The concept of pneumonia includes a number of diseases localized in one or two pulmonary lobes, the causative agents of which are viruses, fungi, microbes, toxic substances and even prolonged exposure to chemical compounds.
Pneumonia occurs against a background of a decrease in the immune system and can occur with both pronounced symptoms and asymptomatic.
The development of asymptomatic pneumonia occurs against the background of a general inflammatory process, with localization in one of the segments of the lung. Given the characteristics of the course of the disease, timely diagnosis in most cases is impossible. The patient does not experience discomfort in the chest area, and a cough in history is also not observed.
Can there be pneumonia without coughing
Pneumonia, in which the patient does not complain of asthma attacks, is called "hidden" or "silent." Pulmonologists note that in the anamnesis of patients there is not only a cough, but also discomfort in the chest area.
A distinctive feature of latent pneumonia is the inability to timely diagnose the disease and begin treatment. This fact leads to a number of complications, and in some cases to death.
Experts say that most patients are not familiar with the symptoms of latent pneumonia, which is the cause of the negative consequences.
How to get pneumonia, risk groups
One of the most common causes of asymptomatic pneumonia is self-medication. The decision to take antibiotics without consulting a doctor and monitoring the course of the disease does not lead to recovery.
Inflammatory processes in the lungs subside, and improperly selected drugs weaken the immune system. Such conditions are favorable for the latent development of pneumonia.
In addition, pulmonologists note a number of other reasons that provoke an asymptomatic course of the disease:
- prolonged inflammatory process in the body;
- chronic diseases;
- surgical intervention;
- violation of the process of discharge of sputum;
- immunodeficiency virus infection;
- alcoholism;
- frequent acute respiratory infections.
Each of these causes is accompanied by a sharp decrease in immunity, which allows pneumonia to develop actively without pronounced symptoms.
Experts note that they are most often prone to the occurrence of this disease:
- elderly patients;
- people with chronic diseases;
- patients after serious surgery;
- people with congenital pathologies of the bronchi and lungs;
- immunocompromised patients.
Symptoms
Despite the absence of obvious symptoms, it is possible to identify a disease in its early stages if you carefully consider changes in your body.
Symptoms of pneumonia without coughing in adults are several indirect signs.
- Dyspnea. Its sudden occurrence may indicate the development of the disease in the pulmonary lobes. Patients often report the onset of this symptom with silent pneumonia.
- Heart palpitations. The inflammatory process localized in the lungs has a negative effect on the whole body. In the diagnosis of latent inflammation, a frequent symptom is an increase in heartbeat with weak physical exertion, even in patients who have not previously suffered from cardiovascular diseases.
- Mild pain. Pain in the lungs is weak and appears only with a sharp breath.
- Pale skin of the face. Inflammatory processes can affect the hemoglobin content in the blood. Pale skin integument is the first sign of its lowering and may indicate the development of latent pneumonia.
- Whistling in the lungs. Some patients report whistling sounds when inhaling and exhaling.
- Fast fatiguability. Any inflammatory process affects the level of human performance, disrupting the normal functioning of the body.
- Violation of sleep patterns.
Generally not observed in patients with pneumonia without fever. 37 - sometimes, although pulmonologists note that with latent pneumonia this is rare. Yes, and it is almost impossible to detect such symptoms, since the patient blames everything on ordinary fatigue or a cold.
Diagnosis of latent pneumonia
Diagnosis of latent pneumonia is possible in the early stages of the development of the disease with timely access to medical care.
The diagnosis is made by a pulmonologist. It is he who knows exactly how to recognize pneumonia. The specialist makes a diagnosis based on:
- initial inspection;
- interrogation and analysis of symptoms;
- listening to the bronchi and lungs with a stethoscope;
- laboratory tests of blood and urine;
- fluorographic diagnostics;
- laboratory examination of sputum;
- echocardiography;
- electrocardiography.
Diagnosis without further research is not possible. During analyzes and fluorography, the form and stage of the disease is detected, without which the necessary therapy cannot be prescribed.
One of the important steps before starting treatment is an analysis that identifies allergic reactions to an antibiotic proposed by a doctor for the treatment of asymptomatic pneumonia. Without this study, a pulmonologist cannot guarantee the absence of complications due to an improperly selected drug.
If necessary, additional or repeated clinical trials may be prescribed during treatment of nosocomial pneumonia.
Treatment
After a diagnosis is established, a patient with signs of pneumonia without coughing is prescribed therapy. Pulmonologists use broad-spectrum antibiotics that have a detrimental effect on most harmful bacteria. Drugs are selected based on the characteristics of the disease and the patient’s body, which allows to achieve high efficiency and reduce the risks of side effects.
Often, experts prescribe amoxicillin-based antibacterial drugs. This choice is due to the wide spectrum of action of this medication.
An alternative in the treatment of pneumonia without coughing may be:
- Spiramycin
- Roxithromycin;
- "Azithromycin";
- Clarithromycin.
A feature of these drugs is the ability to penetrate into cells, which contributes to the effect on harmful microorganisms from the inside.
The period of taking the funds is determined by the pulmonologist and, if necessary, appoints a replacement for the weak drug.
Immunomodulatory
In combination with antibiotic therapy, immunomodulating agents and antioxidants are used. This approach to the treatment of asymptomatic pneumonia allows you to eliminate the main cause of the disease - low immunity. Both the disease itself and antibacterial therapy have a negative effect on it, which is impossible to do without.
Experts use a number of drugs that can start the immune system:
- T-activin;
- "Diutsifon";
- "Prodigiozan";
- "Zadit";
- Anabol.
Reception of immunomodulators is shown during the entire period of treatment: from the first days until the end of the rehabilitation period.
Antioxidants
In addition to suppressing immunity, latent pneumonia has a negative effect on membrane compounds, disrupting their integrity. To correct membrane disorders, pulmonologists use antioxidants, which are most often represented by Emoxipin.
Physiotherapeutic procedures are an addition to drug therapy. Their goal is the elimination of inflammatory processes provoked by asymptomatic pneumonia.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can increase the body's resistance and inhibit the activity of harmful bacteria. Inflammation of the lungs without coughing can be influenced by physiotherapeutic procedures such as:
- Decimeter wave therapy.
- UHF
- Inductothermy.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Warming procedures.
- UV irradiation.
- Electrophoresis
In addition, in therapeutic practice with nosocomial pneumonia, a nebulizer is actively used, which helps to increase the area of exposure to medications.
For treatment, alkaline solutions and expectorants are used. The former contribute to the dilution of sputum, which facilitates its elimination and prevents stagnation, and expectorant drugs that enter the body through the upper respiratory tract can quickly remove it.
In modern therapy, massages are used to facilitate the removal of sputum and relieve cramps, alleviating the patient's condition. Such manipulations are carried out only by a certified specialist who has received permission to practice.
Conclusion
Inflammation of the lungs without a cough is a serious disease that can threaten a person’s life. Faced with symptoms similar to the manifestation of pneumonia, you should seek the advice of a pulmonologist and undergo the necessary examination to exclude the disease or begin treatment.
It must be remembered that only timely access to medical care is half the way to a full recovery. Self-medication is strictly prohibited, since the disease requires competent therapy in an inpatient setting.