A terrible disease: pneumonia. What is pneumonia and is it so scary? Possible complications of pneumonia

Pneumonia or pneumonia is an acute infectious disease. Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. There are also types such as aspiration pneumonia or paracancrosis pneumonia, which develops around the focus of a cancerous tumor in the lung tissue. At the first signs of pneumonia, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Inflammatory process in the lungs is a disease that can cause significant harm to health. Before the invention of antibiotics, the mortality rate from pneumonia reached 80%. At the moment, in various regions, mortality rates due to the development of pneumonia range from 5 to 40%, and mainly older people suffer.

With timely diagnosis and therapy, the uncomplicated form of the disease can be cured in 10-14 days. Modern medicines help to avoid severe complications and cure almost any form of pneumonia without consequences. However, it must be remembered that for effective treatment and successful prevention of complications, the treatment of this disease should be carried out by a specialist.

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What is pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory process localized in the lung tissues. In most cases, the causative agent is an infectious agent. The ways in which infection enters the body are different, most often through airborne droplets, less often through spread through the bloodstream.

Some of the microorganisms responsible for the development of pneumonia are constantly present in the human body. With the proper level of immune defense, the body successfully copes with such infections; when the level of protective forces decreases (hypothermia, primary disease), an inflammatory process develops in the lungs.

The most common etiology of pneumonia involves diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In this case, against the background of symptoms of a cold, tracheitis, acute, chronic, or other source of infection in the respiratory system, an inflammatory process develops in the lungs. The occurrence of the disease can also be a consequence of a previous illness of other organs and systems, a complication after surgery, or other situations that negatively affect the immune system.

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults and children

The symptoms of the disease depend on the causes that caused it, the age of the patient, and his state of health. The disease is acute or develops in an erased form, may have classic symptoms or be asymptomatic, atypical pneumonia. The most severe course of the disease with severe pulmonary complications is observed in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems and children with their imperfect immune systems.

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Clinical picture of pneumonia: symptoms in adults

The most common triggering factor for the inflammatory process in the lungs in the adult population is hypothermia. TO characteristic symptoms pneumonia in such cases includes the following manifestations, which occur sequentially:

• suddenly developing body hyperthermia, a sharp rise in temperature to febrile levels;
• symptoms of body intoxication (fatigue, weakness,);
• on days 3-5 it appears, turning into wet, with sputum;
• pain in the chest due to damage to the lung tissue (with bilateral pneumonia on both sides) when coughing and breathing. Sometimes wheezing can be clearly heard;
• the appearance of shortness of breath as a consequence of extensive lung damage and the onset of respiratory failure.

The picture of the disease may not correspond to the classical pattern of disease development. Clinical manifestations and severity of the disease largely depend on the type of causative agent of the inflammatory process. Thus, among atypical pathogens, H1N1 is known, the infectious agent of “swine flu”, which causes severe complication in the form of viral bilateral pneumonia, accompanied by significant damage to the lung tissue with extensive foci of inflammation, acute respiratory failure.

With a high frequency, pneumonia develops against the background of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, accompanied by flu-like symptoms. The risk of pneumonia and other complications increases significantly with self-treatment, most often consisting of taking antipyretic drugs. This contributes to the spread of infection down the respiratory tract and the formation of infectious foci in the lungs. Thus, the prevention of pneumonia in infectious diseases is a full course of treatment and timely diagnosis.

Symptoms of pneumonia in children

The incidence rate in children correlates with age: children under three years old get sick 2-3 times more often (1.5-2 cases per 100 people) than children older than 3. Infants suffer from pneumonia more often due to aspiration of gastric contents during regurgitation, ingestion of foreign objects. bodies in the respiratory tract, birth injuries, developmental defects.
Symptoms of pneumonia in childhood also vary depending on the age period, etiology and spread of the inflammatory process.
At the age of up to one year, the following signs are distinguished:

• drowsiness, lethargy, general malaise, lack of appetite;
• irritability, frequent crying for no reason;
• hyperthermia, often in the low-grade range;
• increased breathing rhythm;
• with a unilateral process - signs of insufficient filling of one of the lungs, lag of half of the chest during respiratory movements;
• symptoms of respiratory failure - cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, fingertips, especially during crying, feeding, increased arousal.

In older children with pneumonia, the symptoms are similar to the manifestations of pneumonia in adults: fever, weakness, drowsiness, increased sweating, decreased appetite, loss of interest in favorite activities, severe general malaise, possible development of respiratory failure if large areas of the lungs are involved in the inflammatory process or individual characteristics of the child.

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Classification of pneumonia

The classification of forms of pneumonia, as a well-studied disease, is based on several factors, which makes it possible to more accurately diagnose and more effectively treat pneumonia in patients.

Classification by condition of occurrence

There are community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial, hospital-acquired pneumonia. Nosocomial is considered to be a form that develops in a hospital or clinic 48 hours after the patient’s hospitalization for other indications. This type of pneumonia is distinguished due to the characteristics of its course and treatment, since in hospitals and hospitals, strains of infectious pathogens that are resistant to antibacterial therapy often develop.

An aspiration form that develops as a result of the contents of the oral cavity, nasopharynx or stomach entering the lower respiratory tract, as well as in the form solids. Bacterial pathogens found in aspiration masses or objects develop and cause a severe type of inflammation with purulent complications: the production of purulent sputum, difficulty in its transportation and significant damage to lung tissue.

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Classification according to the volume of lung damage

Depending on the prevalence of the inflammatory process and the volume of lung tissue involved, several types of the disease are distinguished.

Symptoms of focal pneumonia

The focal form is characterized by a clear localization of the inflammatory process. Most often, this variety develops as a complication of a viral disease. There is a dry cough with a transition to a wet form, high body temperature, pain when coughing, and the presence of sputum with purulent inclusions.

Unilateral form of the disease

The process affects only the right or only the left lung, and can spread to a small segment or involve all lobes of the organ. Symptoms depend on the extent of the lesion, the pathogen, and the general condition of the patient; they can be pronounced or asymptomatic.

Bilateral pneumonia

Localization of foci of inflammation is noted in both the right and left lungs. In this case, the inflammatory process can be segmental, lobar, or completely involve the entire organ. The main difference is that both sides of the lung are affected, regardless of the volume of the lesion.

Lobar pneumonia

In this form, pneumonia is characterized by one of the most pronounced clinical pictures. The distinctive external symptoms of the croupous form are a sharp increase in body temperature to the limit (40°C and above), severe pain, and a characteristic yellow-orange tint of sputum.
The causative agent of lobar pneumonia is most often pneumococci, and timely administration of antibacterial drugs (penicillin antibiotics are most often prescribed) brings recovery in both lobar and other forms of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Lobar pneumonia

The lung is an organ consisting of conventional lobes: there are three in the right lung, two in the left. If one lobe of the organ is affected, then this is a lobar form; localization in two lobes means a bilobar form, unilateral or bilateral. When two lobes of the left lung are affected, they speak of total pneumonia, and two lobes of the right lung - a subtotal form.
Types of inflammation characterize the extent of the process and the severity of tissue damage. The more segments and lobes are involved, the more severe the symptoms of the disease.

Classification of pneumonia due to disease

Diagnosis of the disease based on the causative agent largely dictates the methods of therapy and the choice of medications. Depending on the causes and type of infectious agent, several types of disease are distinguished

Pneumonia of viral etiology

Infectious inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses can be a complication of influenza, parainfluenza or ARVI (adenoviral form) or have a primary etiology. Due to the imperfection of diagnostic methods, it is not always possible to identify which virus is responsible for the occurrence of the disease, so treatment is most often carried out using broad-spectrum antiviral drugs and is symptomatic.
If antibacterial agents are prescribed for a viral form, this means that there are symptoms or the likelihood of a bacterial infection.

Bacterial infections in the etiology of pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most common types of pneumonia. There are several groups of bacteria that can cause inflammatory processes in the lower respiratory tract. Among them, the most common causative agents of pneumonia are pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, mycoplasma, chlamydia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and others.
Provided the pathogen is correctly identified and selected effective drug the bacterial form can be successfully treated with antibiotics. However, it is important to remember the need to select therapy based on the sensitivity of the bacteria to drugs of a particular group.

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Features of staphylococcal pneumonia

The staphylococcal form is most often a complication after ARVI. The disease is characterized by symptoms of significant intoxication of the body, scarlet color of sputum, weakness, and dizziness.

Causative agent of mycoplasma pneumonia

The mycoplasma form of pneumonia develops when special bacteria, mycoplasma, enter the lung tissue. Children and adolescents are most often affected by this form of the disease.
The disease is not characterized by severe symptoms, which makes diagnosis difficult, and is treated successfully, although the treatment process itself is quite lengthy due to the characteristics of mycoplasma as a pathogen.

Chlamydial infection in the etiology of pneumonia

The cause of the development of chlamydial pneumonia is the entry into the respiratory tract and lungs of chlamydia, bacteria that normally cause bacterial chlamydia of the vagina. The most common route of infection is from mother to child when passing through the birth canal, if prenatal sanitation of the vagina has not been performed and there is a harmful flora containing chlamydia.
This type is more common among children, especially infants, and adolescents, and in initial stage has a mild clinical picture, similar to acute respiratory infections. Therapy for this form of the disease is selected individually, taking into account the age and characteristics of the patient.
Together with mycoplasma infections, these two forms fall under the category of atypical pneumonia, also characterized by damage to the alveoli and interstitial tissues. The nature of interstitial pneumonia is most often protracted, with transition to chronic form.

Fungal infections

Various can also cause inflammation in the lungs. However, making a diagnosis requires a thorough examination, since clinical picture is not expressed, the symptoms for a long time can be quite “blurred” and do not correspond to the classic manifestations of a disease of bacterial etiology. Treatment is long-term, with the use of antimycotic drugs.

Any types and stages of pneumonia are considered a serious disease, dangerous complications and negatively affecting the body as a whole. A course of correctly selected therapy allows patients to be cured with high efficiency, provided that they apply for diagnostics in a timely manner and follow the specialist’s prescriptions.

You should exclude strong tea and coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fast food, fried and spicy foods, and fatty foods from your diet. This is important for maintaining immunity at a high level, so that the body does not fight what you are trying to put into it, but takes from food everything useful that it requires from nature.

How can pneumonia be dangerous?

Pneumonia (pneumonia) is a disease that affects people of any age. Not everyone knows about the dangers of pneumonia. Although many will name the symptoms of the disease, they will say that it can be treated with antibiotics, and after the disease the body will take a long time to recover.

To be convinced of the danger of pneumonia, you must first understand what it is.

What is pneumonia?

This disease is caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses. Normally, every person has pathogenic microorganisms living on the mucous membrane of the pharynx, nose, and lungs. But as soon as the body’s immunity decreases, pathogenic microbes begin to multiply at tremendous speed, causing pneumonia. Inflammation can begin directly in the lungs or get there gradually, starting its “journey” from the throat or nose. In such cases, doctors explain that “the infection has gone down.”

The whole lung or part of it can become inflamed.

Symptoms of this disease are as follows: pain in the side, worsening with a deep breath or cough, very high body temperature, dry or wet cough, shortness of breath, chills. To make a correct diagnosis, you will need an X-ray examination of the lungs, blood and sputum tests. These studies will help to establish the nature of the disease and begin adequate therapy.

When treating pneumonia, doctors usually prescribe antibacterial drugs. Depending on the severity of the disease, the patient may be admitted to a hospital, where he is given injections several times a day. With the right antibiotic, the patient’s condition improves within 5-6 days from the start of treatment. If there is no improvement, doctors usually prescribe the patient another drug. Next, it is important to liquefy and remove the formed phlegm from the lungs. For this purpose, the patient may be prescribed inhalations and massage. In parallel, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. Full recovery usually occurs after 3-4 weeks.

Pneumonia is a very serious disease, from which, despite a wide range of modern antibiotics, people continue to die. We can't even talk about self-medication. This is fraught with serious consequences.

The danger of pneumonia for children

For a child’s body, pneumonia is a very serious test, even if the child received it on time. medical assistance. Children are most often affected by the disease preschool age. Doctors believe that by the age of 6 years, a child’s immunity develops. During this period, they are very vulnerable to various types of infections, including streptococcal infections, which in most cases causes pneumonia in babies.

In addition to the above symptoms of pneumonia, children often experience blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle (cyanosis). This is a very serious indicator, indicating that against the background of the disease, not everything is in order with the child’s cardiovascular system.

The danger of pneumonia also lies in the fact that during the disease the lungs cannot continue to function fully: the baby’s breathing becomes shallow, and he has a feeling of lack of air. Therefore, sick children sleep very poorly, eat very poorly, and show constant anxiety.

The following factors aggravate the situation:

1. Late seeking of medical help.
2. The presence of concomitant chronic diseases in the baby.
3. Incorrect treatment of a child.

Each of these factors increases the risk of illness for a child several times. At the initial stage, the disease is very similar to a common viral infection, so doctors do not prescribe antibiotics right away. If antiviral treatment does not have an effect within 3 days (the high temperature continues and the cough does not stop), this is a reason to contact the doctor again. This picture of the disease means its bacterial nature. At this stage, taking antibiotics is mandatory. Not all mothers know this. Many continue to treat the child according to the original regimen prescribed by the doctor, wasting precious time. Within a few days, the child may develop acute respiratory failure, sometimes resulting in death. This is the danger of pneumonia.

One more thing dangerous consequence untreated pneumonia in children - neurotoxicosis. It is characterized first by the child’s increased activity, agitation, frequent crying, and whims. This state gradually gives way to the opposite: the child is apathetic, does not eat, is drowsy, and muscle tone is reduced. At the third stage, the temperature rises, the child develops convulsions, and pulmonary failure develops (even to the point of respiratory arrest).

To reduce the risk of your baby developing pneumonia, a mother just needs to follow a few simple rules:

1. Try to breastfeed your baby until at least 1 year of age.
2. Do not refuse to vaccinate your baby.
3. Provide your child's diet with foods rich in zinc.
4. Temper your child and spend a lot of time walking in the fresh air.
5. Observe basic rules of home hygiene: ventilate the premises more often and carry out wet cleaning.

Consequences of pneumonia in adults

Pneumonia is no less dangerous for adults. The most common consequences:

1. Lung abscess.
2. Lung fibrosis.
3. Bronchial asthma.
4. Heart failure.
5. Respiratory failure.

The first two diseases are especially dangerous.

A lung abscess is decomposition (rotting) of the lung tissue in the part where there was inflammation. There can be only one source. Sometimes there are several of them. During the formation of an abscess, the patient develops a high temperature, weakness, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, and cough. At the next stage, the formed abscess is opened, sputum in large quantities (up to 1 liter per day) comes out through the respiratory tract. At proper treatment Over the course of several years, the lung tissue becomes scarred and complete recovery occurs.

Lung fibrosis is a patient’s condition in which lung tissue begins to form in place of damaged lung tissue. connective tissue. The lungs cannot work at full capacity, breathing becomes difficult, and chest pain appears. The disease progresses very quickly, and therefore requires immediate attention to a medical facility. It is impossible to completely get rid of pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing further development illness. In extreme cases, the patient is indicated for a lung transplant.

How to avoid the negative consequences of pneumonia?

The mortality rate from pneumonia in our country, despite the sufficient level of medical development, remains quite high.

To recover quickly and avoid negative consequences, you need to be very attentive to your health.

In Russia, it is customary to go to the doctor when there are already very serious problems. This is wrong. In the case of pneumonia, this can be fatal. You should seek medical help as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear and the temperature is not yet so high. You should not neglect the tests prescribed by the doctor. Their results will help the doctor immediately create an effective treatment plan.

A mother, caring for the health of her baby, should know that at the slightest suspicion of any disease, she should show the child to the doctor. Statistics show that the highest childhood mortality from pneumonia occurs among children under the age of 1 year. In the case of childhood pneumonia, hospitalization should not be neglected.

Both adults and children can protect themselves from pneumonia through physical exercise, proper nutrition rich in vitamins and microelements, hardening, frequent exposure to fresh air and close attention to their health.

Why is pneumonia so dangerous and why it needs to be treated promptly?

The consequences of pneumonia in adults are a rather severe pathological condition that threatens human life. The situation is aggravated if we are talking about a bilateral form of the disease. This is an acute infectious process, which is provoked by pathogenic flora. These microorganisms begin to attack the alveoli of the lungs, spreading throughout the body through the blood or organs respiratory system. As a result, the inflammatory process begins to progress. In this case, normal gas exchange is disrupted. The disease can be bacterial, viral or fungal in nature.

How dangerous is pneumonia? Precisely by its complications. At the same time, a person develops very serious problems that even threaten his life. According to statistics, the main cause of death in infants in the first year of life is the consequences of pneumonia. Many microorganisms develop resistance to antibacterial agents prescribed to them by doctors. Today humanity is accustomed to living under great stress. Due to systematic stress and dietary errors, their immune system begins to suffer.

The consequences of pneumonia in children can be very serious. Along with this, elderly people often develop bilateral lung damage.

What secondary diseases can appear as a result of pneumonia?

When a person gets pneumonia, everything possible should be done to prevent the pulmonary complications of pneumonia. In the latter case, the development of secondary inflammatory processes is characteristic. The prognosis of the disease will depend entirely on the stage of these disorders. Treatment tactics also depend on this. With secondary damage to lung tissue, serious changes in health occur.

The consequences of pneumonia in adults are a fairly common occurrence, accompanied by the intensity of clinical manifestations of the respiratory system. These disorders, as a rule, are much more severe and serious than the main ailment. Pathologies characterized by similar phenomena are prescribed similar treatment tactics.

What are the consequences of pneumonia?

The pathogenic causes of the occurrence of unforeseen pathological situations are:

• incorrectly selected therapeutic tactics;
• insufficient drainage efficiency, despite timely treatment. The formation of purulent formations, which prevents the body from recovering;
• significant damage by pathogenic microflora and infection by their waste products. When toxic microbes are destroyed, they begin to form biologically. active substances, literally poisoning the body from the inside. As a result, powerful intoxication of the body appears.

According to statistics, about fifty percent of patients diagnosed with pneumonia suffer from serious residual effects. The reasons for this remain a mystery. However, the most popular is the bacterial infection that develops after ARVI or influenza.

Concomitant factors for the development of pneumonia itself are:

• regular stress and emotional stress that exhaust the body;
• poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and useful substances in the diet;
• weakened immune system;
• regular colds;
• endocrine disorders;
• taking pharmaceuticals that affect immune suppression;
• surgical interventions;
• advanced age;
• bad habits.

When a child gets sick, there is a weak immune system, congenital anomalies, and prematurity.

What are the most popular pulmonary consequences?

Against the backdrop of serious consequences of pneumonia, the following complications may occur:

• abscess and gangrene, which are characterized by the appearance of an abscess. This phenomenon occurs against the background of an acutely increasing inflammatory process, in which tissue necrosis occurs;
• against the background of acute respiratory failure, the mechanism of air delivery from the outside is disrupted. The body ceases to perform the functions of full saturation. In this case, a decrease in intracranial pressure is observed;
• pulmonary atelectasis. As a rule, it occurs against the background of blockage of the lumen of the respiratory system organs and disruption of their patency. In this case, compression of the lung walls occurs, and air begins to escape from the affected area. The organ responsible for air respiration is excluded from gas exchange;
• serious pulmonary complications of pneumonia - bronchiectasis, when thick mucus begins to clog the bronchi. In this case, pathological deformation is observed. The patient complains of a systematic cough with mucus;
• with inflammation of the serous membrane, pleurisy is diagnosed. At the same time, a special substance called fibrin begins to be deposited.

Complications of extrapulmonary pneumonia

Complications after pneumonia of an extrapulmonary nature are as follows:

• cor pulmonale is often diagnosed in adults. Worried about severe shortness of breath and pain in the chest area;
• The disease is terrible and dangerous because it can result in toxic shock;
• anemia, which manifests itself as weakness, exhaustion;
• meningitis often occurs in childhood and poses a serious threat to a person;
• with meningoencephalitis, damage to brain tissue occurs;
• a phenomenon such as glomerulonephritis is often diagnosed, which is typical for a bilateral form of renal disease;
• myocarditis is characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process in the heart muscle. It makes itself felt by rapid heartbeat, swelling of veins, swelling in the legs;
• Perhaps one of the most serious and life-threatening is blood poisoning, in which damage spreads to all organs. Such a phenomenon without timely qualified medical care can be fatal.

If a person develops severe clinical symptoms indicating the development of serious complications, it is necessary to urgently undergo a course of treatment with antibacterial drugs.

Cardiac danger in children and adults

Events involving cardiovascular disorders are closely associated with a high level of mortality. The situation in which the lining of the heart becomes infected is very common and is more often observed in people suffering from sepsis and patients with chronic diseases.

Infectious endocarditis can occur as a result of exposure to staphylococcal infection, after pneumonia, in children.

In adults, the chances of developing this disease increase if the patient takes drugs and has degenerative disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Unaffected endothelium weakly perceives the attachment of bacteria. Affected and exposed tissue is a powerful indicator for the formation of thrombosis, and creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

Children with cardiovascular pathologies, under the influence of increased reactivity of the blood stream, can seriously damage the endothelium. Fibrin and other substances are deposited, contributing to the development of the pathological process.

Therapeutic tactics in children and adults are the same. A course of antibiotic treatment is required. It can take up to eight weeks.

An advanced form of pneumonia contributes to the appearance of problems with the respiratory system. In this case, the patient experiences a serious lack of air, which can be compensated by using a special ventilator in home therapy.

Pleurisy

Many doctors associate the consequences of pneumonia in adults with such a serious phenomenon as pleurisy. It is an inflammation of the pleura that spreads to two thin balls located in the area between the sternum and the lungs. This phenomenon is typical for both children and adult patients. In very rare cases, contents called exudate may collect in this area. This disease affects about half of the patients hospitalized in the hospital.

This content puts pressure on the organs of the respiratory system, complicating respiratory function. Typically, the body fights pleural effusion as the disease is treated.

In most cases, the contents are affected by bacterial flora. This causes the accumulation of purulent infection. The affected mass is removed using a small needle. In the most serious situations, surgery is necessary to remove the purulent contents.

Abscess

The consequences of pneumonia, expressed as an abscess, make themselves felt quite rarely. As a rule, this disease affects people with chronic diseases, suffering from alcohol addiction. In this case, cavities with purulent contents form in the organs of the respiratory system.

Clinical signs in patients with abscesses are as follows:

• foul odor of mucus;
• swelling of the fingers and toes.

A similar complication after pneumonia requires intravenous administration of antibacterial agents at the beginning of treatment. After this, patients need to take medications for at least another six weeks. It is very important to complete all treatment tactics, even if the person feels much better, in order to avoid secondary infection.

Blood poisoning

What is dangerous about pneumonia is the likelihood of developing blood poisoning. When this situation occurs, it is truly scary and terrible. This introduces bacteria into the bloodstream. These toxic substances accumulate in the blood, which in turn leads to an inflammatory process.

Clinical manifestations are as follows:

• high fever and fever;
• rapid heart rate, tachycardia;
• low blood pressure, causing dizziness;
• mental disorders;
• paleness and moisture of the skin;
• fainting.

The pathological process during sepsis can spread to other organs, causing serious problems in the body. Therapeutic tactics involve the timely administration of high concentrations of antibiotics.

How to prevent the development of threatening consequences

To prevent complications from pneumonia, it is necessary to undergo a preventive flu vaccination every year. The drug consists of different strains of bacteria, which are predicted to be relevant next year. A completely safe medicine will help the patient protect himself from the disease.

Special prophylactic agents have been created that are a real panacea for a weak immune system.

To avoid serious consequences, you should consult a doctor if you have symptoms of a cold or a persistent, lingering cough. A disease diagnosed in time is much easier to treat than in an advanced stage.

The principles must be followed healthy image life with the complete exclusion of smoking and drinking alcohol, engaging in physical activity, getting proper rest, and eating exclusively healthy foods.

One of the most effective preventive treatment measures is infection control. This helps prevent any infection from occurring. As a rule, such approaches are implemented in medical clinics, but certain rules will be beneficial: regular hand washing, thorough treatment with disinfectants.

In general, if therapeutic measures are provided in a timely manner, most people recover, but there are sad cases of mortality. If we talk about statistical data, this is approximately ten percent of people admitted to the hospital.

Terrible typical pneumonia

Doctors say that pneumonia has “three faces.” The most severe and dangerous form of the disease is acute pneumonia, or lobar pneumonia. The disease begins suddenly. First, the patient suffers from severe chills that are impossible to cope with; after a few hours, the temperature jumps to 40 degrees. With unilateral inflammation, when one lung is affected, the side hurts dully; with bilateral inflammation, the pain covers the chest and back in the area of ​​the shoulder blades. Any physical activity, even minimal, causes rapid, heavy breathing, the patient is tormented by a prolonged dry cough that does not stop for half an hour or longer. Sometimes this causes blood vessels in the lungs to burst, and the sick person “coughs up blood.” The temperature lasts for about two weeks, after which it drops sharply - a crisis ensues. If a person has high immunity, then the disease can go away on its own. But in most cases the body gives up: pneumococci infect cardiovascular system, due to poor functioning of inflamed lungs, the brain does not receive enough oxygen. And then, if medical assistance is not provided in time, death is possible.

Sluggish (more correctly, focal) pneumonia occurs more easily. The temperature is not so high - no more than 38 degrees, but it lasts from 3-4 days to a week or more. The patient feels lethargic, slightly chills, has a headache, and has no appetite. Focal pneumonia does not directly threaten the life of the patient. It develops as a complication after acute respiratory infections, colds, bronchitis, and flu.

A very unpleasant form of pneumonia is prolonged or chronic pneumonia, which is a consequence of premature cessation of treatment for acute forms. The disease can last for years, then dying out, then flaring up again. It is dangerous because the inflammatory process in the lungs does not stop, which is why emphysema, pneumosclerosis develops, and scars form on the lung tissue. This disrupts the normal supply of oxygen to the organs.

There may be several reasons leading to pneumonia. Experts say the main culprit of pneumonia is severe, prolonged hypothermia. However, dust, stuffiness, and dry air can also provoke the disease, since pneumonia develops due to a violation of the properties of sputum (the so-called mucus that is constantly secreted by the bronchial mucosa). The importance of sputum is extremely great: it envelops dust particles that enter the lungs, and it contains substances that maintain the elasticity of the lung tissue. When thick mucus disrupts the ventilation of the lungs, blood circulation is disrupted in poorly ventilated areas, microbes settle, and, as a result, the inflammatory process begins. Therefore, those who lead a passive lifestyle, rarely walk, do not engage in physical work, and smoke a lot are often susceptible to pneumonia - all this leads to insufficient ventilation of the lungs and, consequently, to their weakening. And, of course, those at risk include those who suffer chronic diseases respiratory organs - bronchitis, tonsillitis, asthma - since all these ailments disrupt the normal functioning of the lungs.

Croupous inflammation must be treated in a hospital, but focal pneumonia can be dealt with at home. In any case, treatment should be started as quickly as possible to prevent the disease from becoming protracted or chronic. Cold compresses, which must be changed every half hour, help reduce the temperature in acute pneumonia. For focal and prolonged pneumonia, warming is very useful, especially “mustard physiotherapy”: woolen socks with mustard sprinkled on it, mustard plasters on the upper chest and back. For any form of pneumonia, you need to drink more: fruit drinks, jelly, juices. And the best thing that helps is tea with honey and various honey-based decoctions; they lower body temperature and strengthen the immune system. Food for pneumonia should be rich in vitamins, as this also helps strengthen the immune system. It is very useful to drink 1-2 tablespoons of fish oil before lunch and often eat fatty sea fish (cod, halibut, mackerel), as well as foods rich in vitamin A: spinach, green onions, leeks, liver. Be sure to eat garlic - it strengthens the immune system and perfectly fights inflammatory processes in the body. However, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cope with pneumonia without medication. Remember that you need to take medications strictly following your doctor's recommendations.

In no case should you take a steam bath with pneumonia, especially with lobar pneumonia: the heart may not withstand the temperature shock. The opinion that a disease with “n” O volume comes out” is without foundation.

Pneumonia is the most terrible disease of our time

In Russia, about 5 million people get pneumonia every year, and 40% of this number die. Pneumonia is often the final illness of people who have other serious, chronic diseases. It is the sixth deadliest disease in the world and the most common fatal infection that lands people in hospital.

In developing countries, pneumonia is either the leading or second leading cause of death after dehydration due to severe diarrhea.

Reasons

Pneumonia is not a disease caused by a single virus or bacteria. This is a set of negative effects on the body, each of which is caused by different microorganisms. Pneumonia usually occurs due to fungi, bacteria and viruses entering the body through breathing.

In this case, the infection first enters the nasopharynx and then descends into the lungs. At the same time, pathogens are carried through the bloodstream throughout the body, infecting body tissues.

In adults, the most common cause is bacteria, such as:

The latter, in addition to pneumonia, also cause:

Some people are more susceptible to pneumonia than others. Alcoholism, smoking, diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease all significantly increase the risk of developing pneumonia.

The very young and very old people are also the most at-risk population groups. According to statistics, death occurs in 14% of adolescents and 40% of old people. In addition, a person whose immune system is weakened by drugs (such as those used to treat cancer or to prevent organ transplant rejection) is also at increased risk.

Equally at risk are patients with weakened immune systems and people who are bedridden, paralyzed or unconscious (in a coma), or with diseases that severely damage the immune system, such as AIDS.

Pneumonia can result from surgery, particularly in the abdomen or chest. After such operations, shallow breathing and an inability to cough and expectorate mucus occur. One more common reason these are viruses of Staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, or their combinations.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:

These symptoms may vary depending on the extent of the disease and the general condition of the patient. They are deceptively similar to manifestations of acute bronchitis. In case of pneumonia, the doctor listens to the chest with a stethoscope to assess the situation. Pneumonia causes changes in the sounds your lungs make when you breathe. They can be heard with the help of a stethoscope.

In most cases, the diagnosis of pneumonia is confirmed by a chest x-ray, which helps determine which microorganism is causing the disease.

The patient's sputum and blood samples are also tested in an attempt to discover the germ that is causing the disease. However, despite modern methods diagnostics, in real half of patients, pneumonia cannot be detected in time.

Pneumococcal pneumonia symptoms and treatment

Pneumococcus is the most common bacteria that causes pneumonia. A person who has been infected with one of the 80 types of pneumococci acquires partial immunity to reinfection only with that type, but not with others.

Pneumococcal pneumonia usually begins after a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract (cold, flu, or sore throat). These diseases are enough to damage the mucous membrane and open the way for Pneumococcus.

Most common symptoms:

• Shiver
• Chills after the first rise in temperature
• Cough with phlegm
• Dyspnea
• Chest pain when breathing on the side of the affected lung

Other manifestations are often observed:

Treatment

There is a vaccine that protects up to 70% of people from serious pneumococcal infections. Vaccination is recommended for people with high risk pneumococcal pneumonia, with lung or heart disease, a weakened immune system or diabetes, and over 65 years of age.

The effect of the vaccine usually lasts a lifetime, but despite this, the most at-risk groups of people are re-vaccinated every 5-10 years. In about half of the cases, after vaccination it causes redness and pain at the injection site, and only 1% experience fever and muscle pain. An even smaller number have serious allergic reactions.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is also treated with several antibiotics, including penicillin and erythromycin. People who have an allergic reaction to these drugs are given other antibiotics.

Staphylococcal pneumonia

Staphylococcus causes typical symptoms of pneumonia, but chills and fever last longer than for pneumococcal pneumonia.

Staphylococcus can cause abscesses (a collection of pus) in the lungs and can lead to the formation of cysts in the lungs that contain air (pneumatoceles), especially in children. The bacteria can be carried by the bloodstream from the lungs and cause abscesses elsewhere. Relatively often there is an accumulation of pus in the pleural cavity (empyema). These deposits can be cleared with a needle or tube in the chest cavity.

Regarding drug treatment, then the doctor prescribes antibiotics for intravenous and intramuscular administration. These drugs are used, as a rule, in maximum and submaximal doses.

• benzylpenicillin
• oxacillin
• cephalosporins of the first and second generations
• lincomycin
• clindamycin
• vancomycin
• teikoman
• fluoroquinolones

Pneumonia caused by Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that cause pneumonia are classified as:

They are distinguished by appearance, when both of them lie on the microscope glass.

Gram-negative bacteria rarely infect the lungs of healthy adults. They most often infect young children, the elderly, alcoholics and people with chronic diseases, especially those with impaired immune systems. Infections are often acquired in a hospital or nursing home.

Gram-negative bacteria quickly destroy lung tissue and lead the patient to a state of severe pneumonia within a few days. Other symptoms:

When coughing, sputum may be copious and red in color and the consistency of currant jelly.

Due to the severity of the infection, the patient is admitted to the hospital and given intensive antibiotic treatment, as well as an oxygen mask and IV. In particularly severe cases, the patient should be placed on artificial ventilation lungs. Despite receiving the best therapy, over 50% of patients with gram-negative pneumonia die.

Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium. Despite its name, it is not an influenza virus that causes the flu.

Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia is more common among Native Americans, Eskimos, black people with sickle cell disease, and people with compromised immune systems.

Signs of infection include:

Often, patients experience fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity (the space between the membrane layers covering the lungs); this condition is called pleurisy.

Haemophilus influenza type B strain is recommended for vaccination for all children. The vaccine is administered three times: at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months. To treat pneumonia caused by the Hermophilus influenzae virus, antibiotics aminopenicillin or amoxicillin are prescribed.

Legionnaires' disease

Although Legionnaires' disease can occur at any age, the incidence of the disease is highest in middle-aged and older people. People who smoke, drink alcohol or take steroids are also at greater risk. Legionnaires' disease can cause relatively mild symptoms, but can be life-threatening.

The first symptoms can be observed already 2-10 days after infection. These include fatigue:

After infection, a dry cough begins, which later turns into a wet one. People with severe infection have noticeable shortness of breath and diarrhea. Less common manifestations are confusion and other mental disorders.

To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory tests of sputum, blood and urine are performed.

The antibiotic erythromycin is the main drug for treating this pneumonia. It is prescribed orally or intravenously. About 20% of people who get this disease die. Most people treated with erythromycin improve, but recovery may take a long time.

Atypical pneumonia

Unlike “typical” pneumonia caused by the bacterial coccal flora, cases of the disease are caused by other organisms:

Among them are Mycoplasma and Chlamydial pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumonia

It is the most common type of pneumonia in people over 55 years of age. Epidemics occur more often in close groups, such as students, military personnel or families. Incubation period lasts for days and most often this type of pneumonia is observed in the spring.

Inflammation often begins with general fatigue, sore throat and dry cough. Symptoms slowly get worse. A severe cough may produce phlegm. Approximately 10-20% of patients develop a rash. Sometimes anemia, joint pain or neurological problems develop.

Symptoms often persist for 1-2 weeks, after which the patient slowly recovers. Some patients feel weak and tired after a few weeks. Although the disease is called pneumonia, most people generally recover without treatment.

Chlamydial pneumonia

It is the second most common cause of pneumonia in people aged 55 years and older. The disease is contagious and is spread from person to person by coughing through tiny droplets of saliva in the air. Symptoms are similar to mycoplasma pneumonia. Most people do not become seriously ill and recover on their own. Although 5-10% of very elderly people die from this disease.

Diagnosis of both diseases is made using a blood test to check for antibodies against the suspected organisms and a chest x-ray.

The antibiotics erythromycin and tetracycline are effective, but the response is slower, when treating pneumonia caused by the bacterium Chlamydia. If treatment is stopped too early, symptoms tend to recur.

Psittacosis

Psittacosis or (parrot fever) is a rare pneumonia caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, which is found mainly in various species of pet parrots and other birds, such as:

1-3 weeks after infection, high fever, chills, fatigue and loss of appetite begin. Then a cough occurs, initially dry, later with greenish sputum. The fever lasts for 2-3 weeks and then slowly subsides. The disease can be mild or severe depending on the age of the patient and the degree of infection of the lung tissue.

Blood tests for antibodies are the most reliable method of confirming the diagnosis.

Psittacosis is treated with tetracycline for at least 10 days. Recovery can take a long time, especially in severe cases.

Viral pneumonia

This type of pneumonia occurs due to the entry into the lungs of various viruses that are transmitted by airborne droplets. The most common ones are:

Pneumonia can be caused by the measles virus, especially in malnourished children.

In healthy adults, pneumonia is caused by two types of viruses known as types A and B and the varicella zoster virus. In older people, the disease is most often caused by influenza virus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. People of all ages with weakened immune systems can get severe pneumonia caused by cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus.

Most often, the disease is treated with various antiviral drugs. For example, pneumonia caused by the chickenpox virus or herpes simplex can be treated with acyclovir.

Fungal pneumonia

This type of pneumonia is usually caused by three types of fungi:

1. Histoplasma capsulatum (leading to histoplasmosis)
2. Coccidioides immitis (which causes coccidioidomycosis)
3. Blastomyces dermatitidis (which causes blastomycosis)

Most infected people have only mild symptoms and do not know they are infected. In some of them, the disease becomes severe.

Histoplasmosis

This type of pneumonia is observed throughout the world, but is most common in hot countries, river valleys in temperate and tropical climates. For example, in the United States, it is most common in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys and in the Eastern river valleys.

More than 80% of people living in the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys have been exposed to this fungus. Once inhaled, the fungus does not cause any symptoms in many people. In fact, many people only realize that they have been infected after they do a skin test.

Other patients begin to:

The infection may cause acute pneumonia or chronic pneumonia with symptoms that last for several months. In rare cases, the infection spreads to other areas of the body, especially the bone marrow, liver, spleen, and digestive system.

This is a diffuse form of the disease, usually occurring in people with AIDS and other immune system disorders. Histoplasmosis is diagnosed by determining the presence of fungus in a sputum sample or by blood tests that detect specific antibodies.

A blood test, however, only indicates exposure to the fungus and is not proof that the fungus caused the disease. Treatment is with typical antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or amphotericin B.

Coccidioidomycosis

Primarily distributed in countries with semi-arid climates, especially in the southwestern regions of the United States and Central America. Once inhaled fungi enter the body, they do not cause symptoms but can lead to acute or chronic pneumonia.

In some cases, the infection spreads beyond the respiratory system, usually to the skin, bones and joints, and the meninges. This complication is more common in men, especially Filipinos and blacks, and in people with AIDS and other immune system disorders.

Diagnosis is made by identifying the fungus in a sputum sample, or in a sample taken from another infected area, or in a blood test that identifies certain antibodies. Treatment is done using typical control antifungal drugs such as fluconazole or amphotericin B.

Blastomycosis

Characteristic mainly for the countries of Southeast Asia. As in previous cases, the fungus often causes asymptomatic disease. Some people get a flu-like illness. Sometimes symptoms of a chronic lung infection last for several months.

The disease can spread to other parts of the body:

Diagnosis is usually made by identifying the fungus in the sputum. Treatment is with typical antifungal drugs such as itraconazole or amphotericin B.

Other fungal infections cause pneumonia mainly in people with severely damaged immune systems.

These infections include:

Cryptococcosis, which is the most common of these and is extremely rare in healthy people. Those at risk are mainly people with previously damaged immune systems and those with immune-suppressing diseases such as AIDS. Most often, cryptococcosis spreads to the meninges, as a result of which it is called cryptococcal meningitis.

Aspergillosis causes a lung infection in people with AIDS or people who have had organ transplants.

Pulmonary candidiasis is an extremely rare type of pneumonia and occurs most often in people with low white blood cell counts, those with leukemia, and those undergoing chemotherapy.

Mucormycosis is a relatively rare fungal infection that occurs most often in people with severe diabetes or leukemia.

These four infections are successfully treated with antifungal drugs such as

However, people with AIDS and other immune system diseases may not recover.

Pneumocystis pneumonia

Most patients experience fever, shortness of breath and a dry cough. These symptoms usually get worse after a few weeks. It often happens that the lungs stop carrying enough oxygen into the blood and this leads to severe shortness of breath.

Diagnosis is made by examining sputum samples under a microscope, obtained by one of two methods: sputum induction (a cough is stimulated using inhalation or water vapor) or bronchoscopy (a device inserted into the airway to collect a sample).

A common antibiotic that a doctor prescribes to treat pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis is trimethoprim. Side effects that are especially common in people with AIDS include a rash and a decrease in the concentration of white blood cells to fight the disease and fever. Other therapeutic agents are also used:

People with very low level oxygen can be obtained by corticosteroids.

Even with treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia, the overall mortality rate is 10-30%. AIDS patients who have been successfully treated usually take drugs such as trimethoprim or pentamidine aerosol to prevent the infection from returning.

Aspiration pneumonia

Tiny organisms constantly enter the respiratory tract through the mouth, but are usually removed by the body's defense mechanisms before they can reach the lungs and cause inflammation. When the defenses are weakened and are unable to effectively fight bacteria, aspirated pneumonia begins.

People are especially susceptible to this disease after alcohol poisoning, drug addicts and bedridden patients who are unconscious under the influence of anesthesia or other medical procedures.

Chest X-ray and oxygen measurement and carbon dioxide in arterial blood can help the doctor make a diagnosis. Treatment includes oxygen therapy and, if necessary, mechanical ventilation.

Antibiotics are sometimes used to fight infection. In general, people with chemical pneumonitis, persistent or acute respiratory distress syndrome, or bacterial infection respond well to treatment. However, approximately 3-5% of people die due to chemical pneumonitis.

The bacterial form of aspiration pneumonia is the most common. It is usually caused by bacteria that a person ingests or breathes into the lungs.

Mechanical narrowing of the airways can be caused by inhalation of foreign particles or objects. Most of them are most dangerous for young children, as they often put things in their mouths.

Adults' airways can become clogged in a similar way, with inhalation of meat while eating common among typical cases. If a foreign body becomes lodged high in the trachea, the person may be unable to breathe. If it is not removed immediately, the person may die. The Heimlich maneuver is the most common method of helping a person who is choking.

Symptoms of pneumonia

These are not the times for you; humanity has many means of treating and diagnosing pneumonia. It’s better to know the symptoms of pneumonia; anyone can catch it out of the blue.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia - acute, very scary viral disease, which affects the lungs, can develop as a concomitant or provoked by other diseases, general weakening of the immune system.

With this disease, areas of the lungs become inflamed, releasing pus, which forms a purulent cover (like a crust on the lung). Through this crust, oxygen does not enter the blood and therefore be transmitted to other organs.

Symptoms of pneumonia

The first signs of pneumonia appear in the form of a cold, namely:

All these initial symptoms of pneumonia provide a lot of information and indicate the presence of this disease. Of course, it could be a simple cold, but remember one thing, if it lasts more than a week, then immediately visit the hospital. After all, already on day 5 our body produces antibodies that destroy the disease.

Symptoms of pneumonia should not be ignored and taken for a cold:

• dazedness and confusion;

• rust-colored expectoration (may be with bloody admixtures of scraps of tissue, veins);

• blistering rash on lips;

• rapid and not deep breathing;

• abdominal pain;

• strong headache;

• inhaling into full lungs causes pain and severe coughing;

• it will not be possible to bring down a high temperature for a long time with antipyretic drugs;

• vomit.

If you observe these signs of pneumonia, then quickly go to the hospital. When calling a doctor at home, if you have an illness that lasts about two days, you do not need to overreact to the doctor’s statements about the symptoms of pneumonia. Observe the patient's condition for a few more days. If the patient does not have obvious symptoms, then there is no need to inject antibiotics, take x-rays and simply torment him in the hospital. But if after several days the condition changes for the worse, then it is worth doing all the tests.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

• x-ray of the lungs (it is very important that doctors take an x-ray from the front and from the side, then it will be possible to see a full picture of the disease. (There have been cases when doctors mistook the shadow of the heart for a source of inflammation);

• do clinical tests;

• analysis of expectorated mucus;

• anamnesis and examination of the patient.

Having received the results of the study, the doctor will be able to say with confidence about the presence of the disease or its absence.

Treatment of pneumonia

Treatment of pneumonia involves taking penicillin antibiotics. The doctor may prescribe powders and injections. Most often, a series of injections are prescribed, after which everything will go away quickly. You should also take a closer look at your body, because this disease appeared due to some pathogenic factors. Very often it is concomitant with other diseases.

What is pneumonia and how can it be dangerous?

Everyone needs to know what pneumonia is and how it is dangerous, in order to avoid possible complications. The occurrence of complications after pneumonia depends on the general condition of the patient, the etiological factor, and the effectiveness of the treatment used. Pneumonia is dangerous because complications of the disease can be very different: from relapse of the disease, lung abscess, chlamydial pneumonia and ending with the death of the patient.

Types of pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. By definition characterized by symptoms acute inflammation lower respiratory tract and shading on x-ray in the chest area.

Pneumonia has an anatomical division due to the localization and extent of inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma:

Another division takes into account the etiology of the disease:

Most often, lung tissue is infected with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (about 70% of pneumonia).

Symptoms of the disease

The most important risk factor for developing pneumonia is age. Children and people over 65 years of age especially often suffer from pneumonia. Alcoholism, smoking or malnutrition can also affect the development of the disease.

Pneumonia can also be contracted by persons with immunodeficiency (diabetes patients, those infected with HIV, those undergoing treatment with glucocorticosteroids or cytostatics, undergoing radiation therapy) or with other lung diseases, such as COPD, bronchiectasis, diseases of the cardiovascular or neurological system.

Symptoms of pneumonia most often begin suddenly. This:

• weakness;
• muscle pain;
• fever with chills and sweating that disappears after a few days.

The cough is usually dry at first, and then the patient loses mucus, sometimes of a purulent nature. Chest pain when breathing and shortness of breath may occur (in some patients). In older people, symptoms of lung disease may not be as obvious. For example, fever occurs less frequently.

To confirm the diagnosis, the following is carried out:

• blood tests (results may show elevated inflammatory parameters, such as protein, procalcitonin, and elevated white blood cell counts);
• X-ray of the chest, which shows changes characteristic of pneumonia.

A pulse oximeter measures blood oxidation (saturation). A sputum test or, in cases of more severe disease, a blood and urine test is also performed.

Treatment of pneumonia

Some of the symptoms that may occur during pneumonia are called adverse determinants. To determine the patient's condition and the need for possible hospitalization, the doctor examines the patient. Checks to see if there is confusion, increased serum urea concentration, increased respiratory rate (over 30 per minute), and if the patient is over 65 years old.

If there are 3 or more factors, this indicates severe pneumonia, in which the threat to life is high (15-40%) and the patient should be treated in a hospital, even in intensive care. If 2 factors are present, the patient is dealing with moderate pneumonia, with an average risk of death (9%), but such a patient should also be hospitalized. Fortunately, most cases of pneumonia are not severe and treatment is usually required on an outpatient basis.

If pneumonia has a bacterial etiology, oral antibiotics are used. In most cases, treatment lasts 7 days. Take antibiotics strictly as prescribed by your doctor, and if you are allergic to an antibiotic, you should immediately consult a specialist.

It is very important in the process of antibacterial therapy to take drugs containing live cultures of bacteria.

The basis of outpatient treatment is to stop smoking tobacco, rest, and drink plenty of fluids.

Inpatient treatment for pneumonia consists of oxygen therapy and the prescription of antibiotics based on test results.

Lung abscess - a complication of pneumonia

A complication of pneumonia is lung abscesses, i.e. purulent inflammation in the lung parenchyma, most often occurring after inflammation of staphylococcal etiology or caused by anaerobic bacteria. In the era of antibacterial therapy, it occurs rarely, more often in patients with reduced immunity. The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia: cough (with sputum, often purulent), fever and chills. The results of blood tests show elevated inflammatory parameters: ESR and CRP, leukocyte count. A characteristic image appears on a chest x-ray - cavities filled with fluid. Sometimes bronchoscopy is performed for diagnosis.

Treatment of an abscess involves postural drainage and intravenous antibiotic therapy (sometimes antibiotics are administered through a puncture of the chest wall directly into the abscess cavity). Antibiotic therapy takes a long time, usually several weeks.

When, despite treatment, improvement does not occur and hemorrhage or abscess rupture occurs, surgical treatment is necessary - resection of the changes.

If after 6 weeks of treatment the changes do not recede, a chronic abscess occurs. The prognosis in this case is more severe. An abscess can lead to blood poisoning.

Exudate in the pleural cavity

Another complication of pneumonia is inflammation of the pleura. It most often occurs as a complication of bacterial pneumonia, less often it appears due to pneumonia of viral etiology. Purulent exudate in the pleural cavity accompanies 1/3 of patients with bacterial pneumonia. The fluid is usually infected. In this case, pleural empyema occurs.

In the case of a pleural abscess, changes are formed - fibrous effusion, making breathing difficult. Appropriate treatment is very important.

Pleurisy is characterized by chest pain with a sudden onset that occurs when breathing, high fever and a dry cough. The mobility of the chest on the affected side decreases. Chest x-ray shows fluid.

Treatment consists of antibiotic therapy with intravenous administration. Glucocorticoids are also used. Medicines can be injected directly into the pleural cavity. A puncture of the pleura is performed to remove fluid and send it for examination. Breathing rehabilitation is very important.

Chlamydial pneumonia

One of the complications of pneumonia is chlamydial pneumonia. Why is this type of pneumonia dangerous? It can lead to bronchial airway obstruction, especially in young children, which in turn aggravates asthma. In severe cases, pleural exudate occurs. The infection leads to damage to the epithelium of the respiratory tract and may be accompanied by pharyngitis, sinusitis, asthma and chronic runny nose.

Pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila can be severe and complex, especially in older adults or those with weakened immune systems (such as those on immunosuppressive therapy). It can lead to respiratory failure and even death. Myocarditis, carditis, pleurisy, and inflammation of the brain may occur. The liver and kidneys are damaged, joint inflammation and various types of skin reactions (rash) may occur.

Complications in children

Pneumonia in children, especially of a viral nature, can manifest as severe bronchospasm, making breathing difficult, pulmonary fibrosis or obliterative inflammation of the bronchioles. Each of these complications, if left untreated, can lead to serious, irreversible changes.

Pneumonia in children can come with troubling complications. These include acute respiratory distress - ARDS syndrome, associated with pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange, which leads to hypoxia and even death of the patient. It is very important to consult a doctor as soon as possible in case of alarming symptoms and, if necessary, remain under his supervision in a hospital setting.

Atypical pneumonia in children can lead to dangerous complications:

• inflammation of the meninges;
• inflammation of the heart muscle, pericardium, joints;
• glomerulonephritis;
• skin disease.

Correct diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia is very important.

If your child's pneumonia does not go away despite treatment, or gets worse, you should contact your doctor immediately.

The words “pneumonia” (pneumonia) scare us, because, as it seems to us, they mean a serious disease that is difficult and long to treat. Moreover, on all TV channels we are intimidated by the high mortality rate from this disease. But what is it really?

IF YOUR IMMUNITY IS WEAKED

Pneumonia does not appear out of nowhere - it is always the result of a virus or microbe (bacterium) appearing in the body. Most often (about 75% of cases) pneumonia is caused by pneumococci, which we are usually told about in clinics when offering vaccination, but also by streptococci, staphylococci, fungal infections and influenza viruses. But all these infections will lead to pneumonia only if you do not try to treat them (or do it incorrectly by self-medicating), or in conditions of severely weakened immunity. The last reason rapid development pneumonia is common in older people, in people with serious underlying diseases (including cancer), in postoperative period, as well as in young children. Pneumonia is especially dangerous in children under 1 year of age, since their immunity has not yet developed.

WHO IS AT RISK OF PNEUMONIA?

Pneumonia itself is not contagious. Therefore, if you are surrounded by a patient with pneumonia, you should not be afraid. Only the virus itself that causes the disease is contagious, but by the time pneumonia appears, it is no longer contagious to
those around you. That is, first of all, you need to protect yourself from infection with viruses.

Try not to visit crowded places during epidemics. Wear protective masks, changing them regularly (especially if you visit medical facilities). Keep children away from public places (even transport).

The risk of getting pneumonia increases many times over if the patient has any concomitant disease(eg diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, obstructive bronchitis, etc.), as well as in smokers and those who abuse alcohol. To reduce the risk of developing pneumonia, at the first sign of an infection, you should start taking not only medications prescribed by your doctor, but also vitamins and immunostimulants. And, of course, say goodbye to bad habits, at least for the duration of treatment and recovery.

If you do catch it colds, do not carry it on your feet under any circumstances. Consult your doctor for proper therapy. A timely treated infection will prevent pneumonia from developing.

DIET IS IMPORTANT!

Nutrition plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of pneumonia. Firstly, it should be organized in small portions, but often (at least 5-6 times a day). The diet should include chicken or beef broth, a low-fat diet
tic meat (chicken breast, veal, rabbit), a large amount of vegetables and fruits, fermented milk products, as well as fiber (porridge, whole grain bread). You should exclude strong tea and coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol, fast food, fried and spicy foods, and fatty foods from your diet. This is important for maintaining immunity at a high level, so that the body does not fight what you are trying to put into it, but takes from food everything useful that it requires from nature.

VACCINE?

Clinics often offer vaccination against pneumococcal infection. Indeed, there is a vaccine that can protect the body for 3-4 years. However, as we found out, pneumonia can be caused by a completely different microorganism, for example, the same influenza virus. And you will not be vaccinated against it.

It is hardly worth getting vaccinated against all diseases at the same time - the body will not withstand such a load. But if you decide to get vaccinated, then remember that the body must be absolutely healthy (no cough, no runny nose, much less anything more serious). Just in case, hand it in clinical analysis blood - and only after making sure that there are no deviations from the norm, get vaccinated. Otherwise, the opposite result will result: instead of protection from the disease, you will get the disease itself - as in the saying: “What you fought for, that’s what you ran into.”

Pneumonia (pneumonia) is a disease that was known to the ancients. Thus, the ancient physician Celsus mentioned the disease for the first time. In the 17th century, Thomas Willis, a physician from England, became the first to describe in detail acute fever, shortness of breath, and cough.
The disease began to be studied in more detail in the 19th century. Laencom, a compatriot and colleague of Willis, compiled a description of the auscultatory picture of the disease, which made it possible to determine the disease at an early stage.
An undoubted breakthrough in medicine was the discovery x-ray radiation. This made it possible to carry out reliable diagnosis, more accurately determine the localization of inflammation, its nature, and prevalence. And also to identify, before people did not have such an opportunity.
The end of the 19th century was marked by the discovery of pathogenic microorganisms, in particular pneumococcus. Then they found confirmation of S. Botkin’s hypothesis that the disease is of an infectious nature.

Look for...pneumococcus!

As mentioned above, pneumococcal infection is common: it accounts for 30% of cases. It causes other diseases, including sepsis (blood poisoning). As is often the case with other bacteria, many people carry pneumococci, but not everyone gets sick, especially since they do not always know about the infection.
Pneumococcus is transmitted from one person to another through airborne droplets. That is why it is wrong to assume that if a person has pneumonia, then he is not contagious.

It is imperative to take precautions when communicating with a patient with pneumonia.

Some exhibit particularly high susceptibility to pneumococcus. These categories of the population, in particular, include people with chronic diseases - diabetes mellitus, obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, HIV. Smokers and people who abuse alcohol are also at risk.
Recently, the situation has been getting worse, as it is becoming more difficult due to the increasing resistance of bacteria to such drugs. This trend has been recorded in many countries around the world.

How to treat?

In order for pneumonia to go away completely and irrevocably, it is necessary to learn the principles of its treatment. To a greater extent, recovery depends not on the doctor, but on the patient himself.
Even a harmless cold, and even more so pneumonia, should be treated under the supervision of a doctor, since the mortality rate for this disease is very high, especially when it comes to children and pensioners.

• Pneumonia is sometimes mistaken for pneumonia, which is why the patient ends up in the hands of doctors in an advanced state. Therefore, if there are any signs of a cold, you should immediately consult a doctor so that he can listen to your lungs.
• Often patients stop treatment at their own discretion as soon as they feel improvement. This cannot be done. If, in the opinion of the doctor, antibacterial therapy should last 2 weeks, then this is the period for which the drugs must be taken, otherwise the infection will not be completely eradicated.
• Pneumonia cannot be tolerated “on your feet”; it is treated in “bed rest”. The main task of the immune system during this period is to fight infection. Physical and psychological stress slow down the healing process.

Diet for pneumonia

Proper nutrition will help bring the moment of recovery closer. During the period of treatment for adults and children, the caloric content of the menu is limited, the amount of vitamins is increased, especially group B, ascorbic acid(vitamin C), products containing phosphorus, manganese. Food should be well digested and easily absorbed. During the period of exacerbation, which is accompanied by, diet No. 13 is indicated, after normalization of the condition - diet No. 15.

During treatment, exclude from the diet:

• Fresh bread, baked goods;
• cakes, cocoa;
• meat, fish, dairy products with a high fat content;
• sausages, canned food, smoked meats;
• spicy and spicy food;
• fresh cabbage and cucumbers, radishes, radishes, and also garlic;
• beans.

The body will benefit from:

• Wheat bread, biscuits, crackers;
• light broths, soups;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• eggs;
• fish, meat - low-fat varieties;
• vegetable dishes, fresh tomatoes;
• rice, semolina, ground buckwheat in the form of semi-liquid porridges (milk, broth), soufflé, puddings;
• vermicelli;
• butter - butter, vegetable.
• drinks - coffee, tea (not strong), fruit drinks, juices, infusion and decoction of rose hips, jelly;
• ripe fruits, berries;
• fruit desserts;
• honey, sugar.

What you need to know about pneumonia

• The disease has its “own” day of the year. On November 12, the world celebrates Pneumonia Day, when they try to draw special attention to this problem - volunteers talk about potential danger, doctors conduct examinations and organize preventive measures.
• Two categories of the population suffer most from pneumonia - children and the elderly due to a weakened immune system. Thus, 18% of deaths occur in children under 5 years of age, which in total amounts to 1.4 million child deaths annually. This is much more deaths than from malaria, measles, and AIDS in general. The populations of South Asia and Africa are especially susceptible to the disease.
• In many cases, pneumonia develops due to other untreated diseases - whooping cough, measles. But even the bad habit of rhinotillexomania, in other words, picking your nose, can lead to it.
• The symbol of the fight against the disease is... blue jeans. Anyone who wants to express solidarity with the sick on November 12 can wear these trousers.