeated.

If you have a cough and shortness of breath due to the flu or ARVI, call a doctor immediately! A dangerous sign is the appearance of blood in the sputum.

Recommendations for primary prevention of viral and bacterial pneumonia

To protect yourself and your children from pneumonia, you can take preventive measures. The most effective recommendation for the prevention of pneumonia is vaccination against pneumococcus. Fortunately, such vaccines have already appeared in Russia. Remember that for primary prevention of pneumonia, you need to get vaccinated in a healthy state, preferably not during the epidemic season.

Adults will be able to protect themselves with the Pneumo-23 vaccine.

And Prevenar-13 and Synflorix are suitable for children.

In 2014, the vaccination schedule against pneumococcus Prevenar was included in the vaccination calendar, but it is not offered to all children, but only to those who have a weakened immune system and have chronic diseases:

If you want to provide yourself or your child with additional protection against pneumococcal infection during seasonal flu, you can also get a paid vaccination. Look for pneumococcal vaccines at referral pharmacies or get vaccinated at health centers where the necessary vaccine will be provided and delivered to you. If you take the prevention of viral and bacterial pneumonia seriously, you can protect yourself and your family from this dangerous disease.

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Viral-bacterial pneumonia

Viral-bacterial pneumonia begins against the background of ARVI. Its causative agents are influenza viruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial virus. Pneumonia of this etiology most often develops against the background of an epidemic outbreak of a viral infection, but can also occur sporadically.

Symptoms

The clinical picture is primarily determined by the peculiarities of this outbreak of acute respiratory viral infection and is supplemented by symptoms of pneumonia. Two extreme variants of the course of ARVI can be distinguished.

The first is limited mainly to catarrhal phenomena in the nasopharynx (nasal discharge, sneezing). Pneumonia with this manifestation of a respiratory infection usually occurs in no more than one or two children out of the total number affected by the outbreak (5-10), and usually occurs in a mild form.

In another variant of ARVI, moderate to severe manifestations of laryngotracheitis come to the fore; here the number of people with pneumonia is much larger; viral-bacterial pneumonia often occurs in severe form. Viral-bacterial pneumonia begins against the background of ARVI symptoms: cough and nasal discharge. The disease often develops acutely, with a deterioration of the condition due to the manifestation of infectious toxicosis, signs of which may include respiratory arrest, pale skin, symptoms of central nervous system depression, as well as respiratory disorders (shortness of breath, cyanosis). One of the symptoms of intoxication in children may be intestinal paresis.

This form of pneumonia is characterized by a large number of moist rales, initially fine-bubble, sonorous, which become larger and quieter as the pneumonia resolves. With confluent viral-bacterial pneumonia, along with wheezing, weakened or exacerbated breathing and shortening of the percussion sound are noted.

Many patients have severe catarrhal symptoms; thick mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract, which can lead to cyanosis and respiratory arrest in children, which requires frequent sanitation to prevent. A characteristic feature is the presence of a cough, from a mild cough to a pronounced laryngotracheal cough, which gradually softens and becomes moist.

Children may develop obstructive syndrome, which in some epidemic outbreaks can occur in 20-40% of cases.

Diagnostics

An X-ray examination of the lungs, along with the infiltrative process, may reveal moderate to severe secondary atelectasis, the formation of which is caused by blockage of bronchioles with mucus.

The blood picture reflects the presence of an infectious process (leukocytosis, leukopenia, shift in the leukoformula to the left), but may remain intact, even with severe inflammation.

Exodus

The duration of viral-bacterial pneumonia is 2-3, less often 4 weeks. Wheezing is usually heard within 14 days. Despite the severity of the course, the prognosis for this disease is favorable; deaths are extremely rare and are caused by severe concomitant diseases.

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Features of symptoms of viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is quite common these days. Viruses act as causative agents of this most dangerous inflammation of the lung tissue. The pathology affects the lungs completely or only part of this organ of the respiratory system. Viral infections are very common in teenagers and young children.

Etiology of the disease

Pathological pathogens penetrate the lungs through airborne droplets. Aspiration of the oropharynx occurs

flora or inhalation of infectious agents contained in the air.

The development of pneumonia can be provoked by pathogens of herpes, parainfluenza, rubella, chickenpox, adenovirus, PC infection, measles, SARS, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr. Chronic diseases increase the likelihood of getting pneumonia: diabetes, cancer, heart disease, asthma. Viral pneumonia has a clearly seasonal character. Most often, a dangerous illness is recorded during an influenza epidemic, in winter and autumn.

Manifestations of viral pneumonia

Incubation period

The severity of this insidious disease and the duration of the latent period depend on the type of pathogenic microorganism that became the culprit of the pathology. The activity of the infectious agent also matters. If the culprit of pneumonia is the influenza virus, the latent period lasts from 18 to 72 hours. In other cases, the incubation period for viral pneumonia lasts from 2 to 5 days. Due to the small number of infectious agents, the harm they cause to the body is initially invisible. The disease has not yet manifested itself, symptoms have not appeared, but the patient is already infected. The number of viruses that multiply inside affected human cells is gradually increasing. Later, adults experience a violent reaction of the macroorganism. The patient's immune system fights viruses. Antibodies are formed to the smallest intracellular parasites.

Characteristic manifestations of the initial stage of pathology

Viral pneumonia is acute:

  1. Initially, already in the first days after infection, clinical symptoms gradually form. There is an active development of the disease, which has several stages.
  2. Initially, the signs of this type of pneumonia are similar to the manifestations of ARVI. The immune system is significantly weakened during viral pneumonia, so usually bacterial flora appears after 3-5 days. In this situation, adults develop severe viral-bacterial pneumonia.

In the acute period of the disease, the patient suffers from severe symptoms:

  1. The upper respiratory tract is often the first to be attacked by a virus. Initially, rhinorrhea is noted. Respiratory failure then occurs

labored breathing.

  • During each attack of coughing or the entry of air into the lungs, the intercostal muscles are strongly tensed, therefore, with viral pneumonia, difficult pathological noisy breathing is usually observed, which is similar to the crowing of a rooster, hiccups, and whistling. Severe intoxication manifests itself at the very beginning of the disease. There is an increase in body temperature to 38–40˚С.
  • The lungs oxygenate the blood less efficiently because the lung tissue loses its elasticity. Often the body's ability to supply tissues with oxygen becomes insufficient.
  • This forces the lungs to work more intensely. Headache, pleural and musculoskeletal pain are typical.

    • At stage 2, the patient’s condition worsens

    1. At night, the patient suffers from a debilitating dry non-productive cough. Later a painful wet cough appears.
    2. Crepitation occurs in the lungs - a characteristic crunching sound. Sometimes during a coughing attack, bloody sputum is produced.
    3. On auscultation, a shortening of the percussion sound is noted. Rough breathing sounds of pleural friction are heard. If the patient takes a deep breath, fine moist rales can be detected in the lungs.
    4. However, the characteristic crunching sounds are heard very rarely in young children. If there is a dull tone to percussion, this is evidence of pleural effusion.
    5. A pathological accumulation of fluid occurs in the patient’s pleural cavity. Children usually experience increased breathing - tachypnea. The flaring of the baby's nostrils indicates difficulty in the functioning of the lungs and heavy breathing.
    6. Loss of voice, laryngeal stenosis, and a feeling of discomfort in the throat develop very quickly. Shortness of breath accompanies sudden attacks of fever. Subsequently, severe lack of air becomes permanent.
    1. Emphysema. In adults, there is an increased content of air in the lung tissue. Blood circulation in the respiratory organs is disrupted. Serous fluid is produced and accumulated in the alveoli.
    2. Hemorrhagic and catarrhal laryngotracheitis develop. Foci of atelectasis appear. The lung tissue collapses and loses its airiness.

    Nonspecific symptoms in children:

    1. Decreased physical activity and body weight. Short bouts of apnea.
    2. A viral infection is accompanied by skin rashes. Often there is a sharp drop in blood pressure, profuse night sweats, and decreased physical activity.
    3. Abdominal pain is often observed in young children. A runny nose and nasal congestion cause discomfort. Characteristic is a grayish or bluish color of the fingertips and lips.
    4. Pathological fluid fills the cells of the lungs in the form of bubbles filled with air. These affected alveoli cannot perform their functions.

    Diagnosis of pathology

    A set of characteristic signs shows the real picture of the disease.

    The doctor assesses the patient’s breathing pattern and determines the location of breathing sounds. Blood tests and x-rays are performed to obtain additional information and determine the type of pneumonia. The white blood cell count usually remains normal. A neutrophil shift in the formula is usually noted in blood tests.

    Treatment of viral pneumonia

    Under no circumstances should you carry the disease on your feet. Bed rest for this disease is mandatory for all patients. As a rule, compared to the bacterial form of pneumonia, viral pneumonia is less dangerous. Only a doctor should treat this disease.

    Objectives of complex therapy:

    • relief of symptoms;
    • removal of bronchial secretions.

    Antibiotics for pneumonia

    Antibiotics for pneumonia of pulmonary viral etiology are not indicated. The doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs, a vitamin and mineral complex, which alleviate the symptoms of the pathology. Effective in the lungs are drugs that reduce the viscosity of sputum and expectorants. Massage is indicated after the temperature has normalized. Enough high-calorie nutrition effectively helps treat the patient and promotes recovery.

    In most cases, this type of pneumonia is cured within 1–2 weeks if proper and adequate treatment for viral pneumonia is prescribed. A special clinical characteristic is the specificity of inflammation of viral origin. Severe. Symptoms increase gradually. the course of the pathology is characteristic of pneumonia of viral etiology. The infection is especially severe in children.

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    Source: http://pnevmoniya.com/simptomy/virusnoy-pnevmonii.html

    Viral and bacterial etiology of pneumonia: difficulties of differential diagnosis

    Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory disease, as it progresses, the alveoli and interstitial tissue of the lungs are damaged. Clinically, the pathology is manifested by fever, a feeling of weakness, chest pain, cough with sputum. Diagnosis of pneumonia involves auscultation and radiography. Therapeutic tactics partly depend on the etiological factor of the disease, so you need to understand how to distinguish viral pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia.

    Etiological factors for the development of pneumonia

    Infectious pathogens of pneumonia can be:

    1. Bacteria:
      • gram-positive (pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci);
      • gram-negative (enterobacteriaceae, Proteus, Legionella, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella);
      • mycoplasma.
    2. Viruses (influenza viruses, parainfluenza, herpes, adenoviruses).
    3. Fungi.

    Pneumonia can also be provoked by non-infectious factors: traumatic injuries to the chest, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, however, with the progression of the disease provoked in this way, the addition of an infection cannot be ruled out.

    Distinctive features of viral and bacterial pneumonia

    To determine the optimal treatment tactics, an important point is to determine the main etiological factor of the disease. Bacteria and viruses are the most common pathogens, and some differences in the development of symptoms of the disease will help you find out which pneumonia is viral or bacterial.

    The list of clinical manifestations of viral and bacterial pneumonia is somewhat similar, but still there is a difference that allows confirming a specific diagnosis. Both patients and doctors should pay attention to the following points:

    1. The duration of the disease in the case of a viral etiology of the disease is somewhat longer. A sharp deterioration in health is observed over 1-3 days, then the condition improves somewhat, but clinical manifestations persist for a week or longer.
    2. The color of expectorated sputum. If the sputum is clear and mucous, then this speaks in favor of a viral etiology of the disease; in the case of a bacterial nature of the disease, the color of the sputum may be yellowish-green.
    3. The nature of the increase in body temperature. Viral pneumonia provokes a sharp temperature jump to 38.5-39 degrees, the fever persists for several days. In the case of a bacterial infection, the temperature rises gradually.
    4. Analysis of risk factors. In making a diagnosis, an important role is played by the fact whether there were contacts with sick people.

    What the research says

    A number of scientific studies have revealed that the incidence of pneumonia of viral etiology in childhood is significantly higher than diseases of a bacterial nature. The most common causative agent of pneumonia in children is respiratory syncytial virus.

    Fact! A study of the structure of childhood pneumonia in the states of Tennessee and Utah found that the progression of a viral infection caused 73% of clinical cases of the disease. The decrease in the incidence of bacterial pneumonia is associated with the introduction of vaccination against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae.

    Conducting clinical studies and analyzing their results allows us to draw the following conclusions:

    1. Currently, there is a need to develop effective regimens of antiviral prophylaxis and therapy, which will reduce the incidence and facilitate the recovery process for patients, especially children.
    2. In early childhood, hospitalization and the entire course of treatment in a hospital setting are often required.
    3. The most common bacterial pathogen causing pneumonia among children aged 5-18 years is mycoplasma.

    Tactics of therapeutic correction of pneumonia

    Having answered the question whether pneumonia is a viral or bacterial disease in a specific clinical case, the doctor must select the most rational treatment regimen depending on the suspected pathogen, as well as taking into account the patient’s age and some other factors (drug tolerance, pregnancy, etc.).

    The general treatment regimen involves prescribing:

    • antibiotics in case of bacterial nature of the disease;
    • antiviral agents for viral etiology of the disease;
    • detoxification treatment;
    • immunostimulating drugs;
    • expectorant medications.

    After the acute phase of the infectious-inflammatory process has passed, physiotherapy and physical therapy are prescribed. Among the effective physiotherapeutic techniques, electrophoresis with potassium iodide, calcium chloride, hyaluronidase, as well as ultra-high-frequency therapy, inhalations at home and chest massage should be noted. All this accelerates the process of eliminating the inflammatory focus.

    Pneumonia in most cases requires hospitalization in a pulmonology or general medical hospital. An important point in treatment is strict bed rest. In addition, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (warm teas, decoctions, milk), an optimal nutritional diet, and vitamin therapy.

    Features of drug treatment

    Antibiotics in the case of a bacterial nature of the disease should be selected by a specialist. Self-medication can lead to the development of serious complications, blurring the clinical picture of the pathology, which creates difficulties in further diagnosis.

    Most often, in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, drugs from the following groups are prescribed:

    • penicillins (amoxiclav, ampicillin);
    • cephalosporins (cefazolin, cefotaxime);
    • macrolides (roxithromycin, spiramycin).

    Antibiotics can be prescribed in tablet and injection form; the choice of a specific one is made by a specialist.

    When treating nosocomial pneumonia, aminoglycosides (gentamicin), carbapenems (imipenem), and fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin) are added to the above list of antibiotics.

    The duration of the course of antibiotics is 1-2 weeks. If treatment is ineffective, the doctor may decide on the need to change the medication.

    For viral etiology of pneumonia, medications such as arbidol, zanamivir, and oseltamivir can be prescribed. The dosage regimen is determined by a specialist depending on the characteristics of the clinical case.

    Symptomatic drug therapy requires the use of expectorants (ambrohexal, acetylcysteine ​​and others), immunomodulators, and vitamin-mineral complexes.

    What else you should know

    Recovery from pneumonia is determined by the disappearance of characteristic clinical manifestations, as well as radiological and tomographic signs of the disease. An important factor is the normalization of general clinical laboratory blood tests.

    The prognosis for viral and bacterial pneumonia depends on the patient’s age, the presence of background pathologies, the state of the immune system, and the rationality of the prescribed course of therapeutic correction. Timely initiation of treatment makes it possible to cure a dangerous disease within the optimal time frame and completely restore the structure of the lung tissue.

    To prevent pneumonia, you should harden the body and strengthen the immune system. It is important to minimize the possibility of hypothermia. In addition, foci of chronic respiratory tract infections should be promptly sanitized. Getting rid of bad habits will also have a positive effect. To reduce the risk of pneumonia in patients forced to remain in bed for a long time, therapeutic exercises should be carried out, paying special attention to breathing exercises, as well as massage.

    Despite the difference between viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia, this disease must be treated according to medical prescriptions - both forms of pathology are dangerous and can lead to the development of serious complications, including death.

    Are you sure you are not infected with parasites?

    According to WHO, about 97% of people worldwide are infected with parasites. The most difficult thing is that they are quite difficult to detect and destroy.

    There are symptoms by which you can definitely say that parasites live in your body:

    • Allergic reactions.
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    Better read what Honored Doctor of Russia Victoria Dvornichenko says about this. For the last 2-3 years I have been suffering from very bad health - endless colds and coughs, problems with the throat and bronchi, headaches, problems with excess weight, nausea, constipation, loss of strength, weakness and terrible depression. Numerous tests, visits to specialists, diets and medications, unfortunately, did not solve my problems. The doctors simply shrugged their shoulders. BUT thanks to a simple recipe, headaches, colds, gastrointestinal problems are now a thing of the past - my weight has returned to normal and I feel HEALTHY, energetic and full of strength. Now my attending physician is surprised how this is so. Here is a link to the article.

    A very competent article, I’m glad I found this site, I learned a lot of new and interesting things, I recommend everyone to read it, I think everyone should know this information.

    I have never encountered pneumonia and I hope that I will not, but I enjoyed reading your article, I learned a lot of important information, thank you for your work. I will recommend your site to friends and family, let them also read the information.

    Source: http://mainrox.ru/pnevmoniya/vidy/pnevmoniya-virusnaya-ili-bakterialnaya