Treatment of pleuropneumonia

Inflammation of the thoracic membrane and lungs is called pleuropneumonia or lobar pneumonia. This is an acute infectious disease that affects one or two lobes of the lungs, exudate appears in their alveoli, and the pleura is covered with films of fibrin - an insoluble fibrous protein with the help of which blood clotting occurs. The causative agents of the disease are pneumococci of types I-IV, and its development often occurs against the background of decreased immunity and is characterized by a rapid onset, scale and severity of the course. Pleuropneumonia requires immediate treatment in a hospital. [ 1 ]

Treatment methods

The first days of the infection are characterized by high fever, difficulty breathing, severe coughing that appears on the 3rd-4th day of illness, sputum production, and chest pain.

Treatment started in time can stop the inflammatory process and prevent it from developing into a life-threatening form. This is facilitated by a comprehensive examination using modern diagnostic methods, placement in a ward equipped with an air conditioning system, selection of antibiotics based on the type of pathogen, prescription of vasodilators and sputum thinners, corticosteroids, oxygen, and immune replacement therapy.

In severe cases, the patient is placed in intensive care, the rooms of which are equipped with cardiac monitors that allow monitoring the work of the heart and respiratory organs, and an artificial lung ventilation apparatus.

Medicines

The treatment protocol for croupous inflammation involves the simultaneous use of two antibiotics: one intravenously and one intramuscularly. The therapy is usually carried out with the drugs described below.

Ceftriaxone - belongs to the pharmacological group of cephalosporins of the third generation, has a wide spectrum of action. The drug is injected once a day. For children from 15 days of birth to 12 years, the dose is determined at the rate of 20-80 mg per kilogram of body weight, after this age, 1-2 g is prescribed.

Ceftriaxone is contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to this type of antibiotics, premature babies up to 41 weeks with intrauterine development, full-term babies up to 28 days with jaundice or those who are to be administered calcium supplements. It is not prescribed to pregnant women, especially in the 1st trimester, during lactation. [ 2 ]

Side effects were observed in the form of diarrhea, rash, shortness of breath, anemia, headache, increased liver function tests;

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone, used in a dose of 400 mg, divided into 2-3 injections per day, for children according to the formula 10 mg / kg of weight 3 times. Among the side effects are local around the injection point, rash, bowel disorders, flatulence, pain in the epigastrium, anxiety, fever, increased transaminases, dizziness, tremor, rarely convulsions, impaired renal function. [ 3 ]

The drug is contraindicated in case of allergy to its components, pregnant women and during lactation. It can affect the central nervous system, and thus the ability to drive a car.

Ciprolet - is administered intravenously by slow drip, the duration of infusion is 60 minutes. The dosage is 200-400 mg twice a day. It is not used for children under 18 years of age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects most often manifest as nausea, diarrhea, skin rashes. In less than 1% of cases, other ailments were observed: pain in the abdomen, limbs, back, candidiasis, increased blood pressure, tachycardia, sweating, sleep disorders.

Cefazolin is a powder for injection, a semi-synthetic antibiotic. For moderate infections, the recommended dose for adults is 1 g every 12 hours, in more severe situations 0.5-1 g every 6-8 hours. For children from 1 month, it is calculated as follows: 20-50 mg per kilogram of weight, divided into 3-4 injections. If necessary, increase to a maximum of 90-100 mg.

Side effects are possible and manifest themselves as rashes, itching of the skin, edema, development of dysbacteriosis, jaundice, increased levels of ALT, AST, pale skin, general weakness. Not recommended for use by pregnant and lactating women.

Tsifran is a solution for droppers from the fluoroquinolone group. 200 mg (30 minutes) can be administered once or, if necessary, increased to 400 mg (hour) with a frequency of 2 times a day. The drug is contraindicated for children and adolescents, expectant mothers, and during breastfeeding. Side effects are the same as for previous antibiotics.

Mustard plasters

Treatment of pleuropneumonia is always a comprehensive approach, using antibacterial, mucolytic, bronchodilators. At the same time, mustard plasters still have a place in therapy. They are not used in the acute phase, but when the temperature is reduced to 37 ⁰ and below, their reflex action can help fight inflammation.

Mustard oil applied to paper causes hyperemia in the places where it is adjacent to the body, while the blood vessels expand, including those in the lungs, blood microcirculation increases, inflammatory infiltrate is removed, and immunity is stimulated.

They are applied to and under the shoulder blades, chest, avoiding the heart and spine area, preferably at night, after soaking in warm water. Adults can apply directly to the body, children should have gauze soaked in vegetable oil placed under them to avoid burns. Polyethylene film is placed over the mustard plasters, then insulated with a towel.

The procedure lasts 5 minutes for small children, 10 minutes for teenagers, and 20 minutes for adults. After removing the mustard plasters, wipe the skin dry and cover yourself with a blanket.

Vitamins

Pleuropneumonia is a very serious disease and the body needs support at this time. Vitamins C, A, E, group B, as well as minerals: iron, calcium, zinc help to resist infection. In addition to including foods rich in them in the diet (lemons, oranges, kiwi, currants, raspberries, cabbage, liver, fish, butter, olive oil, buckwheat), it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes that contain a balance of all the beneficial elements necessary for the body.

Physiotherapy treatment

The use of physiotherapy for pleuropneumonia along with medication reduces the time of therapy and prevents complications. Severe progression of the disease requires the use of oxygen therapy - inhalation of oxygen.

The ultraviolet irradiation method can be used even during the period of unfinished febrile state. Its action is directed to the affected area of the lung daily for 2-3 weeks.

7-8 days after acute symptoms, UHF irradiation is prescribed, in a course of up to 15 procedures. From the second week, electrophoresis with fibrinolysin-heparin is used.

Thermal procedures (warming compresses, mustard plasters) have a good effect on the pleura. Therapeutic gymnastics, including breathing exercises, and massage prevent the formation of adhesions. Inhalations with a nebulizer are also effective; in hospital settings, group electroaerosol ones are used.

Folk remedies

Treatment of pleuropneumonia with folk remedies can in no way replace the entire range of therapeutic measures described above, but can speed up recovery, since it is aimed at thinning phlegm and quickly removing it from the body, combating the inflammatory process, and strengthening the immune system. For this, summer preparations are used: raspberries, currants, dried fruits, rose hips, as well as lemons and honey. Drinking plenty of fluids with their participation (decoctions, infusions, tinctures) is a necessary condition for combating intoxication of the body.

Herbal treatment

There are many plants and herbs in nature that have anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, expectorant properties. Among them are elder flowers, linden, coltsfoot, licorice root, plantain, wild rosemary. Pharmacies sell herbal cough infusions, teas from which will help overcome the disease.

Homeopathy

In homeopathy, the following are used to treat lung diseases:

• Aconitum napellus (blue aconite) at the fever stage with a strong dry cough;
• Ferrum phosphoricum (iron phosphate) in cases of chest pain, expectoration of blood;
• Bryonia alba (white bryony) during the period of exudate formation;
• Veratrum viride (Green Hellebore) is effective in cases of difficulty breathing, weakness, cold sweat.

Diet

Although patients with pneumonia do not have a good appetite, nutrition should be organized in such a way as to help the body cope with the disease.

If in the first most difficult days you need to drink as much liquid as possible (up to 2 liters per day), preferably juices, uzvar, teas containing vitamin C, then in the following days products rich in vitamin A are important, since it has a beneficial effect on the epithelium of the respiratory tract. For this, butter, liver, egg yolk, and bell pepper are included in the diet.

Sauerkraut, meat broth, and pickles will help stimulate your appetite. To restore the intestinal microflora, you will need fermented milk products, porridge, wholemeal bread, boiled fish and meat.

Surgical treatment

The development of purulent complications, a large accumulation of pleural fluid forces it to be pumped out, installing a drainage system. A liter of fluid can be pumped out at a time, otherwise the internal organs may shift.

In order not to further traumatize the patient, a special port system is installed, connected to a drainage tube, in contact with the pleura. This makes it possible not only to remove fluid, but also to deliver medicinal substances directly to the diseased organ.

Rehabilitation

Restoring the functions of the lungs and pleura will require a considerable period of time and certain efforts to help return them to normal. Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy methods, breathing exercises, medication, vitamin complexes, and a balanced diet. The doctor should periodically monitor the condition of his patient.

Prevention

The best preventive measure against pneumonia is pneumococcal vaccination. It is also necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, harden yourself, spend a lot of time outdoors, and eat well. It is necessary to pay attention to upper respiratory tract infections and take measures to eliminate them.

Clinical examination

Patients who have had pleuropneumonia are registered with a dispensary. The dispensary includes control examinations of patients, rehabilitation procedures. It lasts 6 months, you need to visit a doctor with a frequency of 1, 3, 6 months.

During this period, general and biochemical blood tests are monitored, sputum analysis, fluorography, and measurement of respiratory volumes of the lungs are performed. If necessary, consultations with other specialists are prescribed.

As for health-improving measures, we recommend a specialized sanatorium, exercise therapy, and vitamin therapy.

Forecast

Timely treatment with antibiotics, the presence of the pleural puncture method makes the prognosis of pleuropneumonia favorable. But the disease is very insidious, improper treatment, complications with other diagnoses, old age, immunodeficiency can lead to death.