How is pneumonia flowing?

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults

Pneumonia is an infectious disease. It remains one of the most common in the world. It is the leader among nosocomial infections leading to death. It is important to know the symptoms of pneumonia in adults in order to take timely action. Treatment of pneumonia and the prognosis of the development of the disease depends on the nature of the infection, age and general condition of the patient.

What is pneumonia and how dangerous it is

Inflammation of the lungs in an acute form is called pneumonia. It is caused by infections that can be transmitted in various ways, affecting the lung tissue. In the list of diseases that caused death, she is in fifth place, and medicine does not always help. Lethal outcome among adults from pneumonia is 10-33%. Intrahospital and atypical form of the disease takes even more lives - the risk of dying increases to 50%. In elderly people, people with weakened immunity, the prognosis of pneumonia is often disappointing.

From usual pneumonia, 1-3% of young patients who do not have diseases that die, can die. Among elderly patients, the mortality rate is up to 40-50%. Causes of death from pneumonia:

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  • Concomitant diseases, such as cardiac pathologies, existing respiratory diseases (such as bronchitis), diabetes mellitus, problems in the genitourinary system;
  • bad habits (smoking, especially lengthy experience, drug addiction, alcoholism);
  • dysfunctional living conditions;
  • weakened immunity.

A special risk of inflammation of the lungs is for pregnant women. The disease itself is heavy due to dangerous pathologies. For a woman who carries a child, she is doubly dangerous - for the future mother and fetus. In early terms, pneumonia is threatened by an embryo, the tissues and organs of which are not yet formed. In the last trimester for a child, pneumonia is less dangerous than for a mother. Prevention is simple: strengthening the immune system of the mother.

The first signs of pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults depend on the type of infection that caused the disease. There are several types of pneumonia, and each has its own clinical picture. The provoking factor for the onset of pneumonia is hypothermia affecting the upper respiratory tract. In the elderly, it often goes into a pathological form. Symptoms of pneumonia in adults are several: they are divided into varieties of insidious disease. The common form of pneumonia is viral, occurs in half the cases. Other reasons:

  • bacteria;
  • mycoplasma;
  • fungus;
  • parasites;
  • chlamydia;
  • streptococcus.

Atypical

A disease that occurs without symptoms characteristic of pneumonia is called atypical. The latent inflammation of the lungs is dangerous because it is delayed for its treatment, when many complications appear. Pulmonary manifestations fade into the background, the patient is more concerned about general intoxication. The X-ray does not show changes in the airway. Signs of atypical inflammation:

  • dry cough;
  • sore throat;
  • muscle pain;
  • headache;
  • weakness.

Aseptic atypical pneumonia is caused by Legionella, viruses, chlamydia, mycoplasmas, therefore, it is treated with antimicrobials. After infection, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in a period of 2 to 10 days. Changes in the lungs begin later than with a typical pneumonia. The temperature rises, the patient starts to suffocate, he does not have enough air. A large percentage of patients can be cured at home, but sometimes the ailment is difficult. The mortality from this type of disease is 3-5%, the cause is cardiopulmonary insufficiency.

Viral

This type of disease is caused by several viruses. In the first place - the flu. At the onset of pneumonia, triggered by the influenza virus, malaise is noticeable during 3-5 days. Then the condition worsens, shortness of breath starts, chest pains appear. Pneumonia is treated with rimantadine, zanamivir, oseltamivir. Viral pneumonia is caused by cytomegalovirus.

Serious complication of viral pneumonia is SARS, respiratory syndrome. It is caused by the viruses of Paramyxoviridae (they are also the cause of measles and mumps). The syndrome poses a great danger. Symptoms of pneumonia in adults with viral pneumonia are:

  • very high temperature accompanied by chills;
  • dry cough (unproductive);
  • headache and muscle pain;
  • fatigue without reason.

Bacterial

The cause of pneumonia in this case are bacteria: pneumococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus. Bacterial pneumonia begins with a sharp temperature jump to a mark of 41 degrees. It lasts up to 3 days, and this symptom is considered a clear sign of bacterial infection. If the temperature then falls, then rises - this is a viral picture. Pneumococcal pneumonia is accompanied by the escape of "rusty" sputum, cardiac contractions become more frequent (tachycardia), breathing becomes more difficult. Treat the disease with antibiotics.

Grybkovoy

The most dangerous variant of pulmonary inflammation is fungal infection. It is due to the fact that fungal pneumonia is not manifested at first, and people do not know that they are sick. The disease is diagnosed late. The onset of the process of inflammation of the lung tissue is like atypical pneumonia, but with the exacerbation of symptoms, the nature of lung damage changes, cavities are formed. A frequent causative agent of such pneumonia is Candida albicans, a fungus. Initially, the patient has catarrhal symptoms: fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. Then, when pussy is pus, then the correct diagnosis is made.

The main symptoms of pneumonia in an adult

The cold, the flu, should not last more than 7 days, if in 4-7 days after the onset of an acute respiratory infection the condition of the patient worsened, this signal starts in the lower respiratory tract of a dangerous inflammation. Symptoms of pneumonia in adults include pallor and dyspnea. If they have a cold, they are accompanied by weakness, sweating, decreased appetite - this is typical for intoxication in the beginning of pneumonia.

Temperature with pneumonia

With atypical pneumonia, body temperature is not always greater than 3,. In the usual cases, a sharp increase to 40 degrees is typical. With pneumonia, antipyretic drugs do not work. If you can not bring down the temperature - it's a sign of pneumonia. The temperature begins to drop when antibiotics work. It is dangerous if the disease runs without temperature: the patients sometimes do not take measures until the condition worsens. How much the temperature lasts depends on the pathogen: a fungus, a bacterium or a virus.

What a cough with pneumonia

At the beginning of the disease, a cough is dry, this is called unproductive. He becomes obtrusive, constant, exhausting. Inflammation develops - this symptom also changes. The sputum departs, the color of which depends on the nature of the infection: yellow-green, purulent, "rusty." Nasal cough, which does not pass for 7-10 days, is a clear sign of the inflammatory process in the lungs.

Voice tremor

The doctor can recognize the symptoms of the disease, assessing the patient's jittery response. The patient says words where there are several "p" sounds, and the doctor puts his hands on his chest, and determines the voice trembling. With pneumonia, part of the lung, or it is whole, becomes denser. This will be noticed by the medical doctor who conducts the diagnostics, by the fact that the voice tremor is amplified.

Diagnosis of the disease

If there is a suspicion of an inflammatory process in the lungs, a comprehensive diagnosis is performed. Sometimes already at the primary admission the doctor can determine the disease by conducting an auscultation, that is, having listened to the chest with a phonendoscope. But the main method of diagnosis in an adult is an X-ray. Necessarily the patient will take blood for general and biochemical analysis. If the patient is in the hospital, examine the culture of sputum, urine, check blood for antibodies to viruses.

Types of pneumonia

The mild forms of pneumonia, found in the initial stage, are treated at home. Remember that even mild pneumonia will complicate with improper care. It is necessary to adhere to the doctor's recommendations how to treat pneumonia in the home:

  • antipyretic drugs, anti-inflammatory;
  • an abundant drink is prescribed;
  • an important component of the treatment is a diet: the body is poisoned by toxins, light foods, more fluids are required.

How to treat pneumonia, how long the process will last depends on the severity and variety of the disease. Infection is sometimes found in the lung tissue for years, leading to a chronic illness. Fibers and connective tissues are damaged, they press on the pulmonary vesicles, which leads to hardening of the lungs, pneumosclerosis. The patient feels discomfort, constantly coughs. It is a slow, prolonged illness, which gradually leads to complications.

Conventional pneumonia is divided into mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe in severity, it depends on how the disease proceeds. Severe acute forms include pleuropneumonia, when one or more of the lungs are inflamed. There is pneumonia in the localization:

  • Focal (concentrated in the focus of inflammation);
  • segmental or polysegmentary, depending on whether one or more segments are located;
  • share - does not exceed one share;
  • total - covers all the lungs.

One-sided and two-sided

The inflammatory process is concentrated either on one side or it is bilateral. Unilateral pneumonia is divided into two types:

  1. Right-sided - occurs more often, the right bronchus is wider than the left and shorter than it, the infection penetrates there freer.
  2. Left-sided - develops less often, with it there are stagnant processes in the lung.

Two-sided covers both lungs: all lung tissue becomes inflamed, and the disease is provoked by bacteria (pneumococcus, hemophilic rod). Against the background of one infection, other harmful microorganisms are multiplied, mixed-infection develops. In the fight against a person enter several pathogens, to select antibacterial drugs for treatment is difficult.

Basal

The focus of inflammation, located along the root of the lung, is difficult to diagnose. Such cases are called basal pneumonia. In the diagnosis of computed tomography. The doctor should exclude tuberculosis and lung cancer, the focus of inflammation is similar to a picture on a tumor. Tuberculin tests are carried out. If you mistakenly prescribe drugs against tuberculosis, but they do not give an effect - this is considered a diagnostic sign.

Bronchopneumonia

Bronchial pneumonia characterizes the lesion of small branches of the bronchial tree of the patient. Bronchopneumonia refers to focal. The process of recovery will take a long time. Sometimes the disease is secondary, develops against the background of bronchitis. A person tries to cure bronchitis, that is prolonged, the condition worsens, weakness appears, temperature jumps. The cough that accompanies bronchitis intensifies, unpleasant purulent sputum is separated, at times - with veins of blood.

Important symptoms of this disease: shortness of breath, increased heart rate to 110 strokes for a minute, chest pain. To the development of bronchopneumonia leads not only bronchitis, but also ARVI. Often this type of pneumonia and viruses cause this kind of pneumonia, in order to treat the disease correctly, establish a pathogen, prescribe antiviral drugs or antibacterial. How much the disease is treated depends on the type of pathogen.

Hospital

In addition to community-acquired pneumonia, which develops under normal conditions, there is a serious form of illness - hospital, it is also hospital-acquired. The diagnosis is made when the inflammation appears after two days and more after placing a person in a hospital clinic with a completely different diagnosis. This is the most ruthless species, killing 50% of patients. The disease is caused by microorganisms. Types of nosocomial pneumonia:

  • associated with artificial ventilation;
  • postoperative;
  • Hospital-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized in serious condition.

Immunity of patients is weakened, the body struggled with another disease, was not ready to invade new microbes. To save the situation, patients are placed with droppers, use intravenous nutrition to maintain the vital forces of the body, use drugs of a new generation, potent drugs. Cure nosocomial pneumonia can not always. Treatment of pneumonia in this case is excluded.

The equity

Fracture pneumonia affects the lobe of the lung and the pleura. With this type of pneumonia, it is important to schedule injections of antibiotics, the duration of which is determined by the doctor. Applied physiotherapy, detoxification. Partial pneumonia begins suddenly and sharply. There are three forms of the disease:

  • Upper-lobar - it is difficult, with neurological disorders;
  • lower-lobed - gives a pseudo-picture of the "acute abdomen which confuses during diagnosis, chills and "rusty" sputum are characteristic;
  • central - inflammation develops deep in the lung, symptomatology is poorly defined, difficult to define.

Croupous

Croupous pneumonia proceeds acutely. The nature of the defeat of the lungs is bilateral. If the pathology is not recognized and the treatment is not started quickly, the patient will die from cerebral hypoxia and cardiovascular insufficiency. The first day the patient has a dry cough. The next day, sputum is rusty, vomiting occurs. On the third day, it becomes worse, dyspnea appears, tachycardia develops. The patient is not able to climb to one floor. Treat croupous pneumonia in pulmonology, in a hospital or resuscitation. Pulmonary lobes of the patient are totally affected on both sides.

Video: types and symptoms of pneumonia

Pneumonia is a dangerous disease, it is important to determine it in the early stages, when the treatment is effective even with folk remedies at home. In the video offered below, experts will tell in detail about the symptoms of pneumonia, teach what to look for if pneumonia occurs without the typical symptoms. Timely detection will avoid irreversible consequences.

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How does pneumonia develop in newborns?

Pneumonia in newborns is a fairly common disease that a baby can get infected while in the womb or directly in the process of giving birth.

Just a few decades ago, this diagnosis jeopardized not only health, but also the life of the child, but today the situation has radically changed. Of course, the baby will have to take complex treatment, but the chances of his survival will be much higher.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

As a rule, pneumonia of newborns is diagnosed even within the walls of a medical institution and is further controlled by health workers. If the disease made itself felt, when the baby was already at home, the parents simply will not be able to overlook the problem! The child becomes capricious, the temperature of his body increases significantly, accompanied by a strong cough. Trying to cope with the disease is not categorically recommended, because in most cases this leads only to a deterioration in the condition of the baby.

Among the most common ways of infection can be identified:

  1. Transplacental. In this case, the unborn child is infected by penetrating the pathogen through the mother's placenta. In order to avoid such an outcome, a woman should be extremely cautious, avoiding places of congestion, especially in the period of aggravation of epidemics of infectious diseases.
  2. Antenatal. Bacteria pathogens penetrate the baby's airways from the amniotic fluid and cause rapid infection. To treat an unborn baby is a rather complicated process, therefore, in the absence of pronounced indications, doctors are waiting for his birth.
  3. Intranatal. In this case, infection of infants occurs directly during the delivery process, especially if the child is given a cesarean section. The cause is not necessarily an infection in the mother's birth canal. It can also be invisibly present in the environment.
  4. Postnatal. This path suggests that the infection affects the already born baby, who is in the maternity ward, as well as at home. However, spending time on finding out who is at fault is not recommended for parents. Their main task is to find a qualified doctor who can prescribe a quality and effective treatment for the baby.

What dangerous and frightening for the parents would not be intrauterine pneumonia, it should not introduce parents into a state of stupor. The problem can and must be fought! However, this will take time.

How is pneumonia treated?

As soon as newborns are diagnosed with pneumonia, the doctor immediately places them in a medical facility where they will be provided with qualified care. Trying to challenge the decision of the doctor and convince him that at home will be carried out the best care, will be an unpardonable mistake! The fragile children's organism is in the stage of development and simply can not cope with a strong infection. He definitely should be helped, however, only on the condition that medication does not harm other body systems.

In this case, a key role in this issue is played by a properly prescribed course of antibiotics, which allows to normalize the temperature and to stop the progressive inflammation. Such a course is prescribed to babies without fail, regardless of the form of the disease and its severity. Simultaneously, the child will take a powerful vitamin therapy, which will support the body and give him the strength to fight the disease on his own.

As a rule, visible signs of pneumonia pass in a week, while full recovery takes several weeks. A small patient can be discharged home for further rehabilitation in about 10 days. However, this does not mean that at home in case of pneumonia in newborns, parents will need to give the baby only medicines!

Essential aid can be provided by methods of traditional medicine that are evaluated as an alternative way of treatment. One of them is well-known to many mustard plasters, which, in agreement with the pediatrician, can be placed and infants. However, in this matter, parents should be extremely careful, so that after their application on the delicate skin of the crumbs there are no burns left.

Help in the fight against pneumonia can and honey, whose healing properties are known to almost everyone. It should be mixed with birch buds and boiled for 10 minutes. To water the child with this mixture should be immediately before going to bed. A mixture of honey and birch buds is good because it does not cause allergies and can be used not only when the inflammation of the lungs is treated, but also for any other infectious disease. However, before using it, consultation with a pediatrician is an integral procedure!

Prevention of pneumonia in children

The development of intrauterine pneumonia in newborns does not depend on the baby in any way and entirely falls on the conscience of the parents. The future mother should be extremely accurate and once again do not provoke the development of diseases. In an impoverished day or during the progression of infections from contacts with a large number of people it is desirable to abstain! After all, it is often in them that the causes of infection lie. A truly important for a woman during pregnancy is exclusively the health of her child. All other desires can wait.

In the event that parents suffer from an infectious disease, they should minimize contact with the child and must wear gauze bandages on their faces!

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Such, at first glance, simple methods of protection make it possible to exclude the presence of such a child diseases, like intrauterine pneumonia, which is not categorically sick at such a tender age recommended!

The health of a newborn child should be given due attention, because at this age many surprises are possible. In the event that the symptoms of pneumonia are already felt, do not despair! After all, timely treatment to a doctor for sure will solve all the problems and give the baby a healthy and happy childhood.

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Pneumonia in a child - symptoms, treatment, causes


Inflammation of the lungs or pneumonia is one of the most common acute infectious and inflammatory diseases of a person. Moreover, the concept of pneumonia does not include various allergic and vascular lung diseases, bronchitis, and also pulmonary function disorders, caused by chemical or physical factors (injuries, chemical burns).

Especially often there are pneumonia in children, the symptoms and signs of which are reliably determined only on the basis of X-ray data and a general blood test. Pneumonia among all pulmonary pathologies in young children is almost 80%. Even with the introduction of progressive technologies in medicine - the discovery of antibiotics, improved methods of diagnosis and treatment - until now this disease is among the top ten most frequent causes of death. According to statistics in various regions of our country, the incidence of pneumonia in children is, %.

When and why can a child develop pneumonia?

Lungs in the human body perform several important functions. The main function of the lungs is the gas exchange between the alveoli and the capillaries, which envelop them. Simply put, oxygen from the air in the alveolus is transported to the blood, and from the blood carbon dioxide enters the alveolus. They also regulate body temperature, regulate blood coagulability, are one of the filters in the body, contribute to the purification, removal of toxins, disintegration products arising from various traumas, infectious inflammatory processes.

And when food poisoning, a burn, a fracture, surgical interventions occur, in case of any serious injury or disease, there is a general decrease in immunity, it is easy to cope with the filtration load toxins. That is why very often after a child has suffered or is suffering from injuries or poisonings, pneumonia occurs.

The most common pathogens are pathogens - pneumococci, streptococci and staphylococci, and recently cases of lung inflammation from such pathogens as pathogenic fungi, legionella (usually after staying at airports with artificial ventilation), mycoplasma, chlamydia, which are not often mixed, associated.

Pneumonia in a child, as an independent disease that occurs after a serious, strong, prolonged hypothermia, it is extremely rare, as parents try not to allow such situations. As a rule, in most children, pneumonia occurs not as a primary disease, but as a complication after an acute respiratory viral infection or influenza, less often other diseases. Why is this happening?

Many of us believe that acute viral respiratory diseases in the last decades have become more aggressive, dangerous their complications. Perhaps this is due to the fact that both viruses and infections have become more resistant to antibiotics and antiviral drugs, so they are so hard for children and cause complications.

One of the factors contributing to the increase in the incidence of pneumonia in children in recent years has been the overall poor health in the younger generation - how many children are born with congenital pathologies, malformations, lesions of the central nervous system. Especially severe pneumonia occurs in premature or newborn babies, when the disease develops against the background of intrauterine infection with insufficiently formed, not mature respiratory system.

In congenital pneumonia, the herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, mycoplasmas are not infrequently causative agents, and with infection during labor, chlamydia, group B streptococci, opportunistic fungi, E. coli, Klebsiella, anaerobic flora, when infected with hospital infections, pneumonia begins on day 6 or 2 weeks after birth.

Naturally, pneumonia often happens in cold weather, when the organism is subjected to seasonal adjustment from heat to cold and vice versa, there are overloads for immunity, at this time there is a lack of natural vitamins in foods, temperature changes, damp, frosty, windy weather contribute to children's hypothermia and their infection.

In addition, if a child suffers from any chronic diseases - tonsillitis, adenoids in children, sinusitis, dystrophy, rickets (see. rickets in infants), cardiovascular disease, any severe chronic pathologies, such as congenital lesions central nervous system, malformations, immunodeficiency states - significantly increase the risk of developing pneumonia, weighed down its course.

The severity of the disease depends on:

  • Extensibility of the process (focal, focal, draining, segmental, lobar, interstitial pneumonia).
  • The child's age, the younger the baby, the narrower the airways, the less intense gas exchange in the child's body and the heavier the course of pneumonia.
  • Places where and for what reason there was a pneumonia:
    - community-acquired: most often have an easier flow
    - hospital: more severe, because it is possible to infect bacteria resistant to antibiotics
    - Aspiration: when inhaled foreign objects, mixture or milk.
  • The most important role in this is played by the general health of the child, that is, his immunity.

Improper treatment of influenza and ARVI can lead to pneumonia in the child

When a child falls ill with an ordinary cold, SARS, influenza - the inflammatory process is localized only in the nasopharynx, trachea and larynx. With a weak immune response, and also if the causative agent is very active and aggressive, and the treatment in the child is carried out incorrectly, the process of reproduction of bacteria descends from the upper respiratory tract to the bronchi, then bronchitis. Further, the inflammation can affect the lung tissue, causing pneumonia.

What happens in the body of a child in a viral disease? Most adults and children in the nasopharynx always have different opportunistic microorganisms - streptococci, staphylococci, without causing harm to health, because local immunity holds them back growth.

However, any acute respiratory disease leads to their active reproduction and with the correct action of the parents during the illness of the child, immunity does not allow their intensive growth.

What should not be done during ARVI in the child, so as not to cause complications:

  • You can not use antitussives. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps the body to clear the trachea, bronchi and lungs from mucus, bacteria, toxins. If for the treatment of a child, in order to reduce the intensity of dry cough, use antitussives that affect the cough center in the brain, such as Stoptosin, Broncholitin, Libexin, Paxeladin, then sputum and bacteria may accumulate in the lower respiratory tract, which ultimately leads to inflammation lungs.
  • It is not possible to conduct any preventive therapy with antibiotics for colds, with a viral infection (see. antibiotics for colds). Against the virus, antibiotics are powerless, and with opportunistic bacteria immunity should cope, and only when complications arise according to the doctor's appointment is shown their use.
  • The same applies to the use of various nasal vasoconstrictors, their use contributes to a faster penetration of the virus into the lower respiratory tract; therefore, galazoline, naphthysine, sanorin should not be used in case of a viral infection safely.
  • Abundant drink - one of the most effective methods of removing intoxication, dilution of sputum and rapid cleansing respiratory tract is an abundant drink, even if the child refuses to drink, parents should be very persistent. If you do not insist that the child drink enough fluids, in addition, the room will have dry air - this will help to dry the mucosa, which can lead to a longer course of the disease or complication - bronchitis or pneumonia.
  • Permanent ventilation, lack of carpets and carpeting, daily wet cleaning of the room in which the child is, Humidification and air purification with the help of a humidifier and an air cleaner will help to cope faster with the virus and prevent development pneumonia. Since the clean, cool, moist air contributes to liquefaction of sputum, rapid elimination of toxins through sweat, cough, moist breath that makes it easier to recover the child.

Acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis - differences from pneumonia

With SARS usually the following symptoms:

  • High temperature in the first 2-3 days of the disease (see Fig. antipyretics for children)
  • Headache, chills, intoxication, weakness
  • Qatar upper respiratory tract, runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat (it does not always happen).

In acute bronchitis with Orvy, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Minor increase in body temperature, usually up to 38C.
  • First the cough is dry, then it becomes wet, there is no shortness of breath, unlike pneumonia.
  • Breathing becomes hard, on different sides there are variously scattered rales that change or disappear after coughing.
  • On the roentgenogram, the intensification of the pulmonary pattern is determined, the structure of the roots of the lungs decreases.
  • There are no local changes in the lungs.

Bronchiolitis occurs most often in children up to a year:

  • The difference between bronchiolitis and pneumonia can be determined only by X-ray examination, based on the absence of local changes in the lungs. According to the clinical picture, the acute symptoms of intoxication and the increase in respiratory insufficiency, the appearance of dyspnoea - very much resemble pneumonia.
  • In bronchiolitis, the breathing in a child is weakened, shortness of breath with the help of an auxiliary musculature, nasolabial the triangle becomes a bluish hue, a common cyanosis is possible, a pronounced pulmonary-cardiac failure. When listening to a boxed sound is detected, the mass of scattered small bubbling rales.

Signs of pneumonia in the child

With a high activity of the causative agent of the infection, or with a weak immune response of the body to it, when even the most effective preventive medical measures do not stop inflammatory process and the child's condition worsens, parents can for some symptoms guess that the child needs more serious treatment and urgent examination doctor. In this case, in no case should not begin treatment by any popular method. If it really is pneumonia, it will not only not help, but the condition may worsen and time for adequate examination and treatment will be missed.

Symptoms of pneumonia in a child 2 - 3 years and older

How to identify attentive parents with a cold or viral illness that it is necessary to urgently call a doctor and suspect a pneumonia in the child? Symptoms that require an X-ray diagnosis:

  • After Orvi, influenza within 3-5 days there is no improvement or after a slight improvement again there is a temperature jump and increased intoxication, coughing.
  • Lack of appetite, sluggishness of the child, sleep disturbance, capriciousness persist within a week after the onset of the illness.
  • The main symptom of the disease remains a strong cough.
  • The body temperature is not high, but the baby has shortness of breath. In this case, the number of breaths per minute in a child increases, the rate of breaths per minute in children aged 1-3 years 25-30 breaths, children 4-6 years - a rate of 25 breaths per minute, if the child is in a relaxed calm condition. With pneumonia, the number of breaths becomes larger than these figures.
  • With the other symptoms of a viral infection - cough, temperature, cold, severe pallor of the skin is observed.
  • If the temperature is high for more than 4 days and antipyretic agents such as Paracetamol, Efferalgan, Panadol, Tylenol are not effective.

Symptoms of pneumonia in infants, children under one year of age

The onset of the disease can be noticed by the mom by changing the behavior of the baby. If the child constantly wants to sleep, become sluggish, apathetic or vice versa, a lot of naughty, crying, refuses to eat, while the temperature may slightly increase - mom should urgently turn to pediatrician.

Body temperature

In the first year of life, pneumonia in a child, a symptom which is considered to be high, not knocked down temperature, is different in that at this age it is not high, does not reach 3, or even 3, -3,. The temperature is not an indication of the severity of the state.

The first symptoms of pneumonia in an infant

This causeless anxiety, lethargy, decreased appetite, the baby refuses from the breast, the sleep becomes restless, short, there is a loose stool, there may be vomiting or regurgitation, a runny nose and a paroxysmal cough that worsens during crying or feeding child.

Child's breathing

Pain in the chest with breathing and coughing.
Sputum - with a damp cough, purulent or mucopurulent sputum (yellow or green) is secreted.
Shortness of breath or an increase in the number of respiratory movements in young children is a clear sign of pneumonia in a child. Dyspnoea in babies can be accompanied by nodding to the breath, as well as the baby blows his cheeks and extends his lips, sometimes there are foamy discharge from the mouth and nose. The symptom of pneumonia is considered to be the excess of the number of breaths per minute:

  • In children up to 2 months - the norm is up to 50 breaths per minute, more than 60 is considered a high frequency.
  • In children, after 2 months to a year, the norm is 25-40 breaths, if 50 or more, this is an excess of the norm.
  • In children older than one year, the number of breaths more than 40 is considered a shortness of breath.

The skin relief during breathing changes. Attentive parents can also notice the retraction of the skin during breathing, more often on one side of the patient's lung. To notice this, it is necessary to undress the baby and observe the skin between the ribs, it retracts when breathing.

With extensive lesions, there may be a lag of one side of the lung with deep breathing. Sometimes you can notice periodic stopping of breathing, disturbance of rhythm, depth, breathing frequency and the child's desire to lie on one side.

Cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle

This is the most important symptom of pneumonia, when the blue skin appears between the lips and the spout of the baby. Especially this sign is pronounced when the child sucks the breast. With severe respiratory failure, a slight blueing can be not only on the face, but also on the body.

Chlamydia, mycoplasmal pneumonia in children

Among the pneumonias, the causative agents of which are not banal bacteria, but various atypical representatives secrete mycoplasmal and chlamydial pneumonia. In children, the symptoms of such pneumonia are slightly different from the course of the usual pneumonia. Sometimes they are characterized by a hidden sluggish current. Symptoms of SARS in a child can be as follows:

  • The onset of the disease is characterized by a sharp rise in body temperature to 3, C, then a stable subfebrile temperature of -3, -3 is formed, or even a temperature normalization occurs.
  • It is also possible the onset of the disease with the usual signs of ARVI - sneezing, choking in the throat, a bad cold.
  • Persistent dry debilitating cough, shortness of breath may not be permanent. Such a cough usually occurs with acute bronchitis, and not pneumonia, which complicates the diagnosis.
  • When listening to a doctor, scanty data are usually presented: rare variegated rattles, pulmonary percussion sound. Therefore, according to the nature of wheezing, it is difficult for a doctor to determine atypical pneumonia, since there are no traditional signs, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
  • In the analysis of blood in atypical pneumonia there may be no significant changes. But usually there is increased ESR, neutrophilic leukocytosis, a combination with anemia, leukopenia, eosinophilia.
  • On the x-ray of the chest reveals a pronounced enhancement of the pulmonary pattern, non-uniform focal infiltration of the pulmonary fields.
  • Both chlamydia and mycoplasma have a feature that exists for a long time in the epithelial cells of the bronchi and lungs, therefore, pneumonia usually has a prolonged recurrent character.
  • Treatment of atypical pneumonia in the child is carried out by macrolides (azithromycin, josamycin, clarithromycin), because the pathogens to them are most sensitive (to tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, too, but they are children contraindicated).

Indications for hospitalization

The decision on where to treat a child with pneumonia - in a hospital or at home, the doctor takes, while he takes into account several factors:

  • The severity of the condition and the presence of complications - respiratory failure, pleurisy, acute disorders of consciousness, heart failure, falls AD, lung abscess, pleural empyema, infectious-toxic shock, sepsis.
  • The defeat of several lobes of the lung. Treatment of focal pneumonia in the child at home is entirely possible, but with croupous pneumonia treatment is best done in a hospital.
  • Social indications are poor living conditions, inability to perform care and doctor's prescriptions.
  • Age of the child - if the infant is sick, this is the reason for hospitalization, because the pneumonia of the baby is a serious threat to life. If pneumonia develops in a child under 3 years of age, treatment depends on the severity of the condition and most often doctors insist on hospitalization. Older children can be treated at home provided that the pneumonia is not severe.
  • General health - in the presence of chronic diseases, weakened overall health of the child, regardless of age, the doctor may insist on hospitalization.

Treatment of pneumonia in children

How to treat pneumonia in children? The basis of therapy for pneumonia is antibiotics. At a time when there were no antibiotics in the arsenal of doctors with bronchitis and pneumonia, a very frequent cause of death of adults and children there was pneumonia, therefore, in no case should one refuse to use them, no folk remedies for pneumonia are effective. From the parents it is required to strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations, the proper care of the child, the observance of the drinking regime, nutrition:

  • Reception of antibiotics must be carried out strictly in time, if the appointment of the drug 2 times per day, this means that there should be a break of 12 hours between meals, if 3 times a day, then a break of 8 hours (cm. 11 rules how to take antibiotics correctly). Antibiotics are prescribed - penicillins, cephalosporins for 7 days, macrolides (azithromycin, josamycin, clarithromycin) - 5 days. The effectiveness of the drug is estimated within 72 hours - an improvement in appetite, a decrease in temperature, dyspnea.
  • Antipyretics are used if the temperature is above 39C, in infants above 38C. Initially, antibiotic treatment of antipyretics is not prescribed, as the evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy is difficult. It should be remembered that during a high temperature in the body, the maximum amount antibodies against the causative agent of the disease, so if the child can tolerate the temperature of 38C, it is better not to knock down. So the body quickly cope with the microbe that caused pneumonia in the baby. If the child had at least one episode of febrile seizures, the temperature should be knocked down already at 3, C.
  • Nutrition of the child with pneumonia - lack of appetite in children during illness is considered natural and the child's refusal from food intake due to increased strain on the liver when fighting infection, so you can not force a child to feed. If possible, prepare light food for the patient, exclude any ready-made chemicals, fried and fatty, try to feed child simple, easily assimilated food - cereals, soups on a weak broth, steam cutlets from low-fat meat, boiled potatoes, various vegetables, fruit.
  • Oral hydration - in water, natural freshly diluted juices - carrot, apple, weakly boiled tea with raspberries, rose hips infusion, water-electrolyte solutions (Regidron and etc).
  • Airing, daily wet cleaning, use of air humidifiers - ease the condition of the baby, and the love and care of parents works wonders.
  • No restorative (synthetic vitamins), antihistamines, immunomodulating agents are not used, as often lead to side effects and do not improve the course and outcome of pneumonia.

Reception of antibiotics for pneumonia in a child (uncomplicated) usually does not exceed 7 days (macrolides 5 days), and if bed rest is observed, perform all the doctor's recommendations, in the absence of complications, the child quickly recovers, but for a month there will still be residual effects in the form of a cough, slight weakness. With atypical pneumonia, treatment can be delayed.

In the treatment of antibiotics in the body, the intestinal microflora is broken, so the doctor prescribes probiotics - RioFlora Immuno, Acipol, Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin, Normobakt, Lactobacterin. Analogues of Linex - a list of all probiotics). To remove toxins after the end of therapy, the doctor can prescribe sorbents, such as Polysorb, Enterosgel, Filtrum.

With the effectiveness of treatment for general regimen and walks, it is possible to transfer the child from the 6th to the 10th day of the disease, the hardening to resume after 2-3 weeks. With a mild pneumonia, large physical exertion (sport) is allowed after 6 weeks, with complicated after 12 weeks.

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Signs of pneumonia in adults without fever. Symptoms of pneumonia without fever

Pneumonia is a serious infectious disease. Under normal conditions, it can have a fairly pronounced clinical course, but certain factors can strongly lubricate the main manifestations of the disease.

Pneumonia in adults: symptoms, signs, causes in normal conditions

This disease occurs due to the development of microflora in the lung tissue and its gradual destruction. The beginning of such a pathological process is capable of getting into the body of a wide variety of infections.

Another factor contributing to the development of pneumonia, is a local or general decrease in immunity.

Among the main symptoms of this disease, it is necessary to note primarily a rise in temperature body, a strong cough, the occurrence of dyspnea with the least physical exertion, poor general state of health.

Pneumonia in adults: symptoms, causes, types in unusual conditions

There are two main reasons why the clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process in the lungs will differ from the classics. Among them it is necessary to note the following:

  • decreased immunity;
  • uncontrolled use of antibacterial agents.

Both of these causes can significantly change the clinical picture of pneumonia.

Incorrect use of antibiotics

To date, the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials has become a real problem for society. The fact is that this circumstance gradually leads to the formation of resistance to an antibacterial agent in infection. As a result, the antimicrobial drug simply ceases to have a sufficient effect on pathogenic bacteria.

In addition, the independent reception of such drugs can significantly reduce the severity of the main clinical manifestations of the disease. For example, pneumonia occurs in children and adults. Without a temperature reaching high enough values, few will immediately become worried and make a decision to consult a doctor. As a result, the disease will proceed in a latent form, and the patient will not receive rational treatment. This will lead to the gradual involvement in the pathological process of new and new areas of lung tissue. As a result, the patient will have other, more health-threatening clinical manifestations. The main signs of pneumonia in adults without temperature are the increase in dyspnea, the appearance of blood veins in escaping coughing sputum, as well as pain in the chest, arising from involvement in the pathological process pleura.

Now doctors are trying to limit the independent reception of antibacterial drugs by patients. One of the main ways was the issuance of such drugs only by prescription.

On the decrease of immunity

The clinical picture of inflammation of the lungs can vary greatly not only under the influence of antibacterial agents, but also in the conditions of reducing the protective properties of the body. As a result, typical first signs of pneumonia in adults may not be present. As a result, the patient does not immediately notice a serious problem. Signs of pneumonia in adults without a temperature in such conditions are expressed in the appearance of a painful blush on the side of the lesion of the lung tissue. Especially high diagnostic value this symptom has in the case of isolated lesions of one lung.

The increase in temperature in this case is not observed for the reason that the defenses of the body are depleted. At the same time, hyperthermia is the most important factor of defense. The fact is that in conditions of elevated temperature, pathogenic bacteria are much more difficult to grow and multiply. As a result, they are gradually destroyed by white blood cells.

Additional signs

Symptoms of pneumonia without temperature in adults are quite diverse. First of all, we are talking about the appearance of a painful blush. This symptom is especially well distinguished if the patient has unilateral pneumonia without temperature. Signs of bilateral pneumonia are noticeable worse, as the blush will be located on both cheeks.

In addition, a patient with pneumonia, which is not treated rationally, has a pale complexion. When breathing, there may be a lag in the excursion of the half of the chest in which the inflammatory process is taking place. Naturally, such signs of pneumonia in adults without a temperature are well detected only in cases with one-sided pathology. Thus the second cheek can be paler than usual.

There are a few other signs that pneumonia develops in children and adults. Without a temperature, people often do not pay attention to the soreness in the chest, which increases with every breath. This approach is dangerous in that you can skip a serious pathology. So that in the event of pain in the chest, increases during inhalation, it is better to see a specialist, so he ruled the inflammatory process in the lung tissue.

When should shortness of breath make you think?

Symptoms of pneumonia without temperature in adults, as you can already see, are quite diverse. One of the manifestations of the disease is shortness of breath. Normally, it can occur in any person after certain physical exertion. In the event that dyspnea appears at rest, one of the reasons may be an inflammatory process that occurs in the lung tissue. In this case, despite the lack of motor activity, without rational antibacterial therapy, dyspnea gradually only increases.

However, this symptom does not always indicate that pneumonia develops without temperature. Signs of the same type can also occur in cardiac pathology, when the patient gradually develops stagnant phenomena. Identify the exact cause of dyspnea with this help radiography chest organs.

It must also be remembered that young patients should pay special attention to dyspnea at rest, since in the overwhelming majority of cases they have no expressed cardiac pathology.

What should I do first?

In the event that there are typical first signs of pneumonia in adults, you should immediately turn to a specialist - doctors, therapist or pulmonologist. They will conduct a general examination, including auscultation of the lungs. Based on the results of the primary diagnostic measures, the doctor will decide whether it is necessary to perform an X-ray examination of the chest organs. If the doctor suspects something and sends the patient to such a survey, then in no case should you refuse. After radiography, the doctor will be able to accurately establish the diagnosis and prescribe rational treatment.

What is the danger of pneumonia without temperature?

This disease, if it occurs without hyperthermia, is very insidious. The fact is that, in itself, even under the condition of timely rational treatment, pneumonia is very, very dangerous. If, with inflammation of the lung tissue, antibiotic therapy is not performed, then there is a real danger that the disease will lead to the most disastrous consequences. But not only this should frighten pneumonia without temperature. Such a disease is also dangerous because the patient, most likely, has weakened immunity, or he recently took certain antibacterial drugs. In both cases, one usually has to use one of the most modern antimicrobial agents. In a situation with reduced immunity, it is a matter of the fact that the body itself does not have the strength to resist infection. In the second situation, the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to one or another form of antibiotics has already been developed.

How to reduce the risk of pneumonia?

First of all, you must avoid serious hypothermia. The fact is that with a significant decrease in temperature in this or that area of ​​the human body, the level of local immunity decreases. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms have an excellent opportunity to multiply unhindered, hitting more and more sections of lung tissue.

In addition, it is very important to take antibacterial drugs strictly according to the recommendations of doctors. At the same time, it is necessary to stop using them when the signs of an infectious disease cease to make themselves felt, but only after the completion of a full course of treatment. Otherwise, a number of pathogens will persist. The next time the use of this same antibiotic will have a much more modest success, and will have to change the drug.

Another important point is the support of immunity. In order for it to be normal, it is necessary to maintain a normal level of physical activity, to eat properly and in sufficient quantities, to give the proper time to sleep and ordinary rest.

About laboratory research

They are carried out in the event that there are signs of pneumonia in adults. Without temperature or with hyperthermia, this disease occurs - laboratory tests are necessary. First of all, we are talking, of course, about a general analysis of blood. This study allows you to assess how pronounced the infectious process is in the lung tissue. In this case, doctors are most interested in the number of leukocytes, as well as the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation. The fact that the process has an infectious etiology will be said to increase the level of white blood cells (more than 9 * 109 / L). The fact that there is inflammation in the body will be indicated by an increased level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Often, the doctor does not assign a usual general blood test, but a study with a formula that allows the doctor to determine which type of microorganisms triggered the development of pathology. With an increased level of neutrophils, we can talk about bacterial pneumonia, and with an increase in the number of lymphocytes - about the viral etiology of this disease.

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Signs of bacterial pneumonia in an adult

  • Bacterial pneumonia
  • Viral pneumonia

The disease of pneumonia or pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms.

This inflammation causes fluid to flow into the infected part of the lungs, affecting one or both of the lungs.

Inflow of blood to the infected part of the lung (or lungs) decreases, which means that the oxygen level in the blood can decrease.

This decline is likely to occur in the elderly or malnourished people. During illness, the body tries to maintain blood flow to vital organs and reduce blood flow to other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of pneumonia in adults:

  1. Bacterial pneumonia: this type of pneumonia usually begins after a flu, cold, or upper respiratory tract infection. Decreased immunity allows bacteria to multiply in the lungs, causing disease. There are many different bacteria that can cause inflammation of the lung tissue. The most common pathogen is pneumococcus. Microorganisms can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes or touches objects with unwashed hands. Bacterial pneumonia can be a more serious disease than viral pneumonia.
  2. Viral pneumonia. A variety of different viruses can cause viral pneumonia. Among them: influenza, chicken pox and respiratory syncytial virus. Viruses can be transmitted between people through coughing, sneezing or touching something that has been in contact with the liquid of the infected person.
  3. Fungal pneumonia. It is most often caused by fungi from the environment.
  4. Pneumonia of mycoplasma. Mycoplasma organisms invisible to the eye easily spread, especially in places of large concentrations of people (such as offices or schools). This type of pneumonia, as a rule, quickly passes.
  5. Pneumocystis pneumonia. Caused by a yeast-like fungus, which is usually found in the lungs, without creating problems for the "master but can grow and lead to pneumonia in people whose immune system is weak (eg, due to AIDS, organ transplant, cancer, or chemotherapy).
  6. Aspiration pneumonia. Occurs when the contents of the oral cavity and the nasopharynx are inhaled into the respiratory tract.
  7. Legionnaires' disease. It is caused by a bacterium legionella, which lives in water. Disease Legionnaires can spread through contaminated plumbing, shower or air conditioning.

Signs of pneumonia in an adult with bacterial pneumonia

Doctors often divide bacterial pneumonia into a typical and atypical, based on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

A typical pneumonia occurs very quickly.

  • Typical pneumonia usually leads to severe fever and chills.
  • At the patient at cough sputum of yellow or brown color is allocated.
  • There can be a pain in the chest, which, as a rule, increases with deep breathing or coughing. The chest can hurt when it is touched or pressed. Chest pain can be a sign of other serious illnesses, so do not try to diagnose inflammation of your lungs yourself.
  • A typical pneumonia can cause dyspnea, especially if a person has any chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema.
  • Elderly people may suffer from confusion or mental impairment during pneumonia or other infections.

Atypical pneumonia begins gradually.

  • Sometimes another illness begins several days or weeks before pneumonia.
  • Fever is usually weak, and chills are less likely than in the case of typical pneumonia.
  • The patient can complain to the doctor about a headache, body aches, and joint pain.
  • Cough can be dry or with it a small amount of sputum is released.v
  • Chest pain is often absent.
  • There may be abdominal pain.
  • There is a feeling of fatigue or weakness.

Bacterial pneumonia, like the virus, is contagious.

When to seek medical help?

  • If the patient has a fever and cough with yellow, green or brown sputum, he should visit a doctor.

When to call an ambulance for pneumonia?

  • If the patient has shortness of breath. This sign of lung inflammation in an adult as a breathlessness is not just a feeling that a person can not take a full breath. Shortness of breath means that the patient can not dial into the lungs enough air to meet the needs of the body. This is a potentially serious symptom and he always requires a visit to the emergency room.
  • If the temperature rises above 39 ° C or falls below 35 ° C.
  • If the pulse is equal to or greater than 125 beats per minute at rest.
  • If the respiratory rate is more than 30 breaths per minute at rest.
  • If a systolic blood pressure drop below 90 mm Hg occurred, resulting in dizziness, blockage, or fainting.
  • If there is pain in the chest or confusion.

Risk factors for the development of pneumonia:

  • a chronic health problem, such as diabetes;
  • smoking;
  • alcoholism or drug addiction;
  • cardiac ischemia;
  • a weak immune system, for example, due to the use of steroids or the use of drugs to suppress immunity (people with transplanted organs take such drugs);
  • sick or damaged lungs due to asthma or emphysema;
  • very young or very old age (over 65 years);
  • life in a nursing home;
  • problems with vomiting reflex (frequent suffocation or difficulty swallowing);
  • a surgery to remove the spleen.

Complications that may occur from pneumonia include:

  • Bacteremia: the infection penetrates into the bloodstream and can spread to various organs.
  • Pleurisy and empyema: with pleurisy occurs an inflammation of the membrane, which covers the lungs (pleura). The empyema occurs when the fluid in the lungs that causes inflammation becomes infected.
  • Lung abscess: cavities (or one cavity) filled with pus may appear in the infected area of ​​the lungs.
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome: when the lungs are severely damaged due to pneumonia, respiratory arrest may occur.

The first signs of viral pneumonia in adults: how to recognize viral inflammation

Viral pneumonia usually occurs in young children and the elderly. This is because the body of a young or elderly person is harder to fight the virus than an adult human body with a strong immune system.

In healthy adults, pneumonia usually proceeds easily. In contrast, elderly people and those with weakened immunity often develop severe viral pneumonia. Patients aged 65 years and over are at risk of dying from viral pneumonia, as well as from influenza not complicated by pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia is most often caused by one of several viruses:
  • Adenovirus.
  • Flu.
  • Paragrippus. Parainfluenza virus is the second most important cause of lower respiratory tract disease in children and pneumonia and bronchitis in children under 6 months of age.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus. This is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection in infants and children, and the second most common viral cause of pneumonia in adults. The first is influenza viruses.

Swine influenza (H1N1) was associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in 2009. The first reports came from Mexico, where there was a very high mortality from this disease. Many cases were also recorded in the US Nevertheless, early detection and treatment helped to significantly reduce the death rate from viral pneumonia.

Serious viral pneumonia is most likely to occur in:

  • Premature babies.
  • Children with heart and lung diseases.
  • People infected with HIV.
  • People undergoing cancer chemotherapy, or taking drugs that weaken the immune system.
  • People who underwent organ transplantation.

The first signs of pneumonia in adults with viral infection

Symptoms and signs of viral pneumonia often develop slowly and at first seem harmless, whereas when Bacterial pneumonia develops very quickly and patients seek medical attention within a few days.

The most common signs are:

  • Subfebrile temperature (less than 38.8 ° C).
  • Cough with a little mucus.
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle pain.
  • Headache.
  • Blue nails (due to lack of oxygen in the blood).
  • Nausea and vomiting.

During a physical examination, the following signs of pneumonia can be observed in a patient:

  • Tachypnea (rapid breathing).
  • Tachycardia or bradycardia.
  • The wheezing in the lungs.
  • Dyspnea.
  • Breast or intercostal retraction (internal muscle movements between the ribs).
  • Decreased breathing sounds.
  • Pleurisy.
  • Cyanosis (blue skin).
  • Rashes on the skin.
  • Acute respiratory distress (a dangerous violation of pulmonary function, respiratory failure).

When to seek medical help?

You should see your doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:

  • Persistent cough.
  • Dyspnoea in motion, or at rest.
  • Severe chest pain.
  • Severe weakness.
  • Coughing with blood.
  • Vomiting is so strong or frequent that dehydration has occurred.
  • Impossibility to eat and drink fluids.

How to recognize pneumonia in adults

Physical examination is necessary for the diagnosis of pneumonia. It can also help to determine how serious the disease is, and what can be its cause.

The doctor will listen to the heart, lungs and chest of the patient through a stethoscope.

It will also consider vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate.

Information collected during a physical examination can help a doctor determine if pneumonia is mild or severe.

  • A chest X-ray may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of "pneumonia". Many people with mild pneumonia symptoms are prescribed effective treatment without radiography. Nevertheless, patients with moderate and severe pneumonia often receive a chest x-ray to determine the extent of the disease and identify complications of the disease, such as pus in the lungs.
  • Laboratory tests are sometimes required to diagnose pneumonia. Laboratory tests can help a doctor find out what caused pneumonia and how the patient's body tolerates the disease.
  • The most common laboratory tests include: measuring the number and type of white blood cells in the blood, and using a sputum sample to help identify possible pathogens of the infection. People with difficulty breathing can undergo pulse oximetry (a test that allows you to assess the oxygen saturation and heart rate).

The patient should inform the doctor about any illnesses that he has, including abnormal vomiting reflex, alcohol or intravenous drug use, smoking and recent hospital. You also need to tell the doctor about a recent episode of a viral infection or flu-like symptoms.

What should I do with the first signs of pneumonia in adults?

  • Do not smoke and do not allow others to smoke near the patient. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can lead to lung damage. Talk with your doctor before using electronic cigarettes and other drugs to help stop smoking.
  • Have more rest.
  • Use a household air humidifier. The patient is able to clear more sputum, if breathing with moist air.
  • Drink fluids to help prevent dehydration when vomiting. In addition, the liquid helps to thinning the mucus, so it leaves the body more easily.
  • Deep breathing and coughing. Deep breathing helps open the airways to the lungs. Cough helps to "drive out" mucus from the lungs. You need to take a deep breath and hold your breath for as long as you can. Then exhale the air and cough hard. Do 10 deep breaths in a row every hour from the moment you wake up.
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