Croupous pneumonia in adults

What is lobar pneumonia

Croupous pneumonia is an acute disease in which several lobes of the lung become inflamed. Inside the lung sacs, a sticky fluid (fibrin effusion) forms and accumulates, the pleura (lung membrane) often suffers – it is also covered with sticky, sticky fibrin filaments, which makes it harder for the patient to breathe.

This type of pneumonia usually affects adults from 20 to 40-50 years old, the disease is quite difficult, but with timely treatment, you can fully recover.

Causes of lobar pneumonia in adults

The main causes of lobar pneumonia are bacteria. Most often, the process is caused by pneumococci of types 1-4. More rarely, Friedlander’s bacilli can cause inflammation. Often, such pneumonia occurs against the background of sharp, stressful factors – severe hypothermia, severe SARS, diseases that reduce immunity.

Signs of lobar pneumonia in adults

With croupous pneumonia, the symptoms are acute. Key ones:

• a sharp increase in temperature to 39 – 40 ° C;
• severe chills, weakness;
• chest pain when breathing;
• cough – at first dry, but quickly becomes wet, with rusty sputum;
• severe shortness of breath;
• wheezing that can be heard when breathing;
• palpitations, low blood pressure;
• pale skin, nausea, muscle weakness.

The general condition is severe, the patient needs the help of doctors in the hospital.

Stages of lobar pneumonia in adults

Croupous pneumonia proceeds according to a special scenario, with a change of stages with typical changes in the lung tissue.

Stage one – tide. A lot of blood flows to the lung tissue, because of which it turns red, blood stagnates in small vessels. The stage lasts from 12-14 hours to 3 days.

Stage two – red hepatization. During this period, part of the fluid and red blood cells enter the alveoli from the small vessels of the lungs, which is why they do not work well. The affected part of the lung becomes dense, outwardly similar to liver tissue. Fibrin accumulates inside the lung sacs – a sticky substance that gives density to the tissue. This stage lasts up to 3 days.

Stage three – gray hepatization. Erythrocytes cease to enter the lung tissue, they are replaced by leukocytes and fibrin, epithelium. Therefore, the color of the lungs changes to gray with greenish. The stage lasts from 2 to 6 days.

Stage four – resolution. Gradually, fibrin dissolves, the alveoli are cleared, the lungs are restored and begin to breathe normally. This process is the longest, can last up to 2 – 3 weeks.

Treatment of lobar pneumonia in adults

Without timely treatment, severe complications are possible – abscesses, lung necrosis, death. Therefore, at the first signs of pneumonia, you need to call a doctor or an ambulance and hospitalization.

Diagnostics

In the clinic, the doctor will immediately examine the patient, listen to the lungs, identifying wheezing and typical noises, measure pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and carefully record all complaints in the medical history. Then the doctor will prescribe:

• blood and urine tests;
• chest x-ray (or CT if the situation is complex);
• sputum culture to determine the cause of inflammation;
• ECG, specialist consultations if there are chronic diseases.

Based on the results of all tests, treatment is prescribed.

Modern treatments

To treat lobar pneumonia, the doctor will prescribe two antibiotics. One drug is administered intravenously, the second – intramuscularly. Usually these are drugs from the group of penicillins, cephalosporins. Rarely stronger medications are required.

Additionally, complex therapy is required:

• immunocorrection (introduce blood plasma, immunoglobulins);
• correction of blood clotting disorders (intravenous solutions for blood thinning, heparin are administered);
• normalization of the protein composition of the blood (intravenous albumin, retabolil);
• oxygen (served through a nasal catheter or mask);
• hormonal drugs (in severe cases, prednisone is used in a short course);
• antioxidant therapy (ascorbic acid, rutin);
• bronchodilators (Berodual, Eufillin, Atrovent);
• expectorants (ACC, Bromhexine, Ambrobene, Lazolvan);

• antipyretic drugs (Nurofen, Paracetamol, Ibuklin);
• physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy.

As the condition improves, the patient undergoes a course of rehabilitation in order to completely eliminate the foci of inflammation in the lungs.

Prevention of lobar pneumonia in adults at home

The basis for the prevention of lobar pneumonia is vaccination against pneumococcal infection. In addition, a flu shot would be helpful. Additionally, a person should take care of the health of the pulmonary system:

• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
• spend more time outdoors;
• avoid contact with sick people.

Popular questions and answers

Why lobar pneumonia is so dangerous and how to treat it, she told us pulmonologist Marina Samoilova.