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Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs. The disease is accompanied by cough, fever, increased sweating and weakness. However, pneumonia does not always present with a full set of symptoms. Sometimes it has a latent course, which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is the latent form of the disease that is considered one of the most dangerous, because due to the lack of obvious symptoms, a person does not receive therapy, and when he does go to the hospital, it is not always possible to save him. Therefore, it is so important to have complete information on how to recognize asymptomatic pneumonia.
Why can a disease occur without a cough?
With a hidden course of pneumonia in humans there may be no cough, body temperature will remain within normal limits, and even a doctor will not hear wheezing in the lungs. Therefore, people attribute weakness and increased fatigue to banal fatigue, or to mild SARS. They do not go to the doctor and do not receive adequate therapy for the situation.
Latent pneumonia can develop at any age, but older people over 60 are most susceptible to it.
Causes of pneumonia without cough:
Violations in the functioning of the immune system.
Irrational therapy of previously transferred colds, for example, antitussive drugs or antibiotics. When stopping a cough, sputum accumulates in the lungs. It is a fertile environment for the reproduction of pathogenic flora. Uncontrolled use of antibiotics is no less dangerous, as it leads to the development of microbial resistance, which is why in the future the effectiveness of such drugs is reduced.
Past illnesses. Asymptomatic pneumonia can act as a complication of influenza or bronchitis. The danger in this regard is represented by previously performed surgical interventions on internal organs, connection to a ventilator, and tracheal intubation. All this negatively affects the functioning of the lung tissue.
At risk are all bedridden patients, patients with HIV, as well as people suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. Persons with identified intracellular pathogens, for example, with mycoplasmosis or chlamydia.
How to recognize pathology in the absence of a cough?
Even in the absence of a cough, pneumonia makes itself felt with a certain set of symptoms. If previously a person was absolutely healthy, he cannot fail to notice them.
First, weakness increases, performance decreases sharply. Headaches join, because of which daily activities are given to the patient with difficulty.
Secondly, sweating intensifies, periodically there is a slight chill. The heartbeat quickens, shortness of breath and chest pain appear, which increase with sudden movements or with increased physical activity. Another characteristic sign of ill health is the pallor of the skin, combined with a bright blush.
Thirdly, body temperature rises. In this case, wheezing in the lungs and coughing may be absent.
The blurred clinical picture of pneumonia makes it difficult to diagnose qualitatively. It is possible to identify the disease only with an in-depth diagnosis.
Diagnostics
If one or more signs appear that indicate a latent course of pneumonia, it is necessary to visit a doctor.
Deteriorating health is a reason to see a doctor, not postponing his visit until later. Pneumonia is dangerous with serious complications, up to death.
During the appointment, the specialist will examine the patient, auscultate the respiratory organs. The next step is to donate blood and urine for analysis. A prerequisite is the passage of x-rays of the lungs. In the picture, you can visualize the focus of inflammation, its location and size.
It is important to establish the cause of the development of pneumonia. Inflammation can be triggered by infectious agents, allergens, and even medications.
Treatment
Since there is no cough in occult pneumonia, the lungs cannot clear themselves. The accumulation of sputum leads to an increase in the number of microbes and increased inflammation. Therefore, without fail, the patient is prescribed mucolytics and bronchodilators. These drugs facilitate the discharge of mucus and contribute to a speedy recovery.
For pneumonia, antibiotics are indicated. They destroy the pathogenic flora and stop inflammation. The choice of drug depends on the type of pathogen. To determine it, a microbiological examination of sputum is carried out.
Auxiliary measures include taking a course of physiotherapy, taking herbs, performing exercise therapy. All appointments are given by the doctor.
Allergist-immunologist Ilyintseva N.V. at Allegris Medical Center: cough or pneumonia?