Pneumonia is a disease. Signs of pneumonia

When the respiratory system is normal, a person feels good. From this article you will learn everything about what pneumonia is, what are the symptoms and treatment of the pathology, what are the causes and first signs of the disease. If you quickly identify the disease, you can avoid unpleasant consequences and complications.

What is pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious and inflammatory disease. It affects the lower Airways, including alveoli, lung tissue, bronchi and bronchioles.

Important! The disease is considered dangerous because if left untreated, death can occur.

Despite advances in medicine, pathology is registered among thousands of patients every year. Pneumonia is diagnosed in both men and women. Cases of the disease in adults are not as often fatal as in children.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia can develop as an independent pathology, or it can join an already existing inflammatory process. The etiology of this disease is varied, so only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

Pneumonia can be:

infectious;
non-infectious.

Infectious pneumonia develops under the influence of viral or bacterial pathogens. Most often in adult patients, pathology is caused by the following microorganisms:

Non-infectious pneumonia of the lungs occurs against the background of:

Often, suspicion of pneumonia arises after a cold or viral flu. Any bacterial infection can cause inflammation in the lungs.

What increases the risk

To avoid serious problems with the respiratory system, it is important to know what factors increase the likelihood of pneumonia. For people of different ages their phenomena pose a danger.

For a child early age The appearance of pneumonia can be affected by:

IN adolescence The risk of developing pneumonia is affected by:

smoking;
chronic diseases of the nasopharynx;
heart diseases;
carious teeth;
chronic runny nose;
frequent viral diseases;
decreased immune defense.

For adults, the risk factor may be:

By avoiding all of these risk factors, you can reduce your risk of contracting pneumonia.

Ways of contracting pneumonia

Many patients wonder whether they could have contracted the disease from another person. Pneumonia can be contagious if it is caused by an infection. If it arose against the background allergic reaction or a burn of the respiratory tract, then the sick person is not dangerous to others.

The routes of transmission and penetration into the lung parenchyma can be different. Highlight:

bronchogenic;
lymphogenous;
hematogenous.

With bronchogenic route of infection pathogenic microorganisms penetrate with inhaled air. This means that if there is a sick person nearby, the disease will be transmitted by airborne droplets. The likelihood that an infection will provoke a disease occurs when there is some kind of inflammatory process or swelling in the nasal or tracheal tract. In this case, the inhaled air is not filtered properly and infection occurs.

The lymphogenous route of infection is the least common. To do this, the infection must first penetrate into lymphatic system, and only then get into the lung and bronchial tissues.

The hematogenous route of infection is the penetration of infection through the blood. This is possible in cases where the causative agent of the disease has entered the bloodstream, as, for example, during sepsis. This route of infection is rare, but is quite possible with pneumonia.

Classification of pathology

All pneumonias are divided into:

out-of-hospital;
hospital.

Community-acquired forms develop at home or in groups and, as a rule, can be treated traditional methods treatment, as they can be completely eliminated with the help of antibiotics and other medicines. Hospital-acquired types of pneumonia mean those that develop within the walls of hospitals against the background of penetration various infections. The duration of treatment for these forms is usually longer, since these pathogens are resistant to many drugs.

The classification of pneumonia involves dividing the types of disease depending on:

type of pathogen;
morphological features;
the nature of the flow;
prevalence of the process;
development mechanism;
stages of severity;
presence of complications.

Only a specialist can determine pneumonia and what caused it after conducting clinical studies.

Pneumonia can be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, mycoplasma, or several pathogens at the same time. To cure pneumonia, it is important to determine which group of infections caused the disease. Otherwise, the use of drugs will be ineffective.

According to morphological features, pneumonia can be divided into the following types:

lobar;
parenchymal;
focal;
interstitial;
mixed.

The mechanism of development of pneumonia is distinguished:

primary;
repeated (arising against the background of other pathologies);
aspiration;
post-traumatic.

Atypical pneumonia can be difficult to recognize, since some symptoms are uncharacteristic for this group of diseases.

Depending on prevalence pathological process pneumonia happens:

drain;
focal;
small-focal (usually sluggish);
segmental;
share;
middle lobe;
basal;
total;
subtotal;
one-sided;
bilateral.

Note! Double pneumonia is more severe and often requires hospital treatment.

Based on the nature of the disease, three stages of severity are distinguished. At mild form treatment at home is possible. If an exacerbation develops, a hospital is required.

Complications usually occur with untreated pneumonia and in the presence of tumor processes. For example, against the background oncological tumors Paracancrosis pneumonia may develop. Possible occurrence destructive changes, which leads to irreversible consequences.

Important! If pneumonia is not treated, pulmonitis can develop, a disease that affects the alveoli and leads to the formation of scar tissue, which ultimately leads to cancer.

Upon penetration bacterial infection purulent pneumonia may occur. Against the background of this condition, there is a high risk of developing the most dangerous form diseases - septic. Cavities can form in the lung tissues and necrotic processes can begin. The latent form is especially dangerous, since the patient loses a lot of time while the pathology is diagnosed.

When the pathogen exhibits resistance to the drugs used, patients experience prolonged pneumonia. In order not to die from complications of the disease, it is necessary to know the symptoms of the pathology and respond promptly when they occur.

General symptoms

After the incubation period of the infection that has entered the body has expired, the patient begins to show signs of illness.

Rarely does pneumonia begin without a cough. Since the inflammatory process primarily affects the respiratory system, normal breathing is violated immediately. Initially, the patient will notice the following clinical picture:

dry cough;
weakened breathing;
lethargy;
respiratory symptoms.

Only when atypical course pneumonia, the disease passes without fever. In a sense, this is dangerous, since the person may not take the complaints seriously and will delay treatment.

Pneumonia is no different from pneumonia, but this pathology has some differences from the common cold. distinctive features. None colds cannot last more than a week. After this period, symptoms should subside and the patient’s well-being should improve. If, a few days after the onset of the clinical picture, additional signs appear and the condition worsens, one may suspect the addition of inflammatory process in lung tissue.

For any pneumonia, symptoms can be divided into three groups.

Intoxication symptoms

Intoxication syndrome develops due to the fact that bacteria that have entered the body begin to secrete toxic substances. As a result, the patient notes the following intoxication phenomena:

temperature rise to 39.5 degrees;
dizziness;
headache;
increased sweating;
lethargy and drowsiness;
apathy;
insomnia.

IN in rare cases In severe cases of pneumonia, nausea and vomiting may occur.

Note! At a temperature caused by pneumonia, medications to eliminate fever are ineffective.

Pulmonary symptoms

The onset of pneumonia is most often associated with fever, but sputum may not be produced at first. The cough is dry but persistent.

Wet cough appears only on the fourth day after the onset of symptoms. The color of the sputum is rusty. This is usually due to the fact that a certain amount of red blood cells are released along with the mucus.

Pain in the back and chest may occur. The lung itself is devoid of pain receptors. However, when the pleura is involved in the process, the patient begins to experience discomfort in this area. This is especially acute when a person tries to do deep breath.

In general, fever and sharp picture symptoms may last about 7-9 days.

Symptoms of pulmonary failure

Pulmonary failure develops against the background of pneumonia. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:

dyspnea;
cyanosis skin due to inadequate access to oxygen;
rapid breathing.

Pulmonary failure usually occurs with bilateral pneumonia. How big square the lung tissue is damaged, the stronger the symptoms.

The doctor must be able to distinguish pneumonia from other lung lesions. Diagnosis may include several measures. The doctor decides which methods are necessary.

First, the doctor will carefully listen to what the symptoms are, what preceded their appearance and how long the patient has been observing this clinical karting. After this, the specialist will ask the patient to undress to the waist to examine the chest.

Note! During the process of breathing, the inflamed areas may lag behind in the intensity of translational movements, which allows the doctor to more specifically determine the localization of the pathology.

auscultation;
percussion;
general blood analysis;
sputum analysis;
X-ray;
bronchoscopy;
Ultrasound of the lungs.

Auscultation is carried out by a therapist or pulmonologist using a special device - a stethoscope. It consists of several tubes that amplify the sound and allows the doctor to clearly hear the sounds of the lung. A healthy person will simply breathe normally. With inflammation you can hear hard breathing in the lungs and wheezing.

Percussion is tapping on the chest. Normally, when the organ is filled only with air, the sound is clear, but during the inflammatory process the lung is filled with exudate, which creates a broken, dull and shortened sound.

The CBC allows the doctor to assess the presence of the inflammatory process and its intensity. Blood counts for pneumonia are as follows: increase in ESR and leukocytes.

A biological study of secretions from the lungs is carried out to clarify the causative agent of pneumonia. Only in this case will the doctor be able to issue a prescription that will help quick release from illness.

In the image obtained after the x-ray, the doctor will assess the size and location of the inflammation. The affected areas are usually lighter than other healthy tissue (as can be seen in the photo). It will also determine the presence of peribronchial infiltration inside the organ.

Bronchoscopy and ultrasound examination are rarely performed, only in advanced and complicated forms of pneumonia. Whether such an examination is necessary or not will be determined by the doctor after X-rays and other studies.

Treatment of pneumonia

Self-medication and treatment folk remedies for pneumonia is prohibited. Any traditional methods can only be maintenance therapy in the stage of convalescence (recovery).

Indications for placing a patient in hospital treatment:

decline blood pressure to levels below 90/60;
tachycardia up to 125 beats per minute;
confusion;
rapid breathing (from 30 times per minute);
too low (up to 35.5) or high (40) temperature;
saturation less than 92%;
inflammation in several lobes of the lung;
sepsis;
concomitant pathologies of the heart, kidneys or liver.

It is very important to take care of creating suitable conditions for the patient:

complete bed rest;
drinking plenty of water;
balanced diet;
regular ventilation in the patient’s room and wet cleaning.

Most often, first aid consists of correct use medications.

Drug treatment of pneumonia

Since the causative agent of pneumonia is most often bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed to combat the disease. wide range actions. If a sputum analysis is performed and the infection is accurately determined, the patient can be transferred to another, more accurate, but gentle drug.

Duration of treatment antibacterial agents is 7-10 days. In rare cases, therapy can be extended to two weeks.

Important! Antibiotics can only be prescribed by the attending physician, since a mistake can lead to serious complications.

Most often prescribed:

The dosage is determined only by the doctor, depending on the type of drugs and research results. Based on the severity of the patient’s condition and the presence concomitant diseases, antibiotic therapy can be carried out in the form of:

oral administration of tablets;
injections;
IVs

To avoid recurrence of pneumonia, it is very important to complete treatment to the end. Stopping treatment due to a decrease in symptoms is very dangerous. The pathogen will not die, but will only acquire resistance to the antibiotics of the group used.

For a wet cough, you can use products like “ACC”, “Ambroxol” or “Lazolvan”. Absorbable mucolytics should not be taken with dry nonproductive cough, since the attacks will become more frequent, and the patient will experience severe suffering.

It is important to focus your energy on strengthening your immune system. For this it is important to take care balanced diet in the patient, sufficient quantity vitamins

To valid auxiliary folk recipes This includes regular consumption of honey, garlic, onions, rosehip, linden and raspberry decoctions. All these methods are used exclusively along with the main treatment. It is important to take into account the absence of an allergic reaction, as this can aggravate the course of pneumonia.

Breathing exercises are also carried out under the supervision of a doctor. They may be contraindicated in some conditions. Strelnikova or Butenko gymnastics are recommended. To prevent congestion in the lungs, experts recommend inflating balloons.

Prevention

Good prevention against pneumonia:

maintaining active image life;
increasing immunity;
regular walks in the fresh air;
timely treatment of infectious diseases.

This way you can protect your body from pathology.

If a person is attentive to the symptoms that occur in the body, pneumonia can be detected on initial stage. This will allow you to heal quickly and without complications.

Watch the video:

You can identify signs of pneumonia in a timely manner if you consult a doctor without waiting serious symptoms. Pneumonia is life-threatening, especially for children. After all, easily coping with the growing immune system child, the disease progresses over several hours.

The causative agent of the disease is most often streptococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Normally, this bacterium is present in the lungs. But with inflammation, it multiplies quickly against the background of colds and reduced immunity. This also happens with prolonged severe hypothermia.

The manifestation of pneumonia depends on its pathogens. In professional circles, it is customary to classify types of pathological conditions into various forms. In modern times, the concept of “atypical pneumonia” has also appeared.

What causes lead to the development of pneumonia:

decreased body resistance to bacteria;
reproduction of pathogens - streptococcus, enterobacteria, staphylococcus.

Atypical pneumonia - causes and symptoms

The type of pneumonia can be determined by the type of pathogen. If typical inflammation lungs occurs from the proliferation of coccal pathogens, then atypical pneumonia occurs when colonies of mycoplasma, chlamydia, legionella, and hemophilus influenzae grow in the respiratory tract.

Damage to the lungs by chlamydia is associated with the sensitivity of microorganisms to protein molecules of the receptors of the bronchial system and alveoli. Chlamydia multiplies inside the cell, complicating antibiotic therapy. When the antibacterial medicine enters the blood, chlamydia hides in the cell, so the severe symptoms disappear. Refusal of an antibiotic sharply activates bacteria, and the disease becomes chronic.

Mycoplasma causes disease in young people, in combination with infections genitourinary tract. It is difficult to recognize this type - there are no acute symptoms.

Legionella is a rare guest in the respiratory tract, but its reproduction in the lungs is most dangerous and most often leads to a tragic end.

Haemophilus influenzae - provokes pneumonia in smokers. It is activated by pathological changes in the respiratory system, which, in turn, are observed in smokers, in most cases.

All of these pathogens lead to only half of the cases of pneumonia on the globe. In the 21st century, medicine is faced with other, new pathogens for which there are no drugs yet. If natural immunity fails to cope - the person dies from damage to the alveoli and lack of oxygen - that is, simply suffocates. An example is bird and swine flu, outbreaks of which in the recent past shocked world medicine and claimed many lives.

Other disease factors:

The first signal of problems in the respiratory system is the destruction of cells in the respiratory tree. The body is trying to get rid of dead cells and eliminate their particles from the lumens in the alveoli and bronchi. From the outside it looks like a dry cough and sore throat.

A little later, the immune system joins the battle, the lungs become inflamed, and the cough turns into a wet one, phlegm accumulates in the bronchi, the cough intensifies, because the body strives to get rid of phlegm.

The disease goes through three stages, in medical terms:

tide, hepatization, reparation.

By volume lung lesions It happens:

focal disease;
segmental disease;
shared;
lobar.

Classic course of pneumonia

Traditionally, pneumonia progresses through congestion, hepatization, and resolution. The disease ends within a month. In a child, the disease may last longer and be characterized by more severe symptoms.

Symptoms of red flush or flush

Hot flashes can be recognized by redness of the facial skin, high or moderately elevated temperature, shortness of breath, swelling of the alveoli, painful sensations in the chest due to increased air filling of the lungs.

Gradually, inflammation in the alveoli increases, fluid collects there, preventing normal metabolic processes oxygen and its entry into the blood. Hot flush symptoms last 48–60 hours. Red swelling can be recognized as vascular damage and the accumulation of red blood cells in the infiltrate. Such observation is possible after taking the appropriate tests.

Symptoms of hepatization - gray hepatization

At this stage, leukocytes “interfere” in the inflammation process, destroying the cells of the causative agents of the disease. The first symptom of the body's struggle is the filling of the alveoli with exudate - sputum, which is separated with a cough, freeing the alveoli. The exudate will drain for quite a long time until all the dead bacteria are released. This period is called hepatization because lung tissue resemble liver cells, and in gray liver the accumulation of blood cells, fibrin and other cells forms a gray dense content when viewed under a microscope.

Resolution stage - symptoms

New symptoms will help you know that the disease has entered the resolution stage, that is, the final phase:

Pathological processes gradually disappear, the amount of inflammatory fluid decreases, freeing the alveoli. Shortness of breath and cough gradually disappear. But swelling in the airway area may still remain for some time, and tissues that have lost elasticity cause chest pain.

Fibrin clots dissolve, breathing is restored, a long process of eliminating edema begins - here is a short list of the main symptoms of the third, reparative stage of the disease in the classical version.

Croupous pneumonia

Pneumonia that affects both lungs is called lobar or bilateral. Let's look further at how to recognize it and what its symptoms are. Usually, in both a child and an adult, the causative agent of this type of pneumonia is called the Friendler's bacillus in a combination of other microorganisms, fungi and viruses.

Symptoms to recognize pneumonia:

shortness of breath, intoxication;
excessive sweating;
increase in body temperature;
bluish facial coverings;
swelling of the nasolabial triangle area;
sputum separation.

In a child, sweating and blue discoloration are most noticeable. Moreover, cyanosis in a child can be observed at the level of the abdomen and upper limbs. The first sign of pneumonia is cough and weakness.

Some patients experience pathology of other organs - for example, gastrointestinal disorder, which can be identified by stool instability, gas formation in the stomach, pain and loss of appetite. The child has lobar pneumonia may be accompanied by loss of consciousness, delirium, hallucinations, especially when the temperature rises.

Adults often note severe weakness and inability to move, even to sit up in bed or walk to the toilet.

In case of intoxication, there is severe insufficiency of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Mental condition resembles a disorder with depressed central nervous system activity. If you are not hospitalized in time with these disorders, especially small child– there is a risk of a tragic outcome for the patient. Modern therapy allows you to stop the disease in the first 3–4 days of its course in a hospital setting. This requires timely seeking emergency medical care.

How to recognize pneumonia in a child

The causes of pneumonia in a child are similar to those that cause this disease in adults. But the course of the disease in children may have a number of features that are taken into account when choosing treatment methods.

Features of pneumonia in a child:

temperature not higher than 38;
the febrile state cannot be controlled by any medications;
shortness of breath and rapid breathing, cough may be absent;
at infant shortness of breath is combined with retraction of the spaces between the ribs.

Later, the child develops other adult symptoms.

Atypical pneumonia

The causes of atypical pneumonia have already been listed above, so let’s look at its first signs:

fever and fever;
dyspnea;
increase in heart rate to 100 at rest;
pain in the sternum;
Possible diarrhea, headaches and skin rashes due to deterioration of the body's protective functions. Atypical pneumonia occurs with a dry, non-productive cough.

Further development depends on the causative agent of the disease and leads to complications such as edema, abscess, psychosis, and pneumothorax.

The widespread use of antibiotics, which has increased in Lately, leads to the fact that some inflammatory processes in the lungs can occur without symptoms.

Bacterial infections and pneumonia

The bacterial causative agent of pneumonia is characterized by a sharp sudden increase in body temperature, even up to 41 degrees. This temperature can last up to 3 days and is an indication for taking antibacterial drugs. If within 72 hours the temperature changed abruptly, then we can conclude that viral infection, which is not amenable to antibiotic treatment. Bacterial pneumonia characterized brown sputum, a constant obsessive cough, attacks of which are worse at night. The fatigue of patients is reduced, so they can move around without experiencing much discomfort. When inhaling, pain is felt in the sternum.

If not applied urgent treatment, pneumonia can destroy lung tissue, forming cavities and abscesses, a sign of which will be incipient intoxication.

Viral pneumonia

The virus penetrates the cells of the alveoli, forming edema of the lung tissue. In this case, the blood supply is disrupted, and drugs cannot be delivered to the lesions through the bloodstream. Symptoms of a viral infection are also accompanied by high fever, chest pain, and cough. Antiviral and symptomatic drugs are used for treatment.

SARS syndrome

A new disease within the concept of pneumonia, which appeared in international classification about 10 years ago. It can be caused by viruses of the Paramyxoviridae and Coronavirus families. These pathogens multiply in the cells of the upper respiratory tract, causing tissue changes and swelling that is not eliminated by antibiotics. Often such viruses claim human lives in 4-5 days. The first three days are decisive, and if there is regression, then the body can cope with the disease itself, but if it worsens, the prognosis is very disappointing.

Signs of SARS syndrome:

cyanosis of the facial skin;
decreased blood pressure and swelling;
swelling of the lymph nodes;
increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood.

Lung pathologies can lead to heart failure and kidney inflammation, brain disorders. It is important to pay attention to the disease at its first symptoms in order to avoid complications and unfavorable outcomes.

Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory disease, with focal lesion respiratory sections of the lungs, intra-alveolar exudation, severe febrile reaction and intoxication of the body.

By frequency deaths Pneumonia ranks first among all infectious diseases. Until the discovery of penicillin, every third person who became ill died from the infection. Currently, about three million people suffer from pneumonia every year in the United States alone.

The disease can occur from various pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi. Therefore there is a large number of types of pneumonia, each of which has its own symptoms and course.

Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, runny nose, and weakness. The temperature rises, pain appears in the chest, and when coughing, sputum with pus and mucus is released.

Causes

How does pneumonia develop and what is it? The disease occurs when a microbe that can cause inflammation enters a weakened human body. The most common pathogen is pneumococcus (40 to 60%), staphylococcus (2 to 5%), streptococcus (2.5%). Atypical pathogens– , Legionella, chlamydia, Haemophilus influenzae, viruses. Parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, reoviruses and adenoviruses contribute to the development of the disease.

The etiology of the disease largely depends on the conditions of its occurrence (home, hospital, etc.), as well as on the person’s age, so these factors must be taken into account when prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia.

It has been proven that exposure to provoking factors increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia several times. The risk group includes adults with congestion, the elderly, weakened and exhausted patients with prolonged bed rest. Adults who smoke and abuse alcohol are especially susceptible to developing pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia

In the case of pneumonia, symptoms in adults largely depend on the cause of the disease and the extent of damage to the lung tissue. However, all types of pneumonia are characterized by common symptoms that are found to varying degrees in all patients.

TO typical first Signs of pneumonia include general intoxication syndrome (chills, fever, malaise) and bronchopulmonary-pleural syndrome (cough, dyspnea, sputum, auscultatory and percussion signs).

Common signs of pneumonia that should alert you:

persistent cough;
colds lasting more than 7 days, especially when improvement is followed by a sharp deterioration in the patient’s condition;
severe cough when taking deep breaths;
decreased appetite;
fever and runny nose, accompanied by pale skin;
general weakness, shortness of breath;
lack of positive dynamics and decrease in temperature when taking paracetamol (Eferalgan, Panadol, Tylenol).

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults appear sharply: the temperature rises to 40°C, the chest begins to hurt when inhaling and exhaling, a cough appears - first dry, then with sputum production.

The disease is dangerous because it is very difficult to diagnose and the time spent on making a diagnosis may be lost, which may lead to serious consequences. Pneumonia, the symptoms of which are often similar to those of a cold or flu, except in some patients (about every fifth) local signs There may not be pneumonia.

Therefore, when the first suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor, he will conduct a diagnosis, and then confirm or refute your suspicions. If it is pneumonia, a pulmonologist will tell you how to treat it correctly.

Lobar pneumonia - symptoms

Croupous pneumonia is a process that involves the entire lung lobe or most of it. Lobar pneumonia usually begins acutely and suddenly. Appears heat, chills, weakness, headache, and pain in the side, which increases with breathing and coughing. Severe shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest area, cough, and copious sputum are also characteristic. No runny nose.

A feverish blush is noticeable on the patient's face. Rapid breathing up to 30 or more per 1 minute. When breathing, swelling of the wings of the nose is noted. The patient takes a forced position on the painful side, as this limits breathing movements the diseased half of the chest, pain decreases, and breathing of a healthy lung becomes easier.

Hospitalization and patient compliance are required bed rest during the entire period of fever and intoxication. Patients should periodically change position in bed, which helps cough up mucus.

Focal pneumonia - symptoms

The onset is usually not acute; within a few days, manifestations of a viral infection predominate: a gradual increase in temperature to febrile levels, a runny nose, a dry cough or with sputum. mucous in nature, weakness.

Objective data when focal pneumonia characterized by increased respiration up to 25–30 per minute, tachycardia up to 100-110 beats. per minute, muffled heart sounds, harsh breathing, sonorous moist rales. In the presence of concomitant bronchitis scattered dry rales are heard; in case of addition of dry pleurisy - pleural friction noise.

Atypical pneumonia - symptoms

Symptoms of the disease depend on what pathogens it was caused by - mycoplasma, legionella or chlamydia. Mycoplasma pneumonia in children and adults manifests itself in the form of a sore throat, runny nose, and headache. Chest tightness and phlegm are not typical for this form of the disease.

Legionella atypical pneumonia is accompanied by a dry cough, chest pain, high fever, diarrhea, slow heart rate and kidney damage.

Pneumonia in adults without fever

In adults, pneumonia can occur without fever - this is a situation when following symptoms: weakness, shortness of breath, increased sweating, cough, but no temperature reaction. It usually occurs when the immune system is underactive.

If you continue to have a cough that bothers you for a long time after your illness, consult a doctor immediately to avoid complications.

Complications

Pneumonia can lead to the development of a number of consequences in the lungs:

acute respiratory failure;
broncho-obstructive syndrome;
acute vascular insufficiency(collapse);
acute respiratory distress syndrome (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema);
infectious-toxic shock.

Also to fatal outcome may lead to the development of cardiovascular failure.

Graft

Vaccination against pneumonia is given to children starting from the age of two. Prevention of inflammatory lung disease in children is essential component strategies to reduce child mortality in modern society. One of the most effective methods Prevention of pneumonia is vaccination.

The most popular vaccines against pneumonia include the French Pneumo-23 and the American Prevenar. The drugs are administered intramuscularly and subcutaneously. Adverse reactions possible in the form of swelling, redness, pain at the injection site. But in most cases, local manifestations quickly disappear.

Treatment of pneumonia

For pneumonia, treatment in adults usually depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, and the presence of complications. The need for hospitalization is determined by the doctor.

During the period of acute phenomena, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, drink warm drinks, eat high-calorie foods, rich in vitamins. It is also useful to consume fruit, vegetable, berry juices and vitamin teas, as well as fruit drinks from cranberries, currants, and gooseberries. If necessary, oxygen inhalations may be prescribed, as well as expectorants in the presence of viscous, difficult-to-clear sputum.

The main treatment for pneumonia is taking antibiotics. Antibacterial therapy should be prescribed as early as possible, without waiting for the pathogen to be identified. The choice of antibiotic is carried out by the doctor, nothing self-treatment at home is out of the question.

Until recently, ampicillin was most often used in combination with clavulanic acid - Augmentin. However, current data indicate high resistance to these antibiotics. New generation macrolides are taking first place. If the drug was chosen correctly, then within a day there will be an improvement. general condition and the temperature normalizes. In this case, pneumonia is treated for 5-6 days.

Treatment of pneumonia with folk remedies in adults is only possible as an additional treatment, but not the main one. It is recommended to consume large amounts of onions and garlic, honey, propolis, rose hips, elderberries, and raspberries. In the absence of timely and appropriate treatment, pneumonia causes severe intoxication of the body, as well as various complications– pleurisy, lung abscess, acute respiratory failure and other unpleasant consequences.

Unfortunately, pneumonia is quite common. very sensitive to all kinds of infections, bacteria and fungi. Many people often ask the question: “What are the symptoms of pneumonia?” Does the temperature have to be high? Many diseases are latent. Often in hidden form proceeds and Symptoms without fever significantly complicate the diagnosis.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is serious disease respiratory organs, which affects the lung tissue. This condition can be provoked by streptococci, staphylococci, other bacteria, chlamydia, legionella, some fungi (for example, candida), influenza viruses, herpes. The infection does not “settle” in the nasopharynx, but descends below, causing an inflammatory process in the lungs. The waste products of pathogens, which are essentially toxins, poison the body. Particular harm is caused to the central nervous system, heart and bloodstream organs. Pathogens enter the body through airborne droplets. Often the disease can be caused by bacteria that inhabit the upper respiratory tract.

Causes

Pneumonia mainly develops against a background of weakened immunity and respiratory diseases. With significant hypothermia, the body's defenses are weakened, and harmful microbes easily penetrate into the lung tissue. In addition, overwork poor nutrition, absence essential vitamins and minerals, stress and strong emotional outbursts also contribute to the development of diseases such as pneumonia. Symptoms (without temperature or with a significant increase in temperature), cough should alert the patient. The danger of the latent course of the disease is that there is a high risk of all kinds of complications (damage to the central nervous system and cerebral cortex, decreased levels of red blood cells in the blood) and so on. They don’t pay much attention to a mild illness; it is easy to confuse it with other similar ailments.

Types of pneumonia

Classic symptoms of pneumonia

Pneumonia is the most common complication of acute respiratory diseases. As an independent disease during infections, it is not so widespread. What are the first symptoms of pneumonia? A cough that is constant, and over time it becomes hacking, with sputum. The body temperature rises significantly, the person shudders. Often paracetamol has no effect. It becomes difficult to breathe; trying to take a deep breath provokes a coughing attack. It is worth paying attention to the bluish tint of the skin around the mouth and wings of the nose. If the cold does not go away after a week, or the symptoms worsen, the doctor may also suspect pneumonia. Knowing what symptoms of pneumonia are most common will help you consult a doctor in time. After all, this disease is extremely dangerous, especially in young children.

Unfortunately, it is widely believed that pneumonia is a disease in which high fever is required. Its absence misleads people; they do not even suspect that a disease such as pneumonia is already developing. Symptoms without fever characterize atypical pneumonia. General lethargy, fatigue, headache, nausea - a person often turns a blind eye to all these signs. In addition, pneumonia can be suspected if breathing becomes heavy, chest pain is felt, and shortness of breath appears. A cough that does not go away for a long time should alert you. All this constitutes the main features. Pneumonia (symptoms are often contradictory) requires full examination to confirm the diagnosis, including x-ray examination and a blood test to determine the level of white blood cells.

Pneumonia in children

How does pneumonia occur in children? The disease has its own characteristics. has the following: lethargy, restlessness, bad dream and appetite. Atypical pneumonia characterized by the fact that the child constantly wants to sleep, he literally falls asleep on the go. He will not perform his usual actions and does not want to play if he develops pneumonia. Symptoms (without fever) also include increased sweating, pain in different areas bodies. Children during illness become more capricious. If there is a suspicion of ordinary pneumonia, Komarovsky identifies the following symptoms: prolonged cough, high body temperature does not go away after 3-4 days. You can do a little test. If breathing is involved large quantity muscles, it seems to be difficult, then pneumonia may develop. To make a diagnosis, you should consult a pediatrician. A blood test is required to determine the level of leukocytes.

Treatment

If an appropriate diagnosis is made, therapy should be started immediately. Atypical pneumonia is well treated with antibiotics, which are selected depending on the type of pathogen. On average, the duration of treatment is approximately 10 days. Additionally, the doctor prescribes special drugs From cough. They help thin mucus. Incorrectly selected medications (if the patient decides to prescribe them himself) will only intensify coughing attacks and make it harsh. If you have a high temperature, you can take antipyretic medications yourself. Drinking plenty of warm fluids is recommended throughout the illness. If the patient's age is less than 60 years and there are no accompanying diseases, then therapy can be carried out at home. Indications for hospitalization are the risk of complications, severe form of the disease, and age over 60 years. In addition to antibacterial therapy a specialist can prescribe breathing exercises, vitamin preparations, massage and physical therapy.

Actions that should not be performed if you have pneumonia

If all the signs are found (pneumonia symptoms are quite characteristic) of this disease, then it is important to remember what absolutely cannot be done. First of all, you should not take antibiotics on your own. Only at full clinical picture with an established type of pathogen, the specialist prescribes necessary medications. You cannot warm up the chest. Bathhouse, sauna and hot tubs are located under strict ban. Cough medicines are also prescribed only by a doctor. If your body temperature does not exceed 37.5 °C, then you should not take antipyretic drugs. You need to give your body the opportunity to fight pneumonia on its own. Large physical exercise, lack of bed rest will only worsen the course of the disease. Even if hospitalization is not needed, you should not endure the disease on your feet.

Pneumonia in animals

Pneumonia often occurs in animals. It is very important to know that this condition is a direct threat to the pet’s life. the symptoms are similar to those observed in humans. First of all, a cough develops. In addition, the animal loses activity and refuses to eat. What other symptoms of pneumonia can be observed? One of them is high temperature. To confirm the diagnosis, an X-ray examination is performed. the symptoms are the same. However, often four-legged friends keep their habitual activity and lead a seemingly normal life. In a stable condition, when the animal is active and has a normal appetite, therapy is carried out at home. If the cat or dog is passive and does not eat well, then until the condition normalizes, treatment occurs in a hospital. Everything is like people. It happens to our smaller friends and requires ventilation. As in the case of humans, treatment of cats and dogs is not complete without the use of antibacterial drugs. Additionally, physiotherapy is indicated to promote sputum separation. If therapy is carried out at home, you should pay attention to weather. Walking in damp weather is not advisable, rainy weather. It is important to complete the course of antibiotics as recommended by your veterinarian.

Pneumonia in adults and children (pneumonia) ranks first among inflammatory diseases person. It is an infectious pathology.

Pneumonia includes a group of bacterial and viral diseases of different symptoms, but similar in localization of inflammatory processes that develop in tissue structure lungs. Among similar pathologies, it occupies a leading place in mortality.

Forms and characteristics of pneumonia in adults

Characteristic inflammatory reactions in the pulmonary system is due to various forms of their manifestations and the severity of clinical signs.

Acute inflammation– possible independent manifestation caused by infection, or as a result of complications of background pathologies. The inflammatory response begins in bronchial system, spreading gradually into the structure of the lung tissue, affecting the vessels.

The incidence is characterized by seasonality - during the period of progression of colds.

A form of chronic pneumonia caused by a gradually developing inflammatory process. The constant, gradual development of inflammatory reactions goes beyond the focal boundaries of the lesion, spreading to a large tissue area of the bronchi and lung tissue.

Cause of development chronic course illness, may be caused by incompletely resolved foci of inflammation remaining after acute inflammatory processes in the organ.

Usually originates chronic process V childhood. This form of the disease occurs rarely.

Form of lobar manifestation pneumonia in adults is characterized acute inflammation, affecting the entire lung or a large part of it. Destructive processes in its tissues occur cyclically, in stages expressed:

Increased blood flow to the capillaries followed by a slowdown for 12 hours or two days.
Red hepatization (compaction of the lung parenchyma) caused by the coagulation of red blood cells (diapedesis) and the filling of the lumen of the alveoli with them and fibrins, depriving them of airiness. The duration of the process is up to three days.
Gray hepatization, manifested by granularity and gray-green color lung, due to the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli, consisting of their epithelium and leukocyte cells. The duration of the process is up to a week.
The last stage is characterized by the resorption of fibrin and leukocytes in the lumens of the alveoli and their partial removal with sputum during expectoration. Over time, airiness returns to the alveoli, but the swelling of the alveolar septa and the density of the lung tissue persist for a long time.

Focal pneumonia combines several forms of the disease. The connecting link of all forms is the localization of inflammation in a separate pulmonary area and its non-spread to other segments of the organ. Sometimes there is a fusion of foci of inflammation (confluent pneumonia).

Causes and mechanism of origin

The cause of the development of inflammatory reactions in the pulmonary structure is most often a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens.

Among the adult population, there is a certain category that constitutes a risk group for developing the disease. This fact is due to:

the presence of chronic pulmonary pathologies;
disorders in the cardiovascular system;
chronic immunodeficiencies caused by frequent bacterial and viral infections;
neuroses and depression;
endocrine pathologies;
malignant neoplasms;
as a result of aspiration symptoms, surgical interventions(lungs, chest, peritoneum);
long stay in one position (bedridden patients);
drug addiction, alcoholism and nicotine addiction;
age factor (after 60 years).

Inflammatory reactions in the parenchyma of an organ can occur either independently or as a consequence of complications of other diseases. Penetration of infectious agents into the lungs occurs in various ways:

1) Microaspiration- the main route of infection. Even the most healthy people The oropharynx contains many microorganisms that do not cause harm to humans. Sometimes these include pathogens.

For many people, during sleep, a small dose of oropharyngeal secretion enters the respiratory tract, bringing with it an infection. If protective functions organisms work at the proper level, they easily remove provocative secretions.

Otherwise, the sterility of the lung tissue is disrupted and an inflammatory process develops - pneumonia in adults.

2) By inhalation high concentration microorganisms with air. This route of infection is typical for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia, during a long stay in the hospital department where patients with pneumonia are treated.

3) By hematogenous route – spread of infection from another source of infection through the bloodstream. Common reason infections in drug addicts and in patients suffering from infectious inflammatory processes in the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).

4) Penetration of infection from nearby organs, with purulent-inflammatory processes in the liver or similar pathology pericardium, or as a consequence of penetrating injury.

Due to the penetration of the pathogen into pulmonary system Damage to the alveolar membrane and disruption of their functions occurs, leading to insufficient gas exchange between air and blood, disruption of the formation of surfactants, and decreased immune functions.

At the same time, in the inflamed area there is a violation of blood circulation and disruptions in the functions of bronchial tissues, which ensure the release and removal of mucus from the lungs. It is these changes that contribute to the manifestation various symptoms pneumonia in an adult.

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults

The manifestation of symptoms of pneumonia in adults depends on many reasons - the conditions for the development of the disease, the type of pathogen, the course and prevalence of the inflammatory process. They are characterized by typical (pulmonary) and atypical (extrapulmonary signs. General symptoms appear:

Cough with copious, wet sputum. In older patients it may be dry.
Moderate shortness of breath during exercise.
Discomfort and painful sensations at the site of localization of the inflammatory reaction.
Signs of diaphragmatic irritation, abdominal pain and rapid breathing (if the inflammation process is in lower section lung tissue).
Increased pain symptoms with coughing, shortness of breath and full breathing or movement (a consequence of fluid effusion into the pleural cavity).
Violation of hemodynamic functions;
Signs of cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle.

Like most infectious pathologies, the disease may be accompanied by intoxication syndrome, manifested by extrapulmonary symptoms:

hyperthermia;
deterioration of general condition;
rapid fatigue and weakness;
headache;
joint and muscle discomfort.

The first signs of pneumonia in adults

The initial signs of the disease are not easy to recognize. They may not exist at all, appear rarely or be mild. It all depends on the type of pathogen. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the changes occurring in the body.

The first signs may appear:

weakness and fatigue;
slight increase in temperature;
manifestation of dyspnea (lack of air);
prolonged cough (for several days).

If a disease is not noticed in time, it threatens to become severe form with extensive symptoms.

Pneumonia without fever or symptoms

Pneumonia may occur in adults without signs of fever. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, general malaise, frequent headaches, lack of appetite and shortness of breath.

Cough manifests itself in different ways. At the beginning of the disease it can be dry and intrusive, later with sputum production, which is a favorable sign.

Sometimes the cough is minor but painful with signs of increasing shortness of breath. Such signs indicate the accumulation of sputum in the bronchial system and the impossibility of removing it, which threatens the development of obstruction in the respiratory tract.

An unfavorable factor is also an increase in shortness of breath - evidence of stagnation of blood in the lungs or the development of intoxication syndrome. This condition is dangerous due to stagnation of liquid leaking from circulatory system organ in its tissue, causing swelling of the respiratory organ.

Very often, pneumonia occurs in adults without symptoms or with minimal symptoms, which in itself is dangerous. This pathology is called hypostatic, caused by stagnant blood processes in the lungs (in immobile patients).

Due to blood soaking through vascular walls Swelling of the bronchioles and alveoli is formed, their tissue is loosened, which ensures easy penetration of pathogens into the organ.

Symptoms may masquerade as signs of the underlying disease that caused prolonged immobility sick.

In addition, the manifestation of cough can be minor, but painful. What to look for Special attention, since with such a development of the disease, the development of complications in the form of a lung abscess or purulent pleurisy is not excluded.

Complication of pneumonia in an adult

The development of complications of pneumonia in adults can occur not only after the disease itself, but also at the time of its manifestation. acute form. Manifesting both pulmonary and extrapulmonary pathologies:

Destruction of lung tissue due to the formation of cavities of various sizes that tend to suppurate.
Impaired bronchial obstruction caused by edema (obstruction).
Exudative inflammation of the pleura and serous tissue surrounding the lung, which can provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Damage to all tissues and organs due to cardiac dysfunction.
Signs of myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis.
Inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain.
Septic shock - next pathological disorders in the respiratory, nervous, cardiac and vascular systems.
Cardiogenic edema and sepsis, spread of infection through the bloodstream.

If treatment is not timely and adequate, such complications can lead to death.

Diagnostic examination

It is impossible to diagnose pneumonia by symptoms alone, since they are similar to many signs of disease respiratory system. Connect to diagnostics:

general and biochemical research blood and sputum;
X-ray examination of existing pathological changes V lung tissues and places of their localization;
fibrobronchoscopy and CT examination of the chest;
identification of the pathogen by blood culture.

In complicated cases, a pulmonologist is involved in the examination.

Treatment of pneumonia in adults

The basic principle of therapy is complex treatment, aimed at stopping inflammatory reactions in lung tissues.

Drug treatment

The choice of antibiotics for pneumonia in adults is determined by the type of bacterial pathogen. The most effective are Levofloxacin, Sumamed, Avelox, Cefix or Amrxiclav. Depending on the course of the disease, combinations of these may be prescribed. In severe cases, they are combined with taking the drugs Tenavik or Leflocin.
Expectorants are prescribed for signs of a wet cough and difficulty in passing viscous sputum.
The severe course of the process is stopped by detoxification and glucocorticosteroid drugs aimed at eliminating toxic shock.
At critical temperatures, antipyretic drugs are used.
Severe shortness of breath and severe oxygen starvation syndrome can be relieved with cardiovascular medications.
Multivitamins and immunomodulators are prescribed to strengthen the immune system.

The dosage of drugs and the course of treatment are determined by the doctor purely individually. To ease breathing, patients are prescribed a number of physiotherapeutic courses:

oxygen therapy;
therapy artificial respiration– mechanical ventilation;
various inhalation techniques

Surgery for inflammation of the lung tissue is used in complicated processes caused by purulent accumulation in the organ.

The basis for the prevention of pneumonia in adults is the elimination of hypothermia and systematic hardening of the body. Other factors are also important:

timely treatment of infectious diseases;
special breathing exercises;
flu vaccination and streptococcal vaccination (elderly people - 65 years old);
minimizing the inhalation of harmful substances and dust.

Self-medication for this disease is unacceptable, as it complicates and lengthens the healing process, can lead to death.

Pneumonia: ICD 10 code

In the international classification of diseases of the 10th revision, pneumonia is:

Class X. Respiratory diseases

J10-J18 - Flu and pneumonia

J18 - Pneumonia without specifying the causative agent

J18.0 - Bronchopneumonia, unspecified
J18.1 - Lobar pneumonia, unspecified
J18.2 - hypostatic pneumonia, unspecified
J18.8 - Other pneumonia, causative agent not specified
J18.9 - Pneumonia, unspecified