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Viral pneumonia most often occurs as a complication of a prolonged flu or flu-like infection. Its characteristic feature is the spread of the inflammatory process in the interstitial tissue and, to a lesser extent, in the lumen of the alveoli. Hence, the auscultation phenomena found during the examination of the lungs in this type of inflammation are much less pronounced than the changes observed in the radiological examination.
Viral pneumonia is a condition that usually appears as a complication of the flu and affects children more often than adults. Inflammation can be caused by influenza viruses, RVS, or adenoviruses. A characteristic feature of viral pneumonia is the spread of the inflammatory process in the interstitial tissue, and less in the lumen of the alveoli. The disease attacks most often in the fall and winter, when we are dealing with an influenza epidemic.
Among the factors influencing viral pneumonia we mention:
- heavy tobacco smoking,
- diabetes
- chronic heart failure,
- old age,
- lack of oral hygiene,
- alcohol abuse.
The onset of viral pneumonia, if not a complication of acute influenza, is less rapid. Likewise, a fever occurs, but usually there is no severe chills, intense coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. At the beginning, symptoms of general weakness, “breakdown” and headaches are dominant. In addition to the symptoms listed, other characteristic symptoms are:
- sore throat,
- rhinitis,
- muscle pain,
- blood plucking,
- sweating,
- high temperature,
- dry cough,
- respiratory sounds
- sometimes inflammation of the laryngeal, bronchial or tracheal mucosa.
Complications after influenza are more turbulent due to strongly expressed symptoms of toxemia (increased heart rate and respiration, drop in blood pressure, stronger dyspnoea, cyanosis, etc.).
Viral pneumonia – diagnosis
If you suspect that a patient has viral pneumonia, the doctor will recommend a blood test and an x-ray of the lungs. If the patient has a high concentration of acute-phase CRP protein in the blood and a large number of lymphocytes, and the X-ray shows shadows – viral pneumonia has occurred.
The patient should stay at home during the illness, hospitalization is necessary only when the disease affects young children (no matter if the inflammation is mild or acute, a visit to the hospital is always necessary). The most important thing to do in the treatment of bronchopneumonia is to remove the secretions that are in the patient’s bronchial tubes. This requires expectorant preparations as well as patting the back and hydration of the child. The disease usually lasts up to a week.
Complications
Viral pneumonia often does not give any characteristic symptoms, therefore complications may occur due to the lack of an appropriate diagnosis (especially in children). It all depends on what virus caused the inflammation, but it is worth knowing that poorly treated pneumonia can cause meningitis as a result.
In addition to pharmacological treatment of viral pneumonia, home remedies can be used to help get rid of residual airway secretions.
1. Place the patient in the correct position during the coughing attack – the head should be lower than the rest of the body.
2. Tapping the patient’s lungs when coughing is helpful.
3. It is worth using home herbal infusions, about which, of course, you should inform your doctor.
4. Flaxseed (can be found in virtually any pharmacy) is a good agent for expectoration of phlegm. Just brew it and drink it when it cools down. Flaxseed also has a beneficial effect on problems with the digestive system, which often occur with pneumonia.
Chinese cups can be used as an adjunct during the treatment of pneumonia. You can find a set of glass Chinese fire bubbles at Medonet Market.
Viral pneumonia – prevention
The greatest thing in preventing viral pneumonia is preventing flu infections. We can prevent it with vaccines, e.g. against influenza, which have an effectiveness of up to 90%. The composition of such a vaccine is prepared every year in terms of threatening infections.
For prophylaxis, it is important that patients who have flu are isolated and stay at home for one to ten days. The patient should not engage in any physical activity during this time, but should implement symptomatic treatment: antipyretic or anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal drugs). It is also important to treat bronchitis carefully, as it may have complications such as pneumonia.