Why does pneumonia develop? The first symptoms of pneumonia in adults

Pneumonia in adults is a very insidious disease. It develops quickly and is sometimes difficult to recognize initial stage. Because the symptoms of pneumonia are very similar to the flu or a common cold. In ancient times, pneumonia was considered a very dangerous disease, and the mortality rate from it was high. In modern medicine, there are many effective drugs that can cope with this disease. Every year, a large number of people fall ill with pneumonia, and it is considered one of the most common diseases respiratory organs. But in order to effectively and without consequences overcome pneumonia, it is necessary to seek qualified help at the first symptoms.

Pneumonia or pneumonia in adults - definition of the disease

Pneumonia is a group of diseases in which the bronchioles and respiratory units through which oxygen is exchanged between the lungs and the blood - the alveoli - occur. Inflammatory fluid collects in them, as a result of which a certain area of ​​the respiratory organs ceases to fulfill its function. main function– gas exchange. This affected area becomes a source of poisoning for the entire body. talk about the initial stage of the disease.

How to diagnose: main symptoms and first signs, whether there is a fever

The symptoms of pneumonia in adults are quite similar, regardless of the pathogen that caused the disease. The main symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Dry obsessive cough;
• Dyspnea;
• Heat;
• General weakness of the body;
• Increased fatigue;
• The appearance of fear from lack of air.

One of the first and main symptoms of pneumonia in adults is a persistent dry cough. Later, as the disease progresses, it becomes more moist and sputum begins to come out. Sometimes with a small amount of blood. The cough becomes painful and causes painful sensations in the chest area.

The increase in body temperature directly depends on the state of the patient’s immune system and what pathogen caused the pneumonia. Medicines taken for fever do not bring the desired effect except to bring it down for a short time.

In some cases, pneumonia occurs without elevated temperature. And the symptoms of the disease can appear as follows:

• When turning the body, the patient feels pain and discomfort in the chest area;
• A whistling sound is heard when breathing;
• Inhalation is difficult;
• General weakness, sweating;
• Unhealthy, painful redness of the face.

Pneumonia without fever is much more difficult to treat. At the first symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

At the initial stage, pneumonia can be easily confused with. Only with the appearance of shortness of breath and a significant increase in temperature does the doctor refer the patient for an x-ray, after which the diagnosis is finally determined.

When to see a doctor - treatment

Do not forget that the sooner you consult a doctor for qualified help, the faster you will get rid of the disease, the faster the body will recover, and the risk of negative consequences will be minimal.

In what cases should you immediately consult a doctor? If you experience the following symptoms:

1. Severe dry cough.
2. Coughing up blood.
3. If ARVI is not treated for more than a week.
4. It’s painful to inhale or it’s impossible to take a deep breath.
5. When you take a deep breath, a cough begins.
6. Fear of suffocation and lack of air.
7. The appearance of shortness of breath, although you did not notice it before.
8. Inability to reduce the temperature with anti-fever medications (Panadol, Efferalgan and others).
9. Chest pain that radiates to the stomach.
10. Pale facial skin even at fever.
11. Unhealthy blush on the cheek on the side of the affected lung.

Causes

Almost any harmful microorganism can cause pneumonia. Chlamydia, Legionella microplasma and other bacteria. As well as influenza viruses, parainfluenza, rhinoviruses or fungi.

Most often, pneumonia appears due to the penetration of bacteria or viruses through airborne droplets. environment. Less commonly, penetration occurs through blood or lymph. If a person works normally the immune system, it is able to resist attacks from harmful microorganisms. Children and elderly people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to pneumonia. There are some factors that contribute to the development of pneumonia in adults:

• Weakened immune system;
• Hypothermia of the body;
• Chronic diseases of the lungs or bronchi ();
• Heart diseases;
• Tobacco smoking;
• Alcohol abuse;
• Reception medicines that suppress the immune system;
• Old age;
• Work in hazardous production;
• Congenital pneumonia sometimes occurs in infants. When the mother has previously suffered from an illness.

Types and classifications

According to its etiology, pneumonia occurs:

• Viral. Caused by various viruses (influenza, parainfluenza and others);
• Bacterial. The lungs become infected by certain types of bacteria. Haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus;
• Mycoplasma. Refers to an atypical form of pneumonia. The causative agent of this type of disease is the microorganism Mycoplasma pneumoniae;
• Gribkov. Pneumonia is caused by different kinds fungi;
• Mixed. Pneumonia caused by the simultaneous influence of various microorganisms on humans.

According to the course of the disease, pneumonia is classified:

• Spicy. A disease in which acute pathological processes occur in the lungs;
• Lingering. Acute inflammatory processes in the lungs that lasted longer than a month;
• Atypical. A complex type of pneumonia, which was caused by “atypical” pathogens;
• Chronic. Recurrent exacerbations of pneumonia, which affects soft fabrics lungs.

To prevent chronic pneumonia, it is necessary not to develop colds.

According to the spread of inflammation, pneumonia can be:

• One-sided. The disease affects one side of the lungs;
• . The lung tissues of the right and left lobes are affected;
• Focal. IN inflammatory process separate areas of the lung are involved. It is the most common type of pneumonia. Often occurs as a complication of another disease and, as a rule, begins with damage to the bronchi;
• Total. A type of disease where pneumonia affects the entire lung;
• Share. The disease covers the entire lobe. Top, bottom or middle;
• Radical. This type of pneumonia may not manifest itself for a very long time and be asymptomatic. Localized in the region of the pulmonary root;

Pneumonia(another name is) is an infectious disease in which damage occurs alveoli – bubbles with thin walls that saturate the blood with oxygen. Pneumonia is considered to be one of the most common diseases, because the human lungs and respiratory system are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Types of pneumonia are determined by the area affected. Thus, focal pneumonia occupies only a small part of the lung, segmental pneumonia affects one or more segments of the lung, lobar pneumonia spreads to a lobe of the lung, with confluent pneumonia, small foci merge into larger ones, total pneumonia affects the lung as a whole.

In acute pneumonia, an inflammatory process occurs in the lung tissue, which, as a rule, is of a bacterial nature. The success of treatment for the disease, which must be carried out in a hospital, directly depends on how timely the patient sought help. With lobar inflammation, the disease develops suddenly: a person’s body temperature rises sharply, reaching 39-40°C, he feels chest pain, severe chills, a dry cough, which after a certain time turns into a cough with sputum.

Pneumonia in children and adults can also occur with some symptoms erased. So, the patient may assume the presence, but weakness, moderate body temperature, and cough persist for a very long time.

In addition, a distinction is made between unilateral pneumonia (in which one lung is affected) and bilateral (both lungs are affected). Primary pneumonia occurs as an independent disease, and secondary inflammation occurs as an ailment that develops against the background of another disease.

Causes of pneumonia

The most common cause of pneumonia is Pneumococcus or hemophilus influenzae . In addition, it can act as a causative agent of pneumonia mycoplasma , legionella , chlamydia etc. Today there are vaccines that prevent the disease or significantly alleviate its symptoms

There are few bacteria in the lungs of a healthy person. , which get into them, are destroyed by a full-fledged immune system. But if the body’s protective functions do not work due to certain reasons, a person develops pneumonia. In view of the above, pneumonia most often occurs in patients with weak immunity , in the elderly and children.

The pathogens enter the human lungs through the respiratory tract. For example, mucus from the mouth, which contains bacteria or viruses, can enter the lungs. After all, a number of pathogens that cause pneumonia exist in the nasopharynx of healthy people. Also, the occurrence of this disease is provoked by inhalation of air that contains pathogens. The route of transmission of pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae is airborne.

Development of pneumonia in children early age provoke the following factors: injuries received during childbirth, intrauterine And asphyxia , congenital heart defects And lung , cystic fibrosis , hereditary nature, hypovitaminosis .

In children in school age pneumonia can develop due to the presence chronic foci of infection in the nasopharynx , bronchitis with relapses , cystic fibrosisA , immunodeficiency , acquired heart defectsA .

In adults, pneumonia can be caused by Chronical bronchitis and lung diseases, heavy smoking, , immunodeficiency , previous surgical interventions in the chest and abdominal cavity, And addiction .

Signs of pneumonia

In most cases, pneumonia in children, as well as in adults, occurs as a consequence of another disease. A number of symptoms that appear in a patient allow one to suspect pneumonia. You should pay special attention to some signs of pneumonia. So, with pneumonia, the most pronounced symptom of the disease is cough. The situation should be alarming if the patient improves after feeling unwell during a cold, or duration colds more than seven days.

There are other signs of pneumonia: cough when trying to breathe deeply, the presence of severe pallor of the skin, which accompanies the usual symptoms of ARVI, the presence of shortness of breath with relatively low temperature bodies. When pneumonia develops, the patient’s body temperature does not decrease after taking antipyretics ( , ).

It should be noted that if you have the above signs of pneumonia, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

Symptoms of pneumonia

As the disease develops, a person exhibits certain symptoms of pneumonia. Thus, the body temperature rises sharply - it can rise to 39-40 degrees, there is a cough, during which purulent sputum is released. The following symptoms of pneumonia also occur: chest pain , strong , constant weakness . At night, the patient may experience very strong sweating. If you do not start treating the disease on time, pneumonia will progress very quickly, and its result can even be fatal. There are types of this disease in which the symptoms of pneumonia are less pronounced. In this case, the patient may have a feeling of weakness.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

Today, doctors are able to accurately diagnose pneumonia using different methods examinations. After the patient contacts the specialist, first of all, conducts a detailed survey and listens to the patient. In some doubtful cases it is carried out clinical analysis blood, as well as x-ray examination. As additional studies, in some cases, computed tomography of the chest is performed, bronchoscopy followed by , urine analysis and other examinations prescribed by the attending physician.

The results of these studies make it possible to diagnose pneumonia with high accuracy.

Treatment of pneumonia

In the treatment of pneumonia important factor Success becomes the selection, as well as the dosage and methods of getting the drug into the patient’s body. So, antibiotics are administered either by route or taken in the form of tablets or syrups. Medicines are selected depending on the type of pathogen causing pneumonia.

Also in the process of treating pneumonia, a number of medicines, which have bronchodilator properties,. After some improvement in the condition, when the patient’s body temperature normalizes, treatment for pneumonia includes physiotherapy and therapeutic massage. If these methods are used, improvement occurs much faster. After recovery, in some cases the patient is prescribed a repeat x-ray to ensure the success of the treatment.

After completing the main course of treatment for pneumonia, the patient is prescribed an additional dose. vitamin complex within a month. Indeed, during the course of pneumonia, a large number of beneficial microorganisms that produce B vitamins .

Every day, people who have had pneumonia are recommended to take special classes breathing exercises . These are exercises that help increase the mobility of the chest, as well as stretching adhesions that could have formed as a result of the disease. Breathing exercises are especially recommended for elderly patients. Also, after an illness, people should spend more time in the fresh air.

With the correct approach to treatment, recovery occurs 3-4 weeks after the onset of the disease.

The doctors

Medicines

Prevention of pneumonia

Methods for preventing pneumonia coincide with the prevention of bronchitis and acute respiratory infections. Children need to be gradually and regularly hardened, starting from a very early age. It is also important to strengthen the immune system, as well as prevent factors that provoke a state of immunodeficiency.

A risk factor for acute pneumonia is considered to be a tendency to microthrombosis, which occurs with constant bed rest and taking a number of drugs ( infekundin , bisecurin , ). To prevent acute pneumonia in this case, it is recommended to carry out physical therapy, breathing exercises, and massage every day. Special attention should be considered for the prevention of pneumonia in older patients due to a decrease in T and B immunity.

Diet, nutrition for pneumonia

In parallel with the course drug treatment Patients with pneumonia are advised to follow certain principles in nutrition, which allows them to achieve more effective results treatment. Thus, during the period of acute pneumonia, the patient is advised to observe , energy value which does not exceed 1600-1800 kcal. To reduce the inflammatory process, you should limit your salt intake (6 g of salt per day is enough for the patient), and also increase the amount of foods high in vitamins C and P in your diet. Black currants, gooseberries, rose hips, herbs, citrus fruits, and lemons are considered especially valuable foods , raspberries, etc. Equally important is compliance with the drinking regime - you need to drink at least two liters of liquid per day. To ensure that the body contains the required amount of calcium, it is worth consuming more dairy products, and at the same time eliminating foods containing oxalic acid from the diet.

You should eat in small portions, six times a day. Especially healthy dishes and products during the treatment of pneumonia are vegetables, fruits, berries, cranberry juice, tea with lemon, dairy dishes, eggs, cereals and mucous decoctions of cereals, low-fat broths from meat and fish. You should not eat baked goods, fatty, salty and smoked foods, fats, chocolate, and spices.

During the recovery process, the patient's diet must be made more calorie-rich with additional proteins, and foods that improve the secretion of the stomach and pancreas should also be consumed.

Complications of pneumonia

As complications of pneumonia, patients may experience a number of serious conditions: And lightweightO , pleural empyema , pleurisy , manifestations of acute respiratory failure , sepsis , pulmonary edema . If the treatment regimen was chosen incorrectly, or the patient has severe immunodeficiency, pneumonia can be fatal.

List of sources

• Respiratory diseases / ed. N.R. Paleeva. M.: Medicine, 2000.
• Manerov F.K. Diagnosis and therapy of acute pneumonia: abstract. dis. ... doc. honey. Sci. - 1992.
• Fedorov A.M. Gentle methods of diagnosis and treatment of acute pneumonia: abstract. dis. ... doc. honey. Sci. - M., 1992.
• Zilber Z.K. Emergency pulmonology. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009.

The ability to breathe unimpeded is an important part of a good quality of life. Due to unfavorable ecology, radiation and other negative factors, the lungs and other organs of the human respiratory system are at risk. In our article we will talk about one of the most common respiratory diseases in adults - o community-acquired pneumonia.

Prevalence

According to official statistics, the incidence of pneumonia in adults averages 0.3-0.4%, but according to estimates it is much higher. It is believed that on average in Russia 14-15 out of 1000 people suffer from pneumonia every year. The incidence is higher in older people, as well as among conscripts. In Russia every year the number of patients is more than 1.5 million people, in the USA - more than 5 million, in European countries - 3 million.

The mortality rate from this disease is also quite high: in Russia it is approximately 27 cases per 100 thousand population per year. Thus, in a small city with a population of 300 thousand people, 81 people die from pneumonia per year from pneumonia. The risk of death from pneumonia is especially high in people over 60 years of age who have serious concomitant diseases (having suffered from kidney disease or), as well as in severe cases of pneumonia itself and in.

Late seeking of medical help plays a significant role in mortality from pneumonia.

What is pneumonia

Pneumonia is an acute infectious disease with focal damage to the lungs, accompanied by exudation (sweating) of fluid into the respiratory vesicles and alveoli. The diagnosis of “chronic pneumonia” is considered obsolete and is not used.

The International Classification of Diseases, X Revision, proposes to classify bacterial pneumonia depending on its causative agent, which can be:

• Pneumococcus;
• hemophilus influenzae;
• Klebsiella;
• pseudomonas;
• staphylococcus;
• streptococcus;
• coli;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydia;
• other bacteria.

However, the widespread use of this classification is difficult due to difficulties in isolating the pathogen, its identification, as well as due to frequent self-medication with antibiotics before seeing a doctor.

Therefore, in practical work, doctors use the division of pneumonia into community-acquired and hospital-acquired (nosocomial). These two groups differ in the conditions of occurrence and the presumed causative agents.

Community-acquired pneumonia, which will be discussed later, occurs outside the hospital, or later than 4 weeks after discharge from it, or earlier than 48 hours after admission for another reason.

How does the disease arise and develop?

The main ways microbes enter the lungs are:

• aspiration of contents oral cavity and pharynx;
• inhalation of air containing germs.

Less commonly, the infection spreads through blood vessels from other foci of infection (for example, with) or enters directly into the lung tissue when the chest is injured or abscesses of neighboring organs.

The most common route of entry of pathogens is from the mouth and pharynx during sleep. In healthy people, microorganisms are immediately eliminated by the cilia lining the bronchi, coughing, and are also killed by immune cells. If these protective mechanisms are disrupted, conditions are created for pathogens to “fix” themselves in the lungs. There they multiply and cause an inflammatory reaction, manifested by general and local symptoms. Thus, in order to get pneumonia, it is not necessary to come into contact with a sick person. The pathogens live on the skin and in the nasopharynx of the sick person and are activated when the body’s defenses are reduced.

Inhalation of microbial aerosol is observed less frequently. It is described, for example, in the classic outbreak of which developed due to the entry of a microorganism into a hotel air conditioning system.

The most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia is pneumococcus; a little less often it is caused by chlamydia, mycoplasma and legionella, as well as Haemophilus influenzae. A mixed infection is often determined.

Viruses, as a rule, are only a “conductor” for the bacterial flora, inhibiting those protective mechanisms that we discussed above. Therefore, the term “viral-bacterial pneumonia” is considered incorrect. Viruses, including the virus, do not infect the alveoli, but the interstitial (intermediate) tissue of the lungs, and it is not recommended to call this process pneumonia.

Clinical signs

In most cases, based on complaints and examination data, it is impossible to accurately determine which microorganism caused the disease.

Typical signs of pneumonia in young patients:

• fever;
• cough: initially dry, after 3-4 days it softens;
• the appearance of sputum - from mucous to purulent, sometimes streaked with blood;
• chest pain;
• severe weakness;
• night sweats;
• cardiopalmus.

Classic signs such as a sudden rise in temperature and sharp pain in the chest, some patients are absent. This is especially true for elderly and weakened patients. Pneumonia should be suspected if they experience an unexplained increase in weakness, loss of strength, nausea, or refusal to eat. Pneumonia in such people may be accompanied by abdominal pain or impaired consciousness. In addition, for no apparent reason, decompensation of concomitant diseases occurs: shortness of breath intensifies, increases in severity, blood sugar levels increase or decrease, and occurs.

Upon examination, the doctor can detect a dull percussion sound over the affected area, an area of ​​bronchial breathing with wheezing or crepitus, and increased vocal tremors. These classic signs do not occur in all patients. Therefore, if pneumonia is suspected, additional tests must be carried out.

Although the clinical division into typical ones is not recognized now, there are still features of the course of pneumonia caused by various pathogens, especially at the height of the disease.

Mycoplasma pneumonia can be complicated by erythema (foci of redness of the skin), otitis, encephalitis, myelitis (lesion spinal cord with the development of paralysis). The disease caused by Legionella is accompanied by impaired consciousness, renal and. Chlamydia manifests itself as hoarseness and sore throat.

Main diagnostic tests

Typically, a survey radiography of the chest organs is performed in frontal and lateral projections (“en face” and “profile”). It can be successfully replaced by large-frame or digital fluorography. The examination is carried out if pneumonia is suspected and 2 weeks after the start of antibacterial therapy.

Computed tomography is the most informative for identifying pneumonia. It is carried out in the following situations:

1. In a patient with obvious symptoms of pneumonia, changes on the radiograph do not confirm the disease.
2. In a patient with typical symptoms, changes on the radiograph indicate another disease.
3. Recurrence of pneumonia in the same place as before.
4. Protracted course of the disease, longer than one month.

In the last two cases, it is necessary to exclude cancer of the large bronchus or other pulmonary diseases.

To diagnose the most common complications of pneumonia - pleurisy and abscess (abscess) of the lung - computed tomography is used and ultrasonography in dynamics.

The reverse development of pneumonia takes 1-1.5 months. If treatment is successful, a control photograph is taken no earlier than 2 weeks after the start of the course of antibiotics. The purpose of such a study is to diagnose tuberculosis, “hidden under the guise” of pneumonia.

Additional diagnostic tests

A general blood test determines an increase in the number of leukocytes to 10-12 x 10 12 /l. A decrease in the number of these cells less than 3 x 10 12 / l or a significant increase - more than 25 x 10 12 / l - is a sign of an unfavorable prognosis.

The biochemical blood test changes little. It is used to determine liver and kidney function, which is important when choosing antibiotics.

If the patient has shortness of breath at rest, concomitant, massive pleurisy or blood oxygen saturation is less than 90%, then an analysis of the gas composition of arterial blood is necessary. Significant hypoxemia (decreased oxygen concentration in the blood) is an indication for transferring the patient to the intensive care unit and oxygen therapy.

A microbiological examination of sputum is carried out, but its results largely depend on external factors, for example, the correct technique for taking the analysis. In the hospital, microscopy of a Gram-stained sputum smear is required.

In case of severe pneumonia, blood should be taken for culture testing (“blood for sterility”) before starting antibiotic treatment. However, the inability to quickly take such an analysis should not prevent the early start of treatment.

Research is being conducted on the feasibility of determining pathogen antigens in urine, a pneumococcal rapid test, and a polymerase chain reaction.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is performed if pulmonary tuberculosis is suspected, as well as to diagnose a foreign body or bronchial tumor.

If it is impossible to perform any research, you need to start treating the patient with antibiotics as soon as possible.

Where to treat the patient

In many ways, the solution to this issue depends on the doctor and the characteristics of the patient. Often, mild pneumonia is treated at home. However, there are signs, the presence of at least one of which is an indication for hospitalization:

• shortness of breath with a respiratory rate of more than 30 per minute;
• blood pressure level is below 90/60 mm Hg. Art.;
• increase in heart rate to 125 per minute or more;
• a decrease in body temperature of less than 35.5˚ or an increase of more than 39.9˚;
• disturbance of consciousness;
• the number of leukocytes in the blood test is less than 4 x 10 9 / L or more than 20 x 10 9 / L;
• decrease in oxygen content in the blood according to pulse oximetry to a level of 92% or less;
• an increase in the level of creatinine in the blood serum in a biochemical analysis over 176.7 µmol/l (this is a sign of beginning);
• damage to more than one lobe of the lung according to radiography;
• lung abscess;
• the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
• rapid increase in changes in the lungs;
• hemoglobin level in the blood is below 90 g/l;
• foci of infection in other organs, sepsis, multiple organ failure;
• inability to carry out all medical prescriptions at home.

In severe cases of the disease, treatment begins in the intensive care unit.

It is preferable to carry out treatment in a hospital in the following situations:

• patient over 60 years old;
• the presence of chronic lung diseases, malignant tumors, severe heart or kidney failure, low body weight, alcoholism or drug addiction;
• failure of initial antibiotic therapy;
• pregnancy;
• the desire of the patient or his relatives.

Antibiotics for pneumonia

The drugs of choice are inhibitor-protected penicillins that are not destroyed by microbial enzymes: amoxicillin/clavulanate and amoxicillin/sulbactam. They effectively kill pneumococcus, have low toxicity, their experience effective application is calculated in years and decades. These drugs are usually used for oral administration in outpatient settings, with mild severity of the disease.

In the hospital, the primacy often belongs to 3rd generation cephalosporins: cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. They are administered intramuscularly once a day.

The disadvantage of beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) is their low effectiveness against mycoplasma, klebsiella and legionella. Therefore, macrolides, which also act on these microbes, are widely used to treat pneumonia. Erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin are used both orally and by injection. The combination of macrolides and beta-lactams is especially effective.

An excellent treatment for pneumonia are the so-called respiratory fluoroquinolones: levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin. They effectively act on almost all known pathogens of pneumonia. These drugs are prescribed once a day; they accumulate in the lung tissue, which improves the outcome of treatment.

The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor and is individual for each patient. Typically, treatment with antibacterial drugs is stopped if the patient has all of the following symptoms:

• body temperature below 37.8˚C for 2-3 days;
• heart rate less than 100 per minute;
• respiratory rate less than 24 per minute;
• systolic arterial pressure more than 90 mm Hg. Art.;
• blood oxygen saturation according to pulse oximetry is more than 92%.

In most cases of uncomplicated pneumonia, the duration of antibiotic treatment is 7-10 days.

Pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy

If pneumonia is severe or has caused complications, the following drugs are used in addition to antibiotics:

• fresh frozen plasma and human immunoglobulin to restore immunity;
• heparin in combination with dextran to correct microcirculation disorders;
• albumin in case of a violation of the protein composition of the blood;
• saline sodium chloride solution, if necessary, potassium and magnesium salts for detoxification;
• oxygen using a nasal catheter, a mask, or even transfer to artificial ventilation;
• glucocorticoids in shock;
• vitamin C as an antioxidant that reduces cell damage;
• bronchodilators for proven bronchial obstruction: ipratropium bromide, salbutamol through;
• mucolytics (ambroxol, acetylcysteine) orally or through.

The patient needs bed rest and then gentle rest, a sufficiently high-calorie diet that is easy to digest, and plenty of fluids. Breathing exercises should be started 2-3 days after body temperature normalizes. It can include both special exercises and basic ones, for example, inflating balloons 1-2 times a day.

During the period of resorption of the inflammatory focus, physiotherapy is prescribed:

• inductothermy;
• microwave therapy;
• electrophoresis of lidase, heparin, calcium chloride;
• thermal procedures (paraffin compresses).

Complications

Community-acquired pneumonia can be complicated by the following conditions:

• pleural effusion;
• pleural empyema;
• destruction of lung tissue (abscess formation);
• acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute respiratory failure;
• sepsis, septic shock, bacterial foci in other organs (heart, kidneys, etc.).

Of particular importance are purulent complications: lung abscess and pleural empyema. Their treatment requires long-term antibacterial therapy, with empyema (accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity) - drainage.

Slowly resolving pneumonia

It happens that even after intensive antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of the disease disappear, but radiological signs remain. If they persist for more than 4 weeks, they speak of slowly resolving pneumonia. Risk factors for protracted course:

• age over 55 years;
• alcoholism;
• severe diseases of the lungs, heart, kidneys, diabetes;
• severe pneumonia;
• smoking;
• sepsis;
• resistance of microorganisms to drugs.

If these factors exist, the patient continues restorative treatment, which we will discuss below, and X-ray control is prescribed after a month. If the changes are saved, they are assigned additional methods research. These methods are prescribed immediately if the patient does not have risk factors for prolonged pneumonia.

What diseases can occur under the guise of prolonged pneumonia:

• malignant tumors (lung and bronchus cancer, metastases, lymphoma);
• pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction;
• immunopathological diseases (vasculitis, aspergillosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and others);
• other diseases (heart failure, drug-induced lung damage, bronchial foreign body, sarcoidosis, pulmonary atelectasis).

To diagnose these conditions, bronchoscopy with biopsy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used.

Residual effects of pneumonia

After the destruction of microorganisms in the lungs of a recovering patient, residual effects associated with subsiding inflammation, tissue regeneration, and a temporary weakening of the body’s defenses may be disturbing.

A persistent increase in body temperature to 37-37.5˚ may indicate non-infectious inflammation, post-infectious asthenia, and drug fever.

Changes on a chest x-ray may persist for 1-2 months after recovery. During the same time, the patient may complain of a dry cough, especially if he smokes or suffers from chronic bronchitis.

As a manifestation of post-infectious asthenia (weakness of the body), night sweats may persist, fast fatiguability. Typically, complete recovery takes 2-3 months.

The natural process is to maintain dry wheezing in the lungs for a month. May also be noted increased speed erythrocyte sedimentation, which is a nonspecific process and does not carry any additional information.

Prevention

Prevention of pneumonia includes nonspecific and specific methods.

A specific method of preventing the disease is vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine and. It is suggested that these vaccinations be given to the following categories of the population who are at high risk of pneumonia and its complications:

• all people over 50 years of age;
• persons living in nursing homes;
• patients with chronic heart or lung diseases, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, immunodeficiency conditions, including HIV-infected people;
• women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy;
• family members of the listed persons;
• medical workers.

Vaccination is carried out in October-November annually.

Nonspecific prevention of pneumonia:

• labor protection and compliance with hygiene standards at work;
• public health education;
• and giving up bad habits;

Symptoms of pulmonary pneumonia, signs, treatment and types.

Pneumonia, or pneumonia, is a pathology of the respiratory system in children and adults.

A serious illness that requires careful care and thoughtful treatment.

Symptoms depend on the cause, form and severity of the disease.

There are typical and atypical clinical pictures.

In the second case, diagnosis based only on external signs is difficult.

Therefore, additional research is being carried out. And based on the data obtained, therapy is prescribed.

Features of the disease

To understand, you need to imagine the structure of the lungs.

• These are paired organs that are located in the chest.
• Lung tissue consists of bronchi and alveoli.
• Inhaled and exhaled air passes through the bronchi. Therefore, inflammation is interconnected. Against the background of one disease, another may occur.
• Alveoli are air sacs. These are thin-walled cavities penetrated by a network of capillaries. From the alveoli, oxygen enters the blood. And waste carbon dioxide passes from the blood to the alveoli. Outwardly, they resemble bunches of grapes.

Alveoli - terminal part respiratory tract– perform an important function: gas exchange. During pneumonia, it is the alveoli that are affected.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by certain types of microbes.

Various infectious agents cause different types diseases. To assign correct treatment, you need to determine the type of pathogen.

1. up to six months, in half of the cases pneumonia is caused by pneumococcal bacteria. 10% - Haemophilus influenzae. Very rarely - chlamydia and mycoplasma.
2. In preschoolers and primary schoolchildren, chlamydia and mycoplasma come first (up to 50% of all cases). Pneumococci occur in 30-35% of cases.
3. In adolescents and adults, the infectious-inflammatory process is caused by staphylococci, pneumococci, intestinal, Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In children, the viral nature of pneumonia is recorded more often than in adults.

All people encounter pathogens. But such contacts do not lead to inflammation in the lungs for everyone. There are factors that increase the likelihood of the disease.

Causes of pneumonia in young children:

• oxygen starvation during fetal development, asphyxia;
• trauma during the passage of the birth canal;
• pneumopathy (bacterial infection of the respiratory system);
• congenital heart disease, lung development;
• hypovitaminosis;
• malnutrition;
• hereditary immunodeficiency.

Causes of pneumonia in schoolchildren:

• chronic processes in the nasopharynx of an infectious nature;
• , often relapsing;
• cystic fibrosis;
• weak immunity;
• acquired heart disease;
• smoking;
• hypothermia.

Causes of pneumonia in adults:

• often exacerbating chronic bronchitis;
• chronic;
• smoking;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• weak immunity;
• heart failure;
• surgery in the chest or abdominal area;
• stress;
• overwork;
• alcoholism;
• taking narcotic drugs;
• chest injuries;
• prolonged forced horizontal position;
• oncological diseases;
• long-term artificial ventilation;
• age over 60 years.

Classification of pneumonia

Depending on the zone and extent of damage:

• (a small lesion of the lung is affected);
• (one or more segments are involved in the pathological process);
• lobar (the entire lobe is affected, most often the alveoli with the adjacent area of ​​the pleura);
• drainage (small areas of infection merge into larger ones);
• total (the entire lung is affected).

Distinguish one-sided pneumonia (if only one lung is diseased) and bilateral.

An independent disease is called primary pneumonia. A pathology that arises against the background of another illness is secondary.

Depending on the nature of the disease:

• (with immunodeficiency, without, aspiration);
• (developed during hospital treatment for another disease);
• , ventilation (while taking cytostatics or transplanting donor organs);
• caused by medical intervention (with frequent hospitalizations, parenteral administration of drugs, hemodialysis; residents of nursing homes are susceptible).

Depending on the type of infectious agent:

• pneumococcal pneumonia;
• caused by Haemophilus influenzae;
• streptococcal;
• provoked by mycoplasma;
• candida;
• viral;
• pneumonic plague, etc.

Symptoms of lung pneumonia

Typical symptoms of infectious pneumonia:

• a sharp rise in temperature;
• “deep” cough with copious discharge of mucopurulent and purulent sputum (sometimes accompanied by pleural pain);
• when listening – the percussion sound is short, breathing is harsh; first dry and then wet wheezing;
• dark spots are visible on the x-ray.

Atypical pneumonia has the following symptoms:

• gradual onset;
• dry non-productive cough;
• headache and muscle pain;
• painful sensations and sore throat;
• weakness throughout the body;
• X-ray changes are minimal.

“Atypical” pneumonia is manifested mainly by secondary symptoms.

This disease is provoked by chlamydia, legionella and similar pathogenic bacteria.

Let's take a closer look at individual forms of pneumonia.

Croupous pneumonia of the lungs

Disease of preschoolers and schoolchildren. It is anaphylactic in nature.

The inflammatory reaction is accompanied by fibrinoid swelling of the connective tissue and a violent vascular response.

Easier than adults. And their prognosis is more favorable.

Doctors associate this with greater endurance of the cardiovascular system and the peculiarities of the blood supply to the lungs in childhood.

Lobar pneumonia is characterized by an acute onset and a cyclic course. Duration – from two days to two weeks.

Symptoms of lobar pneumonia:

• Sudden onset. The incubation period is 12-24 hours. The person feels slightly unwell. And after a couple of hours the temperature can jump to critical numbers.
• Severe initial intoxication. Headache, vomiting, nausea.
• Vague complaints. Small children indicate abdominal pain localized to the right. Adolescents and adults – for pain behind the sternum, radiating to the back, shoulder and hypochondrium.
• On auscultation there is a typical pleural friction noise. Breathing is shallow and frequent. The affected side “works” in a gentle mode.
• The cough is dry at first. Then “rusty” sputum is separated.
• On external examination, redness of the cheeks is noted. Rarely - cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, herpetic rashes.
• In adults, tachycardia and systolic murmur at the apex are noted. During the critical period, collapse may develop. The patient becomes pale and covered in cold sweat. The pulse weakens, the pressure drops.
• Symptoms from the outside nervous system– overexcitement, insomnia, headache.

The clinical picture of lobar pneumonia is easily confused with symptoms acute appendicitis or exacerbation of gastritis.

The infection is most often localized in the lower lobes of the right or left lung. Therefore, the pain radiates to the stomach.

Treatment of lobar form:

1. General events. The appropriate mode is assumed. Lobar pneumonia is usually treated at home. Therefore, bedding, plenty of fluids, vitamin support, and sufficient aeration of the room are mandatory.
2. Taking antibiotics and sulfonamides. By using modern drugs The temperature normalizes already on the 3-4th day of illness. Not required in all cases antibacterial agents. Sulfonamides alone are enough to improve general condition. If they are ineffective, antibiotics are added.
3. Symptomatic treatment involves taking bronchodilators and expectorants (Eufillin, Bromhexine, Libexin, etc.).
4. In case of severe intoxication, it is prescribed intravenous administration hemodesis. To prevent hypotension - cordiamine solution (20%).
5. After the elimination of fever and intoxication, the therapeutic complex includes massage, therapeutic exercises, UHF, electrophoresis with calcium chloride.

Localized pneumonia of the lungs

A typical and easily diagnosed form.

Has pronounced symptoms:

• Localized pneumonia begins in different ways. Or the temperature gradually rises. Or the onset of the disease manifests itself more violently (as in the croupous form).
• Pronounced shortness of breath. Has the character of sharply rapid breathing. At the same time, the rhythm is not greatly disturbed.
• Frequent cough. At first there was a loud noise. Gradually becomes moist, with sputum.
• Changes only in the lungs. The cardiovascular system and digestive tract, as a rule, are not affected. The functionality of the organs is preserved.
• Less commonly, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. Blue discoloration is noticeable when moving the lips and mouth.
• Possible vegetative symptoms - constipation, diarrhea, red dermographism.
• When listening, there is harshness of breathing, gradually taking on a bronchial hue. The wheezing in the area of ​​dullness is loud and crackling.
• The images show both hilar localization and damage in the posterior-inferior areas of the lungs.

Localized pneumonia is characterized by a short period of fever.

The forecasts are always good. Clinical recovery occurs even before the anatomical process is eliminated.

This type of pneumonia is more common. And what smaller child, the faster the disease passes.

Modern treatment does not allow the pathological process to develop to its full potential.

The patient's condition improves significantly within 2-3 days after the start of therapy. Localized pneumonia is treated mainly with sulfonamides.

Toxic pneumonia

Characteristic symptoms:

• A reaction from different parts of the nervous system, which disrupts the function of individual organs. The entire body reacts to the penetration of an infectious agent. Sometimes even pulmonary symptoms recede into the background – signs of dysfunction of other systems become more pronounced.
• The onset may be gradual or violent. In the second case, severe toxicosis occurs.
• The skin is pale. Cyanosis of the lips and nose is clearly visible.
• The patient suffers from cough and shortness of breath.
• The patient becomes irritable and restless. Or, on the contrary, falls into a depressive state.
• Blood pressure drops quickly. At the same time, the pulse quickens and weakens.
• The liver enlarges, the tone of the capillaries changes. The muscular system becomes atonic.
• Signs of autonomic disorders are general sweating, red dermographism.

Toxic pneumonia can be small-focal, confluent and segmental.

With pneumonia of viral origin, meningoencephalitic phenomena rapidly manifest themselves.

Treatment consists of taking antibiotics, sulfonamides, and symptomatic medications.

When the acute period has passed, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage are included.

Chronic form of pulmonary pneumonia

Chronic pneumonia is formed on the basis birth defects bronchopulmonary system, systemic and hereditary diseases and conditions.

Symptoms are characterized by polymorphism:

• The disease is severe and often worsens.
• In schoolchildren and adults, the temperature may remain normal even during an exacerbation.
• Respiratory failure manifests itself in different ways, depending on the degree of organ damage.
• In some patients, the chest is deformed.

Symptoms chronic form during the period of exacerbation, it is similar to the clinic of lobar pneumonia. But there are no structural changes in the lung. Temperature reactions are not recorded. The leukocyte formula remains within normal limits.

During the calm period (between exacerbations) there are

• phenomena of latent respiratory failure that manifest themselves during physical activity;
• fatigue and shortness of breath during fast walking, climbing stairs, running;
• fluoroscopy shows fibrous cords.

The more frequent the relapses, the more active the manifestation of respiratory failure and cardiovascular disorders.

With each exacerbation of pneumonia, the intensity of the disorders increases.

Treatment is difficult - indicators improve slowly, other signs of chronic respiratory failure include:

• swelling of the face;
• cyanosis;
• “drumsticks” on the hands, etc.

All organs and systems are included in the pathological process. Complications of chronic pneumonia – cor pulmonale and pulmonary heart failure.

Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the main painful phenomena.

1. Theophylline preparations improve pulmonary ventilation and dilate the bronchi and arterioles.
2. Non-mercury diuretics eliminate swelling. For severe hypoxemia, Largactil is prescribed.
3. During the period of respiratory and cardiovascular compensation, treatment with cortisone is carried out.
4. During relatively calm periods of chronic pneumonia good effect They provide physiotherapeutic procedures, sanatorium-resort treatment, vitamin therapy, balneotherapy.

The prognosis is better in childhood.

Atypical pneumonia

Depending on the nature of the initial symptoms, separate forms of this disease are distinguished:

1. Pneumonia with an acute, violent onset. Accompanied by toxicosis, headache, critical temperature values. Fever lasts 3-4 days. Catarrhal phenomena gradually appear. Changes in the lungs are visible on photographs at the end of the febrile stage.
2. At first, the temperature rises slightly and a dry, painful cough appears. Then rhinitis is diagnosed, and rarely - catarrhal tonsillitis. Changes in the lungs are pronounced in the first days. The disease is highly treatable. Sometimes complicated by purulent pleurisy.
3. Occurs during viral influenza epidemics. Basic Clinical signs– adynamia, anemia, lesions of the lung tissue clearly visible on the photographs.

Severe is characterized by a predominance of cardiovascular failure over respiratory failure.

When selecting a treatment regimen, it is important to choose one that is effective against a specific virus.

Drug therapy is combined with physiotherapy.

It consists, first of all, in compliance healthy image life and strengthening the immune system.

The stronger the body, the fewer viruses and bacteria will be able to settle inside.

Content

Pneumonia is an infectious disease. It remains one of the most common in the world. This 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 measures. Treatment of pneumonia and prognosis for the development of the disease depend on the nature of the infection, age and general condition of the patient.

What is pneumonia and why is it dangerous?

Acute inflammation of the lungs is called pneumonia. It is caused by infections that can be transmitted different ways, affects lung tissue. It is in fifth place on the list of diseases that cause death, and medicine does not always help. The lethal outcome among adults from pneumonia is 10-33%. Nosocomial and atypical forms of the disease claim even more lives - the risk of dying increases to 50%. In older people and people with weakened immune systems, the prognosis for pneumonia is often disappointing.

Common pneumonia kills 1-3% of young patients who do not have diseases that could impair treatment. Among elderly patients, mortality is up to 40-50%. Causes of death from pneumonia:

• concomitant diseases, such as heart pathologies, existing respiratory tract diseases (such as bronchitis), diabetes mellitus, problems in the genitourinary system;
• bad habits (smoking, especially for a long time, drug addiction, alcoholism);
• poor living conditions;
• weakened immunity.

Pulmonary disease poses a particular risk to pregnant women. It itself is difficult due to dangerous pathologies. For a woman carrying a child, it is doubly dangerous - for expectant mother and fruit. On early stages the disease threatens the embryo, whose tissues and organs are not yet formed. In the last trimester, pneumonia is less dangerous for the child than for the mother. Prevention is simple: strengthening the mother's immunity.

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 occurrence of pneumonia is hypothermia, affecting the upper respiratory tract. In older people, it often turns into a pathological form. There are several symptoms of pulmonary inflammation in adults: they are divided according to the types of insidious disease. The most common type is viral, occurring in half of the cases. Other reasons:

A disease that occurs without symptoms characteristic of pneumonia is called atypical. Latent inflammation is dangerous because its treatment is taken late, when many complications appear. Pulmonary manifestations fade into the background, the patient is more concerned about general intoxication. The x-ray shows no changes in the airways. Signs:

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

Asymptomatic atypical pneumonia is caused by legionella, viruses, chlamydia, and mycoplasma, so it is treated with antimicrobial drugs. After infection, signs of the disease appear within 2 to 10 days. Changes in the pulmonary system begin later than with typical pneumonia. The temperature rises, the patient begins to choke, he lacks air. A large percentage of those sick can be cured at home, but sometimes the illness is severe. The mortality rate from this type of disease is 3-5%, the cause is cardiopulmonary failure.

Viral

This type of disease is caused by several viruses. In first place is the flu. At the beginning of the inflammatory process of the respiratory tract, provoked by the influenza virus, malaise is noticeable for a period of 3-5 days. Then the condition worsens, shortness of breath begins, and chest pain appears. Treat with rimantadine, zanamivir, oseltamivir. The viral type is also caused by cytomegalovirus.

Serious complication viral disease lungs – SARS, respiratory syndrome. It is caused by Paramyxoviridae viruses (they are also the cause of measles and mumps). The syndrome is very dangerous. Symptoms in adults are:

• Very heat accompanied by chills;
• dry cough (non-productive);
• headache and muscle pain;
• tiredness for no reason.

Bacterial

The cause of pneumonia in this case is bacteria: pneumococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus. Bacterial pulmonary inflammation begins with a sharp jump in temperature to 41 degrees. It lasts up to 3 days, and this symptom is considered a clear sign of a bacterial infection. If the temperature drops and rises, this is a viral pattern. Pneumococcal pneumonia is accompanied by the discharge of “rusty” sputum, heart contractions become more frequent (tachycardia), and breathing becomes difficult. The disease is treated with antibiotics.

Gribkova

The most dangerous variant of pulmonary inflammation is fungal. This is due to the fact that it does not manifest itself at first, and people do not know that they are sick. Diagnosed late. The onset of inflammation of the lung tissue is similar to atypical pneumonia, but as symptoms worsen, the nature of the lung damage changes and cavities form. A common causative agent of fungal pneumonia is Candida albicans, a fungus. At first, the patient experiences cold symptoms: fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. Then, when coughing, pus is released, and then the correct diagnosis is made.

The main symptoms of pneumonia in an adult

Colds and flu should not last more than 7 days, but if 4-7 days after the onset of ARVI the patient’s condition worsens, this is a signal of the onset of dangerous inflammation in the lower respiratory tract. Symptoms of pulmonary inflammation in adults include pallor and shortness of breath. If a person has a cold, they are accompanied by weakness, sweating, and loss of appetite - this is typical for intoxication at the onset of pneumonia.

Temperature

With atypical pneumonia, the body temperature is not always above 37.5. In ordinary cases, a sharp increase to 40 degrees is typical. In case of inflammation of the respiratory tract, antipyretic drugs do not work. If you cannot bring down the temperature, this is a sign of pneumonia. The temperature begins to drop as the antibiotics take effect. It is dangerous if the disease occurs without fever: patients sometimes do not take action until the condition worsens. How long the temperature lasts depends on the pathogen: fungus, bacteria or virus.

Cough

At the beginning of the disease, the cough is dry, which is called unproductive. It becomes intrusive, constant, debilitating. As inflammation develops, this symptom also changes. Sputum comes out, the color of which depends on the nature of the infection: yellow-green, purulent, “rusty.” A hacking cough that does not go away within 7-10 days is a clear sign inflammatory process in the lungs.

Voice tremors

The doctor can recognize the symptoms of the disease by assessing the patient's vocal tremors. The patient says words that contain several “r” sounds, and the doctor places his palms on his chest and determines the vocal tremor. When the disease occurs, part of the lung, or the entire lung, becomes denser. This will be noticed by the physician conducting the diagnosis by the fact that the vocal tremors intensify.

Diagnosis of the disease

If an inflammatory process in the respiratory system is suspected, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out. Sometimes, already at the initial appointment, the doctor can determine the disease by performing auscultation, that is, by listening to chest phonendoscope. But the main method of diagnosing an adult is an x-ray. The patient’s blood will be taken for general and biochemical analysis. If the patient is in a hospital, sputum culture and urine are examined, and the blood is checked for antibodies to viruses.

Types of pneumonia

Mild forms of pneumonia, detected in the initial stage, are treated at home. Remember that even this form will cause complications if not properly cared for. You must follow your doctor's recommendations:

• antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medications are used;
• drinking plenty of fluids is prescribed;
• An important component of treatment is diet: the body is poisoned with toxins, a lighter diet and more fluids are required.

How to treat inflammation of the respiratory tract, how long the process will last, depends on the severity and type of the disease. The infection sometimes remains in the organ tissue for years, leading to chronic illness. Fibers and connective tissues, they put pressure on the pulmonary vesicles, which leads to hardening of the lungs and pneumosclerosis. The patient feels discomfort and coughs constantly. This is a sluggish, protracted disease that gradually leads to complications.

Ordinary pneumonia is divided into mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe according to the degree of severity, which determines how the disease progresses. To heavy acute forms Pleuropneumonia refers to when one or more lobes of the lung are inflamed. Pneumonia occurs by location:

• focal(concentrated at the site of inflammation);
• segmental or polysegmental, depending on whether it is located in one or several segments;
• shared– does not go beyond one share;
• total– covers the entire lung.

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-handed– occurs more often, the right bronchus is wider than the left and shorter, the infection penetrates there more freely.
2. Left-handed– develops less frequently, with stagnant processes in the lung observed.

Bilateral covers both lungs: the entire lung tissue becomes inflamed, and the disease is provoked by bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae). Against the background of one infection, other harmful microorganisms additionally multiply, and a mixed infection develops. Several pathogens enter the fight against a person, select antibacterial drugs difficult to treat.

Basal

The focus of inflammation located along the root of the lung is difficult to diagnose. Such cases are called hilar pneumonia. Used for diagnosis computed tomography. The doctor must rule out tuberculosis and lung cancer; the focus of inflammation looks like a tumor in the picture. Tuberculin tests are performed. If medications against tuberculosis are mistakenly prescribed, but they do not have an effect, this is considered a diagnostic sign.

Bronchopneumonia

Bronchial pneumonia is characterized by damage to small branches bronchial tree sick. Bronchopneumonia is classified as focal. The healing process will take a lot of time. Sometimes the disease is secondary, developing against the background of bronchitis. A person tries to cure bronchitis, but it drags on, the condition worsens, weakness appears, and the temperature rises. The cough that accompanies bronchitis intensifies, unpleasant purulent sputum is released, sometimes streaked with blood.

Important symptoms: shortness of breath, increased heart rate up to 110 beats per minute,. Not only bronchitis, but also ARVI leads to the development of bronchopneumonia. This type of pulmonary inflammation is often caused by viruses and bacteria; in order to treat the disease correctly, the causative agent is identified and prescribed antiviral drugs or antibacterial. How long 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 severe form of the disease - hospital-acquired, or nosocomial. The diagnosis is made when inflammation appears two days or more after a person is admitted to a hospital hospital with a completely different diagnosis. This is the most merciless species, killing 50% of patients. Disease is caused by microorganisms. Types of nosocomial pulmonary inflammation:

• associated with artificial ventilation;
• postoperative;
• intrahospital - in hospitalized patients in serious condition.

The patients’ immunity was weakened, the body was fighting another disease, and was not ready for the invasion of new microbes. To save the situation, patients are given IVs and intravenous nutrition is used to maintain vitality body, use new generation drugs, potent drugs. It is not always possible to cure hospital-acquired pneumonia. Treatment of the disease at home in this case is excluded.

Share

Lobar pneumonia affects the lobes of the lung and pleura. With this type of disease, it is important to prescribe antibiotic injections in a timely manner, the duration of which is determined by the doctor. Physiotherapy and detoxification are used. The disease begins suddenly and acutely. There are three forms:

• upper lobe– has a severe course, with neurological disorders;
• lower lobe– gives a pseudo-picture “ acute abdomen“, which is confusing during diagnosis, characterized by chills and “rusty” sputum;
• central– inflammation develops deep in the lung, the symptoms are mild and difficult to determine.

Krupoznaya

It is acute. The nature of the lung damage is bilateral. If the pathology is not recognized and treatment is not started quickly, the patient will die from brain hypoxia and cardiovascular failure. The first day the patient has a dry cough. The next day, rust-colored sputum comes out and vomiting occurs. On the third day it gets worse, shortness of breath appears, and tachycardia develops. The patient is unable to climb one floor. Lobar pneumonia is treated in pulmonology, in hospital or intensive care. The patient's pulmonary lobes are completely affected on both sides.

Video

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