Influenza pneumonia

Influenza pneumonia is an inflammation of one or both of the lungs, which is caused by an acute viral infection. If you are concerned about influenza pneumonia, air pouches of the lungs are filled with pus and other infected liquids. This makes it difficult to breathe, blood is very poorly replenished with oxygen, which makes a person feel weak and lethargic.

If there is too little oxygen in your blood, your body's cells can not reproduce properly. Due to the fact that the infection can spread throughout the body, pneumonia can lead to death. It is very important to know that the risk of death from pneumonia or influenza is higher in people with heart disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system.

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Which influenza viruses cause pneumonia?

The four most common etiologies of viral pneumonia in children and adults are caused by the immunocompetent influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus and parainfluenza virus (PIV). Types of influenza A and B viruses account for more than half of all community-acquired influenza pneumonia of a viral nature, especially during outbreaks of influenza.

Causes of influenza pneumonia

Pneumonia is caused by more than one reason. More than 30 different agents can lead to pneumonia, but the most common ones are bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, other infectious agents, such as fungi. Approximately half of the cases of influenza pneumonia, according to doctors, are caused by viruses. They can lead to less severe illnesses, pneumonia caused by bacteria. Most pneumonias in children under the age of 15 are due to viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

[3], [4], [5], [6]

High-risk groups of influenza pneumonia

1. Physicians consider elderly people (over 65 years old) to be at the highest risk of developing pneumonia.
2. The second place in the risk group is occupied by children of younger preschool and school age, whose immune system is not yet fully formed.
3. Further in the high-risk group, people with chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
4. A high risk of getting influenza pneumonia in patients with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS, as well as those who are being treated for cancer.

Symptoms of viral pneumonia

Pneumonia is often akin to influenza, starting with fever and coughing, so you may not understand what exactly you are sick with. Symptoms may vary depending on your age and general health.

Symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Too high or, conversely, lower than normal body temperature in the elderly
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Chills
• Pain in the chest, which intensifies with deep breathing (pleurisy)
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue

Because the symptoms of influenza pneumonia can be very serious, consult a doctor as soon as possible if you have persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever - especially 39 C or higher with chills and sweating. Also, consult a doctor if you suddenly feel worse after having a cold or flu.

Diagnosis of influenza pneumonia

Pneumonia can be diagnosed when the doctor, when examining the patient and listening with a stethoscope, hears a rough breathing or crackling when listening to a part of the chest. He can hear wheezing or faint sounds of breathing in a particular area of the chest.

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X-rays of light

The lung X-ray is usually prescribed to confirm the diagnosis of "pneumonia". In the lungs there are several segments, which are called lobes. They are located, as a rule, two on the left and three on the right. When pneumonia affects one of these lobes, it is diagnosed as croupous pneumonia.

In some types of influenza pneumonia, the distribution is not uniform and is not associated with specific lobes of the lungs. When both lungs are infected, the term "double pneumonia" is used.

Samples of sputum

They can be collected for study under a microscope. Such an analysis can detect pneumonia caused by bacteria or fungi. A sample of sputum is kept by physicians in special incubators, and the character of pneumonia is determined by its growth and development.

It is important to understand that for a better analysis, sputum should contain a little saliva from the mouth and be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible or taken directly to the laboratory.

Blood test

A doctor can prescribe a blood test, which measures the number of white blood cells. White blood cells of a person - leukocytes, will tell you how hard it is for pneumonia and whether it is caused by bacteria or viruses. An increase in the number of neutrophils, a type of leukocyte, is observed in most bacterial infections, while an increase in the level of lymphocytes, another type of leukocytes, occurs in viral and fungal infections, as well as some bacterial infections (eg, tuberculosis).

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]

Bronchoscopy

This type of diagnosis of influenza pneumonia is a procedure in which a thin flexible lighted tube is inserted into the nose or mouth after a local anesthetic is injected. With the help of this device, the doctor can directly examine the respiratory tract ( trachea and bronchi ). At the same time, he takes samples of sputum or tissue from the infected part of the lung.

Sometimes as a result of inflammation due to pneumonia, fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity around the lung. This disease is called pleurisy.

If a significant amount of fluid accumulates in the lungs, it can be removed during bronchoscopy. After local anesthesia, the needle is inserted into the cavity of the chest, after which the pleural fluid is withdrawn and studied under a microscope. This procedure is called pleurocentesis. To prevent complications from this procedure, ultrasound is often used.

In some cases, this fluid may indicate severe pneumonia (parapneumonic effusion) or infected lungs (empyema). For its pumping out, more aggressive surgical procedures may be used than bronchoscopy. One of the methods of pumping an infected fluid from the lungs is thoracoscopic surgery.

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Treatment of influenza pneumonia

In the treatment of influenza, antibiotics are not used, but in the treatment of influenza pneumonia, yes. They are prescribed in combination with sulfanilamides. And also, if necessary, prescribe cardiovascular drugs, because pneumonia and influenza give a very high burden on the cardiovascular system. Among such drugs - camphor, funds with caffeine for those who have low blood pressure, cordiamin. The doctor can also prescribe cough suppressants, for example, codeine, and expectorants, for example, thermopsis, to relieve the symptoms of influenza pneumonia.

If necessary, sedatives are also prescribed, since pneumonia has a negative effect on the state of the central nervous system. Among these drugs - sleeping pills for better sleep (a person in a dream is treated) and bromides, strengthening the nervous system.

Influenza pneumonia is a serious disease that develops against the background of the flu. To properly heal from it, you must always consult a doctor to remain under his control in a hospital.