Unfortunately, pneumonia is quite common. Respiratory organs are 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 need to be high? Many diseases are latent. Quite often, pneumonia also occurs in a latent form. Symptoms without fever greatly complicate diagnosis.
Inflammation of the lungs
Pneumonia is a severe respiratory disease that affects the tissues of the lungs. This condition can be provoked by streptococci, staphylococci, other bacteria, chlamydia, legionella, some fungi (for example, candida), influenza viruses, herpes. The infection "settles" not in the nasopharynx, but falls below, 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. Infiltrating pathogensinto the body by airborne droplets. Often the disease can be caused by bacteria that inhabit the upper respiratory tract.
Causes of occurrence
In general, pneumonia develops against the 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, malnutrition, lack of essential vitamins and minerals, stress and strong emotional outbursts also contribute to the development of a disease such as pneumonia. Symptoms (without temperature 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. A mild disease is not paid much attention, it is easy to confuse it with other similar ailments.
Types of pneumonia
Pneumonia can develop as an independent disease (primary) or 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 even extend towhole organ. With confluent inflammation, small areas seem to merge into one large one. Total pneumonia affects the entire lung. If inflammation is present on one lobe, then they speak of unilateral pneumonia. But if the disease affected both, then bilateral pneumonia is diagnosed. Symptoms (without fever and cough including) allow us to judge the development of SARS. By type of pathogen, the following types can be distinguished: bacterial, parasitic, viral, fungal pneumonia.
Classic symptoms of pneumonia
Pneumonia is the most common complication of acute respiratory infections. As an independent disease in infections, it is not so widespread. What are the first symptoms of pneumonia? Cough, which is permanent, and over time it becomes hysterical, with sputum. The body temperature rises significantly, the person is shivering. Often paracetamol has no effect. It becomes hard 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 symptoms worsen, a doctor may also suspect pneumonia. Knowing what symptoms of pneumonia are most common will help you see a doctor in time. After all, this disease is extremely dangerous, especially in young children.
Inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms without fever
Unfortunately, widelyIt is widely believed that pneumonia is a disease in which a high temperature is mandatory. Its absence misleads people, they do not even suspect that such a disease as pneumonia is already developing. Symptoms without fever characterize SARS. 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. All this is the main features. Inflammation of the lungs (symptoms are often inconsistent) requires a complete examination to confirm the diagnosis, including an X-ray and a blood test to determine the level of white blood cells.
Pneumonia in children
How is pneumonia in children? The disease has its own characteristics. Inflammation of the lungs in infants has the following symptoms: lethargy, anxiety, poor sleep and appetite. SARS 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, he 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 illness become more capricious. If there is a suspicion of ordinary pneumonia, Komarovsky identifies the following symptoms: prolonged cough, high body temperature does not pass through3-4 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, you should contact your pediatrician. A blood test is mandatory, which will determine the level of leukocytes.
Treatment
If an appropriate diagnosis is made, therapy should be started immediately. SARS is well treated with antibiotics, which are selected depending on the type of pathogen. On average, the duration of treatment is approximately 10 days. In addition, the doctor prescribes special cough medicines. They help thin the mucus. Incorrectly selected medicines (if the patient decided to prescribe them himself) will only increase coughing fits and make it hard. If there is a high temperature, then you can take antipyretic drugs on your own. Throughout the illness, 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, severe course of the disease, age over 60 years. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a specialist may prescribe breathing exercises, vitamin preparations, massage and physiotherapy exercises.
Do's and Don'ts for Pneumonia
If all signs are found (pneumoniasymptoms are quite characteristic) of this disease, it is important to remember what should not be done categorically. First of all, do not take antibiotics on your own. Only with a complete clinical picture with an established type of pathogen, the specialist prescribes the necessary drugs. You can not warm up the chest. Baths, saunas and hot tubs are strictly prohibited. Cough medicines are also prescribed only by a doctor. If the body temperature does not exceed 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. Great physical exertion, lack of bed rest will only aggravate the course of the disease. Even if you don't need hospitalization, don't bear the disease on your feet.
Inflammation of the lungs in animals
Pneumonia is not uncommon in animals. It is very important to know that this condition is a direct threat to the pet's life. 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 other symptoms of pneumonia can be observed? One of them is high temperature. X-ray examination is performed to confirm the diagnosis. Inflammation of the lungs in dogs has the same symptoms. However, often four-legged friends retain their usual activity and lead a seemingly normal life. At steady state, when the animal is active and has a normal appetite,therapy is carried out at home. If the cat or dog is passive, does not eat well, then until the condition normalizes, treatment takes place in a hospital. Everything, like people. Sometimes our smaller friends also have a critical condition in which ventilation of the lungs is necessary. As in the case of humans, the treatment of cats and dogs is not complete without the use of antibacterial drugs. In addition, physiotherapy is also indicated, which contributes to the separation of sputum. If therapy is carried out at home, you should pay attention to weather conditions. Walking in damp, rainy weather is undesirable. It is important to complete your course of antibiotics as recommended by your veterinarian.
