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Looks like pneumonia. Pneumonia: symptoms and treatment of pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults occur when the immune defense is weakened or when infected with highly toxic pathogens (pneumococcus, streptococcus, mycoplasma, chlamydia). Usually, infiltrative changes in the lung tissue against the background of catarrhal infections appear in the autumn-winter or spring-summer period.

The provoking factors of the disease are hypothermia of the upper respiratory tract, chronic diseases lungs, frequent stress and nervous experiences.

With a cold (ARVI), the bronchial epithelium is affected by viruses during their reproduction (reproduction). If the protective factors of immunity cannot cope with infectious agents, the pathogens progress rapidly.

Treatment of such viral infections does not require the use of antibiotics. Why do doctors prescribe them? If the clinic of the disease is provoked not only by viruses, but also by the addition of bacteria, antibacterial drugs destroy the last representatives of the microbial world.

Pneumonia in adults begins after the pathogen enters the alveoli and damages the bronchial epithelium. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick or carrier to a healthy person. The incubation period, depending on the pathogen, lasts 2-3 days. Then the inflammatory process enters the active phase and is accompanied by the accumulation of infiltrative fluid in the lumen of the alveoli.

Against the background of hypothermia, nervous experiences and hormonal changes in the body (menopause in women), the local protection of the respiratory tract is weakened. This creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of the pathogen. In older people, pneumonia is complicated by the presence of atypical flora: mycoplasmas, legionella, chlamydia inside the cells.

Depending on the type of pathogen, signs of pneumonia are formed in adults. They may be acute or appear occasionally. Sometimes it is difficult to suspect pneumonia, but the symptoms of the disease must be detected in the early stages in order to undertake conservative treatment. A running process can lead to death.

The first signs of pneumonia in adults:

Runny nose and cough for several days;
Temperature rise;
Fever, which is not eliminated by antipyretic drugs;
Shortness of breath with a large amount of damage to the lung tissue;
Feeling short of breath;
Weakness and fatigue.

Fear and a feeling of lack of air greatly disturbs a person. At the doctor's appointment, fine bubbling rales are heard in the initial stages of the disease. If you call a doctor at home, he may not detect signs of inflammatory changes in the lungs in the initial stages. The patient in the initial period of the disease feels a periodic increase in temperature and he develops a rare cough. These symptoms should be known to the doctor in order to timely establish the diagnosis of this dangerous pathology.

Diagnosis of the disease initial stage based on clinical and instrumental analyzes and the results of radiography of organs chest. It is sufficient to identify pathological findings with at least one method to suggest pathological changes in the lung parenchyma. At this stage, it is better to prescribe antibiotics to prevent respiratory failure.

Attention! At small sizes pathological changes in the lungs, the doctor may not hear wheezing or hard breathing. They will appear in a few days, when the infiltrative focus increases in size. Then it may be too late, since the size of the infiltrate will become quite large. In this case, the radiologist, based on the image, will make a conclusion of focal, segmental or total pneumonia.

Pneumonia in adults with influenza has specific features:

The virus infects the vessels of the alveolo-capillary barrier. This disrupts the function of gas exchange in the lung tissue and leads to the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. If a person has frequent catarrhal infections (more than 3 times a year), the lung tissue becomes overgrown with scars due to fibrotic changes;
Pneumonia in adults against the background of influenza is formed somewhat later than the specific symptoms of the disease develop: fever, headache, fatigue, sneezing and runny nose. If against this background a cough appears with a runny nose, sputum and streaks of blood, doctors expect the rapid development of inflammatory changes in the lungs. Such symptoms indicate that pneumonia will occur with a high degree of certainty, since the appearance of blood in the sputum indicates damage to the bronchial or alveolar epithelium;
Legionnaires' disease, caused by Legionella, begins gradually, so its symptoms are hidden for some time. There is no runny nose and cough, and a person explains the rise in temperature by other reasons, but not by inflammation of the lung tissue;
Mycoplasmas in the alveoli lead to fever, runny nose, burning sensation in the throat. Adults with mycoplasma pneumonia have chest pain and red sputum.

The doctor should know the specific signs of various forms of the disease in order to timely determine the pathology and prescribe etiological treatment.

Morphological symptoms of bilateral inflammation

Bilateral pneumonia in adults is accompanied by damage to the lobe or segment of the lung tissue of both lungs. The process is characterized by a cycle of development of morphological changes that occur in 3 stages:

Gray hepatization;
Red hepatization;
Permission.

Recognizing the stage of red hepatization is very important, as it is followed by respiratory failure. If you apply adequate antibiotic therapy in this interval of the pathological process, you can prevent serious complications of pulmonary pathology.

How the disease progresses

Red hepatization (tide stage) is accompanied by severe bleeding from the capillaries of the alveolar tissue, spastic contraction of the vessels. The duration of this form of the disease is on average from 12 hours to 3 days. During this period, an increase in temperature, a weak cough and rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages) is formed. Identification of these signs can prevent formidable complications and even death.

Croupous inflammation of the lungs in adults begins with red hepatization, which is characterized by bilateral multifocal lesions of the lung tissue. It is caused by pneumococcal infection.

Gray hepatization (diapedesis of erythrocytes) is accompanied by the appearance of infiltrative contents in the lumen of the alveoli against the background of fibrinous inflammation (coarse cicatricial fibers) of the lung tissue. On the section of the lung in patients who died from lobar pneumonia, there is coarse granularity in all lung fields. The duration of the stage is from 2 to 6 days.

Resolution is explained by the influence of proteolytic enzymes and immune factors on the affected area of lung tissue. Together with antibacterial drugs, they provide complete resorption of infiltration (with a favorable outcome) or the formation of scar tissue at the site of the inflammatory focus.

If this process is disturbed, deposition of fibrous fibers may occur in the affected area, which will lead to carnification of the pathology. Over time, fibrosis of the lung tissue and its cirrhotic changes appear.

Purulent fusion connective tissue in the inflammatory focus can lead to the formation of abscesses or gangrene of the lung. With croupous pneumonia, dry pleurisy appears, which is accompanied by fibrous layers (pleuropneumonia).

When pneumonia begins, the first signs of the disease can quickly turn into complications. Bilateral lung damage loses its cycle and breaks off in the early stages of the development of the disease. In this case, abscesses (purulent limited foci) appear within a short time, which are not treated with antibacterial drugs.

With a favorable course of carnification, adhesions and fibrous overlays on the pleural sheets (dry fibrinous pleurisy) are observed.

In such a situation, the diagnosis of complications is possible on the basis of radiography. The exudate in the pleural cavity can be clearly seen on x-rays when the patient's position changes.

The first clinical symptoms of croupous inflammation in adults:

Temperature 39-40 degrees;
Pain in the chest;
The appearance of "rusty" sputum;
Increased respiration.

In a person with bilateral inflammation of the lung tissue, a blush and cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle appear on the face. If these signs appear, this indicates tissue hypoxia.

Cough on initial stage dry disease. Herpetic eruptions may appear.

When breathing, one half of the lung lags behind the other.

If inflammation of the lungs is manifested by infiltrates in the lower lung fields, a tympanic sound is felt on percussion (with a finger examination) over the area of the pathological focus.

Bilateral inflammatory changes in the lung tissue are characterized by specific symptoms:

Bronchophony;
Voice trembling;
Bronchial breathing.

Bronchophony is felt auscultatively (when listening with a phonendoscope) by a specific sound resembling the buzzing of a bee.

Bronchial breathing - listened to with a phonendoscope and is characterized by the appearance of a specific dry sound when air passes through a section of the bronchus narrowed by the inflammatory process.

Pneumonia in adults is milder than in children, so the above diagnostic signs are rarely seen.

The incubation period of the disease is also not characterized by pronounced clinical symptoms. With it, infiltrative changes on the radiograph may not be observed. Therefore, bronchophony, bronchial breathing and voice trembling are not markers of early diagnosis.

Diagnosis of pneumonia is based on external examination, laboratory and clinical-instrumental methods.

Methods for laboratory diagnosis of the disease:

Biochemical indicators: an increase in c-reactive protein, an increase in the functional parameters of the liver (AlAt, AsAt);
Leukocytosis and neutrophilia (an increase in the number of leukocytes and neutrophils) in clinical analysis blood;
Detection of bacteria in Gram-stained smears and inoculation of the pathogen culture on a nutrient medium;
Microbiological examination of samples on culture media;
Serological diagnosis of chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, legionellosis using ELISA methods;
Detection of carbon dioxide in arterial blood;
Bronchoscopic methods (brush biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage) can identify patients with immune deficiency. They are used to diagnose atypical bacteria.

X-ray diagnosis of bronchopulmonary pathology:

X-ray of the chest organs in the lateral and direct projections;
Computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
Ultrasound examination of the pleural cavity - with suspicion of exudative pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura with accumulation of fluid).

Medical Criteria

To recognize pneumonia, several criteria should be identified:

cough with phlegm;
Acute fever (temperature over 38 degrees);
Leukocytosis;
Focal pulmonary process.

The inaccessibility or absence of radiological data on the presence of infiltration in the lung tissue does not indicate the absence of the disease. In such a situation, bronchopulmonary inflammation can be determined on the basis of laboratory methods with an increase in leukocytes and neutrophils.

If an adult has incubation period reproduction of bacteria, which proceeds hidden, the use of medical criteria allows you to reliably identify it. At home, it is difficult to recognize the initial period of pathology, so the inflammatory process becomes active. Patients go to a medical facility if they develop a severe cough, high fever, or respiratory failure. This greatly complicates the possibility of a complete cure of pathology.

Content

Inflammation of the lungs is a very serious disease, which in medicine is officially called pneumonia. The disease ranks 4th in mortality after strokes, heart attacks and oncology. Most actual question today - what is pneumonia, is it possible to get infected from this disease and at what stage? To have an idea about the danger of the disease, you need to know about the causes of the pathological process and the nuances of its development.

Pneumonia - what is it

The main essence of the disease is that the lung tissue undergoes pathological changes. Respiratory function suffers from inflammatory processes and, as a result, all organs and tissues, as they receive less oxygen. Inflammation of the lungs is an infectious disease during which viruses and microbes attack the alveoli - the smallest particles of the respiratory apparatus. Pneumonia can affect a small area of lung tissue or spread to the entire lung. The disease develops in a week, and full recovery can take several months.

pathogens

Inflammation of the lungs proceeds, depending on the pathogen that caused it. More often (up to 50%) pathology causes pneumococcus. This group includes more than 100 types of bacteria. The most common are mycoplasma (mycoplasmal pneumonia), legionella, chlamydia. In second place in frequency, the lung tissue is affected by Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and other microbes. An epidemic outbreak is caused by aggressive pathogens that spread through the air. Epidemics of pneumococcal pneumonia occur in crowded places.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Before finding out whether pneumonia is contagious, you should understand what caused the disease. If bacterial inflammation of the lungs arose in a person against the background of an already existing pathology, then this is unlikely to cause an infection in a partner who was in contact with the patient. However, if atypical microorganisms (chlamydia, mycoplasma, and others) have become pathogens, they are often transmitted by airborne droplets. If another person has lowered immunity, then the risk of infection is very high. For this reason, it is better to keep contact with the patient to a minimum.

Symptoms

What is pneumonia, it is not always possible to immediately understand, because the clinical symptoms of the disease are very diverse, and the manifestation of the pathology depends on numerous factors. The initial complaints of the patient are similar to those of many bacterial infections: weakness, fever, malaise, excessive sweating, heat body. Then there is a cough with discharge of purulent sputum, pain in the chest cavity, respiratory failure. When the pathogen enters the lung tissue through the bloodstream, the doctor additionally reveals the following clinical symptoms:

shortening of percussion sound;
pleural friction noise;
moist small bubbling rales;
crepitus;
weakened bronchial breathing;
weakening of voice trembling.

Causes of pneumonia

You can get pneumonia in many ways, because there are a lot of reasons why pneumonia happens. As already mentioned, the pneumococcus bacterium is in the first place. Often the causative agents are:

gram-positive microorganisms: streptococci, staphylococci;
Gram-negative microorganisms: Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacteria, Friedlander's bacillus, Legionella, Proteus, Escherichia coli;
mycoplasmas;
fungal infections;
viral infections(adenoviruses, parainfluenza, influenza, herpes).

The disease provokes not only the infectious agent of pneumonia. Often, pneumonia begins due to non-infectious factors: allergic agents, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, chest injuries. The risk group includes patients with:

chronic bronchitis;
congestive heart failure;
congenital malformations of the lungs;
chronic nasopharyngeal infections;
severe immunodeficiency states.

What is dangerous

What is pneumonia, already figured out. However, not all patients treat treatment with due attention, because they do not know why pneumonia is dangerous. Before the invention of antibiotics, the disease was fatal. The disease is still fatal in 5% of cases. Pneumonia is especially dangerous for children and elderly patients, since their immunity is weakened. Immediately after the defeat of the bronchi and lungs, a violation of oxygen metabolism occurs. Consequences for adult patients may be the following:

respiratory failure;
bronchial asthma;
heart failure;
fibrosis or lung abscess.

During pregnancy

Pneumonia of viral etiology is dangerous for both mother and child. The problem is that in the early stages, the symptoms of alveolar damage are similar to clinical manifestations colds, so women do not go to doctors, trying to be treated on their own. Such behavior only exacerbates the pathology. If aspiration pneumonia was detected on time, then the prognosis is favorable. If home treatment led to the addition of a secondary infection or to purulent complication, the risk of serious consequences is high. Inflammation of the lungs during pregnancy can lead to:

myocarditis, endocarditis;
infectious-toxic shock;
sepsis;
respiratory failure;
broncho-obstructive syndrome;
exudative pleurisy;
edema, abscess, gangrene of the lung.

In childhood

Among children, infants and schoolchildren are more likely to get pneumonia. With untimely treatment of pathology, the consequences for the child's body can be very different: pleurisy, destructive pneumonitis, cardiopulmonary failure. If the correct therapy is carried out, then there should be no consequences and complications, and the prognosis of the disease in most cases is positive.

Classification

Depending on the severity of the disease and characteristic symptoms There are several types of pneumonia:

Typical. The main cause is focal infectious inflammation.
atypical pathogen. It is the cause of a whole group of diseases, the symptoms of which vary in each case. With progressive development, lobar inflammation can be observed. On x-rays, this type of inflammation is not clear, therefore it is considered very insidious.
A stagnant look. It is characterized by the occurrence of stagnation in the bronchi. The accumulation of sputum causes the development of pathogenic microbes, which provokes first respiratory viral diseases, and then a chronic infection (chlamydial pneumonia).
Entry of alien masses. More often we are talking about small objects or food particles that cause damage to the mucous membrane.

stages

With the development of viral pneumonia, doctors distinguish several stages of the course of the disease:

Tidal stage. The duration is about 80 hours. It is characterized by a sharp flow of blood into the lungs with the release of exudate. There is swelling of the organ, which leads to its inflammation.
Red hepatization stage. Duration is no more than 70 hours. The lung tissues thicken, increase in volume, the concentration of red blood cells in the exudate increases.
The stage of gray hepatization. In the exudate, erythrocytes disappear, the content of leukocytes increases. This leads to the fact that the lung tissue becomes gray. The period can last one week.
Resolution stage. There is a resorption of fibrin, the breakdown of leukocytes, as a result, the lung acquires a healthy appearance. The duration of recovery is 10-12 days.

Diagnostics

For confirmation possible pathology lungs, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are used. The main method is X-ray in direct and lateral projection. For a clearer definition of the focus of inflammation (especially with segmental pneumonia), the following are additionally used:

CT scan;
electrocardiography;
fibrobronchoscopy;
lung biopsy (for interstitial pneumonia);
examination of the function of external respiration (if shortness of breath is observed).

Laboratory studies include a complete blood count, sputum examination and bacterioscopy. In a severe course of the disease with characteristic lung lesions, blood is taken from a vein to determine the pathogen. If the pathology is accompanied by flu-like symptoms, a blood test is taken for antibodies to viruses. In severe focal pneumonia, a complete study of blood gases is necessary for the timely start of artificial lung ventilation.

Auscultation

Diagnosis of lobar pneumonia includes auscultation. The doctor carefully listens to the lungs, paying special attention to the patient's breathing. Auscultatory symptoms:

Moist fine bubbling rales. Heard during inhalation top speed air flow. The symptom occurs when a viscous exudate is formed in the bronchi, consisting of bubbles, which, passing through the air stream, burst and make a characteristic sound.
Crepitus. Pathological process in the alveoli, which occurs when their walls are wetted with a viscous secret. This results in an audible crackle when inhaling. When the patient tries to cough, crepitus does not disappear, which distinguishes it from wheezing.

Treatment

Therapeutic actions are aimed at suppressing an acute bacterial infection, restoring pulmonary resistance, and eliminating protracted intoxication. The main treatment for pneumonia is the appointment antibacterial drugs. Do not prescribe antibiotics if the disease is caused by viruses. In this case, treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs. The presence of fungal pneumonia in a patient requires the use of antifungal medicines. To speed up the recovery of the patient, doctors additionally prescribe:

physiotherapy exercises;
massage;
physiological procedures.

Preparations

In the vast majority, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Among antibacterial agents penicillins can be isolated. Their mechanism of action is aimed at suppressing the biosynthesis of the cell membrane, which protects the cell from the surrounding space. This group of antibiotics includes:

Novocillin. Release form - vials for intramuscular injection. On average, 1 million units are prescribed 4 times / day.
Oxacillin. Available in 0.25 g, 0.5 g in vials, capsules and tablets. Apply every 4-5 hours. The average daily dose is 6 g.
Nafcillin. Assign intravenously or intramuscularly every 4-6 hours. Daily dose- from 6 to 12 years.

The course can range from 3 days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the disease. For nosocomial pneumonia in a hospital setting, a combined antibiotic treatment regimen is performed to eliminate the risk of an epidemic. With hospital pneumonia, especially with staphylococcal infection, the following antibacterial drugs are prescribed:

cephalosporins 3-4 generations;
carbapenems;
fluoroquinolones;
erythromycin;
aminoglycosides.

Folk remedies

There are tips for treating pathology folk methods. This is dangerous, especially against the background of a chronic disease, as it can be fatal, so all therapeutic measures should be discussed with a doctor. There is a herbal medicine that helps with dry cough and reduces the appearance of sputum. One of the most effective recipes- a collection of flowers of calendula, St. John's wort and chamomile. To prepare a decoction, mix 1 tsp. each component, pour 2 cups of boiling water, then insist for 2 hours. Take 3 times a day for 0, 3 cups until the condition improves.

Complications of pneumonia

Basically, all pulmonary complications are associated with inadequate treatment. The worst case scenario is a fatal outcome against the background of pleural effusion, when excess fluid seeps into space. There is a risk of infection passing to nearby tissues and organs, causing a pathological process in them. It can be the heart, brain, pulmonary arteries.

How not to get pneumonia from a patient

In order not to catch an infection, you should know what pneumonia is and how you can avoid infection. To reduce the risk of disease, you should follow a few rules that will increase the overall immunity of the body:

treat viral infections in time;
do not overcool;
get a flu shot every year;
to refuse from bad habits.

Prevention

The main advice that can be given in order to prevent pneumonia is to consult a doctor when the first symptoms of a cold appear. People who suffer from chronic broncho-pulmonary diseases, in order not to get infected, should be vaccinated with PNEUMO-23. In addition, basic recommendations include:

Discuss

Causes of pneumonia in children and adults - symptoms and treatment, complications and prevention

Inflammation of the lungs is often caused by infectious agents, including streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, chlamydia, and viruses. Focusing on typical symptoms, you can quickly identify the disease and treat it in the initial stages. The high efficiency of antibiotic therapy can reduce the mortality rate from this disease.

The wide prevalence, the rate of increase in symptoms, and vivid signs give rise to seeking medical help. There is lobar and focal pneumonia. It is necessary to be able to identify the symptoms of the disease in order to begin treatment in the early stages.

Pneumonia is usually easily diagnosed, as it is manifested by a complex of typical symptoms. Often, patients or others independently make a diagnosis even before they go to the hospital. The main diagnostic features include pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations.

Pulmonary symptoms:

Chronic shortness of breath.
Dry or wet cough.
Probable expectoration of sputum. Perhaps the discharge of both mucus and pus.
Pain that worsens with breathing.
Typical diagnostic features include wheezing, bronchial breathing, muffled percussion.

Extrapulmonary symptoms:

Temperature rise.
Chill associated with hyperhidrosis.
Myalgia.
Pain in the head.
Tachycardia.
Rash on the skin.
Conjunctivitis, other disorders in the structure of the mucosa.
Probable clouding of consciousness.
Negative gastrointestinal symptoms.
Toxic damage.

With inflammation of the lungs, a pronounced clinical picture is observed, which is why it is possible to carry out diagnostics before obtaining the results of a microbiological examination. Common causative agents of pneumonia are pneumococci, mycoplasmas and viruses. Elderly people with a weakened body can get pneumonia caused by the activity of Escherichia coli, enterobacteria. Usually in this case, pneumonia is complicated by pathological processes in the tissues, the development of an abscess.

Symptoms of croupous pneumonia

The main distinguishing features of the disease:

When conducting a diagnostic examination, weak activity of the affected lung may be detected compared to the healthy one. Usually this phenomenon is explained by pain syndrome during breathing. When percussion is carried out behind the affected area, a shortening of the percussion sound is observed. Wheezing is noticeable from the first days of the disease. There is tachycardia, possibly a decrease in blood pressure. These symptoms are often manifested in conjunction with pain in the abdomen from inflammation.

On a note! On the inflamed lung, destruction of erythrocytes is observed, there is a possibility of partial necrotic liver tissue.

Symptoms of focal pneumonia

Focal pneumonia often develops in people suffering from chronic inflammatory processes in the respiratory system. This form of the disease is more susceptible to people with severe heart failure, other diseases that negatively affect the vital activity of the body. The temperature in this form of the disease rises sharply to more than 38.5 degrees. Dry cough is noted, in some cases sputum may be separated with an admixture of pus. There is a chance of developing pain during coughing or deep breathing. The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of inflammation of the lung tissue.

On a note! With the aggravation of the symptoms of the disease, wheezing appears.

Symptoms of pneumonia in the elderly

Pneumonia in the elderly may present with a complex of atypical symptoms. The probability of an unfavorable prognosis increases with an increase in vascular insufficiency, combined with myocardial weakness. This phenomenon leads to a rapid increase in pulmonary edema. The accumulation of fluid in the lungs is possible as a result of their toxic damage, since vascular permeability increases during the inflammatory process.

Unlike young people, the severity of the condition of an elderly person often does not correspond to the clinical picture, since the course of pneumonia is erased in them, there are many other diseases that make it difficult to diagnose and interpret analyzes (for example, pulmonary fibrosis, left ventricular failure, diabetes etc.), immunity is reduced, they are inactive and often lie down. Also, the features of pneumonia that make it difficult to diagnose pneumonia include frequent violations of the central nervous system(apathy, lethargy, confusion, etc.), unexplained falls, often preceding the onset of symptoms of pneumonia. In this case, the disease often proceeds more and more severely, which is due to the nature of the pathogen, and comorbidities, and untimely diagnosis.

The main symptoms characteristic of pneumonia in the elderly:

The appearance of wheezing that is heard over the affected lung indicates the likelihood of rapid development of edema. Usually this phenomenon occurs against the background of shortness of breath, a general worsening of symptoms.
Often, pneumonia appears in older people suffering from other chronic diseases, in particular, heart failure, pneumosclerosis. These cases require prompt assistance. medical care. In some cases, the disease cannot be recognized in the initial stages, since the clinical picture is not very pronounced. There is a slight pain syndrome, it is possible to increase the temperature to subfebrile.
The development of pneumonia is likely even if, in the absence of typical symptoms, the patient notes weakness, a sharp decrease in activity. It is necessary to pay attention to the patient's condition, if he practically stops moving, refuses to walk, seems sleepy.
Elderly people with pneumonia often have a blush on one cheek, dry mucous membranes, shortness of breath, and the development of mental abnormalities. When conducting a survey in the elderly, voiced wet rales are often detected.

The severe course of the disease is characterized by bilateral or multi-lobe infiltration of the lung tissue, severe respiratory failure, complications, rapid progression of the process, etc.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Inflammation of the lungs poses a serious threat to life and health in the event of various complications: for example, acute respiratory failure, pleural empyema, lung tissue destruction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, exacerbation of a concomitant disease that a patient has. Perhaps the development of septic shock, pulmonary edema. Severe complications develop if pneumonia occurs in weakened people, as well as in old age. The development of complications is likely in the presence of disorders in the work of the heart, circulatory pathologies. Purulent-destructive complications of the disease require special attention of doctors.

Factors pointing to high risk the appearance of shock, are considered severe tachycardia, a sharp deterioration general condition, as well as general weakness, lowering body temperature. Possible grayish tint of the skin, sharpening of facial features. The severity of tachycardia increases, shortness of breath increases, the rhythm of heart contractions accelerates.

On a note! There is a drop in blood pressure, possibly a complete cessation of urination.

Symptoms of pulmonary complications of pneumonia

With the appearance of exudative pleurisy, abscess, breakthrough of the abscess, urgent medical care is necessary. To identify exudative pleurisy, it is necessary to pay attention to the characteristics of the patient's breathing. There is a significant lag right lung during inhalation. A general weakening of breathing is also diagnosed. If an abscess occurs, the symptoms of intoxication increase, the person sweats profusely, especially at night. The general body temperature is increased, but its values are constantly changing.

If an abscess ruptures, an abscess becomes apparent. There is a discharge of a large amount of sputum with an admixture of pus. The patient complains of an increase in pain in the affected area, a sharp deterioration in the patient's general condition is diagnosed.

On a note! Shortness of breath, which becomes chronic, increases, tachycardia increases, blood pressure sharply decreases.

There is a general worsening of negative symptoms, which makes it more convenient for patients to be in a semi-sitting position. Breathing becomes noisier, coughing, pain syndrome increase. Severe shortness of breath develops, and weakened breathing on the affected side is diagnosed. The pulse is weak, but very frequent. Arterial pressure decreases greatly. There is an acute negative symptomatology, for the relief of which it is necessary to provide emergency medical care.

Diagnostic criteria for determining pneumonia in the elderly

Atypical development of the disease can occur in elderly patients suffering from a severe decrease in immunity. Often pneumonia in this case is characterized by the complete absence of fever, while extrapulmonary signs come to the fore. Predominantly develop disorders of the cerebral nervous system. Symptoms of the inflammatory process in the lungs are not expressed, in some cases, even after passing the tests, it is not possible to accurately identify the causative agent of the disease.

On a note! To establish an accurate diagnosis, to identify the localization of the inflammatory process, an X-ray examination is performed. At the initial stage of the disease, radiological signs are not expressed, however, with the aggravation of the symptoms of the disease, a number of important indicators can be determined using these diagnostic measures.

Differential signs of pneumonia

In some cases, pneumonia is difficult to diagnose due to the spread of pain to the upper abdomen. You can also detect pain on palpation. These signs are associated with inflammation of the pleura, irritation of nerve endings. Pain can radiate not only to the abdominal cavity, but also to various organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal pain often occurs in the acute course of the disease.

Pain syndrome extending to the area under the ribs often affects the erroneous diagnosis. In some cases, doctors refer patients with pneumonia to the surgical department for the treatment of acute gastrointestinal diseases, as they make an erroneous diagnosis. In order not to be mistaken in the diagnosis, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the abdominal muscles. There is almost no tension in them. If mixed symptoms are detected, it is desirable to diagnose pneumonia in order to exclude its presence even in the initial stages.

There are many types of pneumonia that vary in severity from mild to severe and sometimes even fatal.

Causes of pneumonia

Often the cause is bacterial flora, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae. Bacterial pneumonia can develop after an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu. In about 50% of cases, the causative agent of pneumonia is a virus. Viral pneumonia is more common in winter and is usually not as acute as bacterial pneumonia.

In some cases, the causative agents are mycoplasmas - microorganisms with the properties of both viruses and bacteria.

Symptoms of pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia may be similar to those of a cold or. Depending on the etiology, pneumonia can have various symptoms.

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can appear both acutely and gradually.
They include: trembling, sharp chest pain, heavy sweating, cough with thick, reddish or greenish sputum, rapid pulse and rapid breathing, cyanotic lips and nails.

Viral pneumonia is characterized by: fever, dry cough, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue and severe shortness of breath.

Symptoms of pneumonia caused by mycoplasmas are often similar to those of bacterial and viral pneumonia, but are usually less pronounced.

Complications of pneumonia

What can you do

Consult your physician immediately. Before that, you can take an antipyretic, suitable cough medicines.

Contact your doctor immediately or call him at home in the following cases:

persistent cough, chest pain, fever;
a sharp deterioration in the general condition after a cold or flu;
chills, difficulty breathing.

If pneumonia is suspected in people over 65 years of age, people with chronic or immunocompromised conditions, children, and pregnant women, a doctor should be called immediately, who is likely to suggest hospitalization.

What can your doctor do

To confirm the diagnosis, a chest x-ray is performed. The causative agent is determined using a special analysis of blood and sputum. If a bacterial or fungal infection is detected, prescribe antibiotic therapy and antifungal drugs.

In severe cases, the patient is referred to the hospital. In severe respiratory failure, oxygen therapy is carried out.

Prevention

people over 65 and other risk groups are recommended to be vaccinated against certain types of streptococcus (it is one of the most common pathogens),
for children at risk (for example, asthma patients), a special
since pneumonia often appears as a complication of the flu, yearly flu shots are also way of prevention,
wash your hands with soap as often as possible, for 15-30 seconds, to remove microorganisms that can cause pneumonia,
support the body's resistance through a healthy diet, rest and regular exercise,
do not smoke. Smoking reduces the natural resistance of the bronchi and lungs to respiratory infections.

call ambulance in the event that before your eyes a person began to choke, his nails and nasolabial triangle turned blue, heavy, hoarse breathing, difficulty swallowing are heard.

Or pneumonia - a viral disease that can lead to serious consequences and death. To detect in time pneumonia and begin treatment, it is necessary to recognize its symptoms in a timely manner and undergo appropriate diagnosis. What signs indicate the development of pneumonia, and how to distinguish it from other diseases of the respiratory organs?

Pneumonia has infectious nature, and develops as a result of ingestion into the lungs pathogenic microorganisms- most often bacteria, sometimes viruses and fungi. They cause an inflammatory process, which is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the lumen of the alveoli and the appearance of certain symptoms.

The most common route for pathogens to enter the body is airborne when bacteria and viruses are released when the carrier coughs or sneezes and enters the nasopharynx of a healthy person. Less common is infection by the hematogenous route (with blood poisoning and other infectious diseases) and endogenous - microorganisms living in the nasopharynx are activated and cause an inflammatory process.

REFERENCE! As a rule, the causative agents of pathological processes in the lungs in adults are streptococci and mycoplasmas, which are present on the skin and in the respiratory tract, in older people the streptococcal form of the disease is most often diagnosed, in patients with kidney damage, pneumonia is caused by enterobacteria, in smokers - Haemophilus influenzae.

The severity of symptoms and signs of pneumonia at the initial stage depends on the pathogen, health status, age and characteristics of the human body. Sometimes inflammation of the lungs begins acutely, with a sharp deterioration in well-being, and as in some cases in adults it can develop over several days or weeks. Typically, pneumonia begins with the following symptoms:

of any nature (frequent, rare, dry, wet), which does not disappear and intensifies over several days;
an increase in temperature to any numbers - it can be a severe fever (39-40 degrees) or a prolonged subfebrile temperature (37-37.5 degrees);
feeling short of breath, shortness of breath;
decreased performance, feeling tired and weak;
hoarseness of voice;
runny nose and discomfort in the throat;
confusion;
loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea.

Incubation period pneumonia on early stage is 2-4 days, during which the first signs develop - immediately after their appearance, you should consult a doctor to avoid unpleasant consequences.

How it manifests itself in an adult

Inflammation of the lungs in adults, as a rule, develops as a result of hypothermia, reduced immunity, or against the background of other infectious diseases (flu, bronchitis, etc.).

The main symptom of the disease in adults in this case is intense cough, sometimes dry, but most often productive, with sputum. The sputum is thick, looks like pus or has a brown tint, sometimes bloody streaks or blood impurities.

Other symptoms come on with the cough or come on a little later, including fever, pain chest, chills, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, etc.

Inflammation of the lungs in adults can manifest itself in different ways, but doctors identify 4 main scenarios.

Pneumonia begins with the manifestation of the usual acute respiratory disease or influenza - high fever, weakness and weakness, after which a cough is added to them, at first dry, and then with sputum. The patient feels severe chills, pain in the sternum or right side, shortness of breath and lack of air.
The onset of the disease is characterized by a slight increase in temperature (up to 37-37.5 degrees), a cough with sputum, which is accompanied by wheezing in the chest, weakness, and headache.
With asymptomatic pneumonia, cough, fever and other similar symptoms are absent - a slight malaise may be felt, which is taken as signs of overwork. The disease is detected by chance, during a routine examination of the body and fluorography.
In the case of a protracted nature of the disease, periods of remission are interspersed with relapses - during remissions, patients experience only a dry cough, and with an exacerbation of pneumonia, fever, cough with sputum and chest pain appear.

Distinguishing pneumonia from other diseases of the respiratory system is quite difficult, but it can be suspected when a strong cough with sputum appears, which constantly intensifies and is accompanied by fever, chills, weakness, and other symptoms. Specific sign of incipient pathology- the inability to take a deep breath (when trying to breathe in deeply, a person feels pain, or he starts a coughing fit). It is impossible to make a diagnosis solely on external signs - to identify the inflammatory process, you should undergo an appropriate diagnosis.

IMPORTANT! The manifestations of pneumonia are largely influenced by the type of pathogen: the most complex forms of the disease are caused by the H1N1 influenza virus and Legionella, which are characterized by a severe course and serious complications.

In the elderly

Pneumonia in people of mature age is a common phenomenon, since with age, the work of the respiratory and immune system worsens, and the body becomes vulnerable to infectious and viral diseases.

The disease is usually starts with a cough, but in this case it is not wet, but dry, sometimes with a small amount of sputum.

In patients with concomitant pathologies (Alzheimer's disease, disorders after a stroke) or a severely weakened body, the cough reflex is often depressed, therefore this symptom often absent.

One of characteristic features pneumonia in the elderly severe shortness of breath, which manifests itself after minor exertion or at rest. Fever in this case occurs in 75-80%, but sometimes pneumonia occurs against the background of normal or low temperature.

Sometimes the disease begins with disorders of the nervous system - apathy, constant fatigue and drowsiness, loss of appetite and interest in the outside world and urinary incontinence, which are mistaken for signs of age-related dementia. Another manifestation of pneumonia in the elderly is the exacerbation of certain chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, heart failure, etc.

The absence of a classic picture of pneumonia (productive cough, high fever) in elderly patients is a prognostically unfavorable sign, makes it difficult to make a diagnosis and often leads to serious complications.

IMPORTANT! Pneumonia in adulthood is of particular danger in cases where it develops in bedridden patients, people with cardiovascular pathologies, pulmonary emphysema, and signs of COPD, since there is a high risk of pulmonary edema.

Teenagers

The reasons for the development of pneumonia in adolescence do not differ from the reasons why the disease occurs in adults - the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into Airways, hypothermia of the body, decreased immunity, etc.

Symptoms to look out for include: cough usually dry, or with a small amount of rusty sputum;

sudden deterioration in well-being;
a sharp increase in temperature to 38-39 degrees;
the appearance of shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
pain in the chest area, which increases with coughing and deep breaths;
feeling of apathy, fatigue and impotence;
heavy sweating, especially at night.

Symptoms of pneumonia in adolescents largely depend on pathogen- streptococcal and staphylococcal forms cause a strong cough, subfebrile temperature, weakness and pain in the chest area. Inflammation of the lungs of viral etiology is characterized by sudden fever (temperature rise to 39 degrees and above), a debilitating cough with frothy sputum and bloody streaks, and weakness.

(caused by legionella, chlamydia, mycoplasmas) are accompanied by a slight fever and chills, pain in the muscles and joints, severe sweating, blanching of the skin.

REFERENCE! Inflammation of the lungs in adolescents (13, 14, 15, 16, 17 years) occurs in a less severe form with mild symptoms than in adults and the elderly, and in most cases has a favorable prognosis. The exception is pneumonia in children with a seriously weakened body and immunodeficiency states.

Features of different types of disease

There are several forms of pneumonia, each of which is characterized by a specific clinical picture and severity of symptoms.

What are the differences from bronchitis

Inflammation of the lungs and bronchitis are diseases of the respiratory system that have a similar clinical picture, and it can be very difficult to tell them apart based solely on symptoms. What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia:

in 90% of cases, bronchitis has a viral etiology, and pneumonia is bacterial;
with bronchitis, there is a slight increase in temperature, and with inflammation of the lungs - severe fever (up to 38-39 degrees);
sputum with bronchitis usually has a light shade, and with pneumonia it is greenish or rusty, streaks of blood may appear;
when listening to the chest in patients with bronchitis, dry rales are heard, in people with pneumonia - wet.

IMPORTANT! Only a doctor can distinguish one form of the disease from another, as well as prescribe the correct therapy, therefore, with the development of symptoms, you should contact a medical institution as soon as possible.

With an atypical course of the first or second disease, it is possible to distinguish them from each other only with the help of complex diagnostics.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures for suspected pneumonia in adults include:

External examination of the patient, collection of anamnesis and complaints, listening to the chest;
chest- the most informative way to identify inflammatory processes in the lungs (characteristic blackouts appear on the pictures at the sites of tissue damage and other signs of the disease);
Blood, urine and sputum tests are carried out to determine the inflammatory process in the body (increased levels of leukocytes and ESR), as well as the causative agent of pneumonia and its sensitivity to antibiotics;
Fibrobronchoscopy, CT and MRI of the chest are necessary when it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis of pneumonia on the basis of the above methods according to the signs.

IMPORTANT! Only a doctor can make a diagnosis based on complex diagnostics, since clinical course pneumonia can resemble not only bronchitis, but also other diseases of the respiratory system (inflammation of the pleura of the lungs, bronchopneumonia, COPD, etc.).

Treatment

Uncomplicated pneumonia in adults and adolescents can be treated on an outpatient basis (at home), but elderly patients, as well as those who have severe symptoms and comorbidities, are subject to hospitalization.

The most common cause of pneumonia is bacterial origin, therefore, it is treated - most often with broad-spectrum drugs. If the disease was caused viruses or fungi, the patient is prescribed the appropriate antiviral and antifungal therapy. In addition, medications are used for symptomatic therapy - antipyretic, expectorant and analgesic drugs that reduce fever, relieve cough and pain.

Together with drug treatment patients need bed rest, food containing protein and vitamins, plentiful warm drink, taking vitamins and immunostimulating drugs. To enhance the effect of therapy, therapeutic methods are recommended - electrophoresis, inhalation, massage, magnetotherapy, etc. Folk remedies can only be used as an addition to the main therapy prescribed by a doctor, otherwise the patient's condition can only worsen.