Unfortunately, pneumonia is quite common. Respiratory organs are very sensitive to all kinds of infections, bacteria and fungi. Many often ask the question: "What are the symptoms of pneumonia?" Must a high temperature be required? Many diseases are latent in nature. Often in a latent form, pneumonia also proceeds . Symptoms without temperature greatly complicate the diagnosis.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a serious respiratory disease in which lung tissue is affected. Streptococci, staphylococci, other bacteria, chlamydia, legionella, some fungi (for example, candida), influenza viruses, and herpes can provoke this condition. The infection does not "settle" in the nasopharynx, but sinks lower, causing an inflammatory process in the lungs. The waste products of pathogens, which are inherently toxins, poison the body. Particular harm is done to the central nervous system, heart and blood flow organs. Pathogens penetrate into the body by airborne droplets. Often, bacteria that inhabit the upper respiratory tract can cause the disease.
Causes of occurrence
Mostly pneumonia develops against a background of weakened immunity and respiratory diseases. With significant hypothermia, the body's defenses weaken, and harmful microbes easily penetrate the lung tissue. In addition, overwork, poor nutrition, lack of necessary vitamins and minerals, stress and strong emotional outbursts also contribute to the development of a disease such as pneumonia. Symptoms (without fever or with a significant increase), cough should alert the patient. The danger of the latent course of the disease lies in the fact that there is a high risk of all kinds of complications (damage to the central nervous system and cerebral cortex, a decrease in the level of red blood cells in the blood) and so on. They do not pay much attention to a mild disease, it is easy to confuse it with other similar ailments.
Types of pneumonia
Pneumonia can develop as an independent disease (primary), and as a complication after infectious diseases (secondary). Depending on which part of the lung is affected, the following types are distinguished: focal, segmental, lobar, confluent, total pneumonia. In the first type, a small area of lung tissue becomes inflamed. Segmental affects several segments, and lobar can spread even to the whole organ. With confluent inflammation, small areas seem to merge into one large. Total pneumonia affects the entire lung. If inflammation is present on one lobe, then they speak of unilateral pneumonia. But if the disease has affected both, then bilateral pneumonia is diagnosed. Symptoms (without fever and coughing included) make it possible to judge the development of SARS. By the type of pathogen, the following types can be distinguished: bacterial, parasitic, viral, fungal pneumonia.
The classic symptoms of pneumonia
The most common pneumonia is a complication of acute respiratory infections. As an independent disease disease, it is not so widespread. What are the first symptoms of pneumonia? Cough, which is permanent, and over time it becomes jerky, with sputum. Body temperature rises significantly, a person shivers. Paracetamol often has no effect. It becomes difficult to breathe, an attempt to take a deep breath provokes an attack of coughing. It is worth paying attention to the bluish tint of the skin around the mouth and wings of the nose. If a cold does not go away after a week, or the symptoms worsen, the doctor may also suspect pneumonia. Knowing which symptoms of pneumonia are most common will help you see a doctor on time. After all, this disease is extremely dangerous, especially in young children.
Pneumonia. Symptoms without fever
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 SARS. General lethargy, fatigue, headache, nausea - a person often closes his eyes to all these signs. In addition, pneumonia can be suspected if breathing becomes difficult, chest pain is felt, shortness of breath appears. A cough that does not go away for a long time should alert. All this makes up the main signs. Inflammation of the lungs (symptoms are often contradictory) requires a full examination to confirm the diagnosis, including an X-ray and a blood test to determine the level of white blood cells.
Pneumonia in children
And how does pneumonia occur in children? The disease has its own characteristics. Inflammation of the lungs in infants has the following symptoms : lethargy, anxiety, poor sleep, and appetite. Atypical pneumonia is 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, does not want to play if pneumonia develops. Symptoms (without fever) also include excessive sweating, pain in different parts of the body. Children during the period of the disease become more moody. If there is a suspicion of the usual pneumonia, Komarovsky's symptoms distinguish the following: prolonged cough, high body temperature does not go away after 3-4 days. You can do a little test. If more muscles are involved in breathing, it is given as if with difficulty, then pneumonia may develop. To make a diagnosis, consult a pediatrician. A blood test is required, which will determine the level of white blood cells.
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 preparations for coughing. They help thin the sputum. Incorrectly selected medications (if the patient decided to prescribe them for himself) will only intensify coughing fits and make it hard. If there is a high temperature, then you can take antipyretic drugs on your own. Throughout the disease, a plentiful warm drink is recommended. 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, a severe course of the disease, age over 60 years. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a specialist can prescribe respiratory gymnastics, vitamin preparations, massage and physiotherapy exercises.
Actions that can not be performed with pneumonia
If all the signs (pneumonia symptoms are quite characteristic) of this disease are found, then it is important to remember what absolutely can not be done. First of all, do not take antibiotics yourself. Only with a full clinical picture with an established type of pathogen does a specialist prescribe the necessary drugs. You can not warm the chest. Bath, sauna and hot tubs are strictly prohibited. Cough medicine is also prescribed only by a doctor. If the body temperature does not exceed the value of 37.5 ° C, then you should not take antipyretic drugs. It is necessary to give the body the opportunity to fight pneumonia on its own. Large physical exertion, lack of bed rest will only aggravate the course of the disease. Even if hospitalization is not needed, you should not tolerate the disease on your legs.
Pneumonia in animals
Pneumonia is often found in animals. It is very important to know that this condition is a direct threat to the life of the pet. Inflammation of the lungs in cats has symptoms similar to those observed in humans. First of all, a cough develops. In addition, the animal loses activity, refuses to eat. What symptoms of pneumonia can be observed yet? One of them is high temperature. To confirm the diagnosis, an X-ray examination is performed. The lung inflammation in dogs has the same symptoms. However, often four-legged friends maintain their usual activity and lead a seemingly ordinary lifestyle. In a stable state, when the animal is active and has a normal appetite, therapy is carried out at home. If the cat or dog is passive, eats poorly, then until the condition normalizes, treatment occurs in the hospital. Everything is like people have. Sometimes our lesser friends also have a critical condition in which ventilation is necessary. As in the case of humans, treatment of cats and dogs is not complete without the use of antibacterial drugs. In addition, physiotherapy that promotes sputum removal is also indicated. If therapy is carried out at home, it is worth paying attention to weather conditions. Unwanted walks in wet, rainy weather. It is important to complete the course of taking antibiotics according to the recommendations of the veterinarian.