How is bacterial pneumonia treated. What are the goals of pneumonia treatment. How long does it take to recover from pneumonia. What steps can be taken to manage pneumonia symptoms at home. When should you seek medical attention for pneumonia.

Understanding Bacterial Pneumonia and Its Treatment

Bacterial pneumonia is a serious lung infection that requires prompt and appropriate treatment. The approach to treating this condition depends on several factors, including the severity of the illness, the patient’s age, and any underlying health conditions. Let’s explore the various aspects of bacterial pneumonia treatment and recovery.

Goals of Pneumonia Treatment

The primary objectives of treating bacterial pneumonia are:

• Eliminating the bacterial infection
• Preventing complications
• Alleviating symptoms
• Promoting a full recovery

To achieve these goals, healthcare providers typically prescribe a combination of medications and recommend supportive care measures.

Antibiotic Therapy: The Cornerstone of Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment

Antibiotics play a crucial role in treating bacterial pneumonia. These medications work by targeting and eliminating the bacteria causing the infection. When prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia, it’s essential to follow the treatment plan carefully.

Why is completing the full course of antibiotics important?

Completing the entire prescribed course of antibiotics is vital, even if you start feeling better after a few days. This practice helps:

1. Ensure complete eradication of the bacteria
2. Prevent the infection from recurring
3. Reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance

Stopping antibiotics prematurely can lead to a resurgence of the infection and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making future treatments more challenging.

Home Management Strategies for Pneumonia Symptoms

While antibiotics work to eliminate the bacterial infection, there are several steps you can take at home to manage symptoms and support your recovery:

Fever Control

Fever is a common symptom of pneumonia. To manage fever:

• Use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Avoid giving aspirin to children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome
• Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration associated with fever

Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial during pneumonia recovery. Why is staying hydrated important?

Adequate fluid intake helps:

• Loosen secretions in the lungs
• Facilitate the expulsion of phlegm
• Support overall body functions

Aim to drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear broths throughout the day.

Cough Management

While coughing can be uncomfortable, it serves an important purpose in pneumonia recovery. Coughing helps clear the airways of mucus and debris. However, if persistent coughing interferes with rest, consult your healthcare provider for appropriate cough management strategies.

The Role of Rest and Recovery in Pneumonia Treatment

Rest is a crucial component of pneumonia recovery. Adequate rest allows your body to focus its energy on fighting the infection and repairing damaged lung tissue. How can you ensure proper rest during pneumonia recovery?

• Get ample sleep, aiming for 7-9 hours per night
• Take frequent breaks during the day
• Avoid strenuous activities until you’ve fully recovered
• Seek help with daily chores and responsibilities

Gradually increase your activity level as you start feeling better, but be careful not to overexert yourself.

Environmental Factors Affecting Pneumonia Recovery

Your environment can significantly impact your recovery from pneumonia. Consider the following factors:

Smoke Exposure

Exposure to smoke can irritate your lungs and slow down the healing process. To promote lung healing:

• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
• Stay away from areas with wood smoke or other air pollutants
• Consider using an air purifier in your home

Humidity and Air Quality

Proper humidity levels and clean air can support your recovery. Try these strategies:

• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
• Take steamy showers or baths to help open airways
• Ensure good ventilation in your living space

When to Seek Additional Medical Care

While many cases of bacterial pneumonia can be managed at home with prescribed antibiotics and supportive care, there are situations where additional medical attention is necessary. When should you contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care?

• If your breathing difficulties worsen
• If your fever persists or returns after initial improvement
• If you experience chest pain
• If you develop new or concerning symptoms

Prompt medical attention in these situations can prevent complications and ensure appropriate adjustments to your treatment plan.

Hospital Treatment for Severe Pneumonia

In cases of severe pneumonia, hospitalization may be necessary. What treatments are typically provided in a hospital setting for pneumonia patients?

• Intravenous (IV) antibiotics for more potent and direct medication delivery
• IV fluids to ensure proper hydration
• Oxygen therapy to support breathing and maintain adequate oxygen levels
• Respiratory treatments to help clear airways and improve lung function
• Continuous monitoring of vital signs and response to treatment

Hospital care allows for more intensive treatment and closer observation, particularly for patients with severe symptoms or those at higher risk of complications.

The Recovery Process: What to Expect

Recovery from bacterial pneumonia is often a gradual process. Understanding what to expect can help you navigate this period more effectively.

Timeline for Recovery

The duration of pneumonia recovery can vary significantly among individuals. What factors influence recovery time?

• Severity of the infection
• Age of the patient
• Overall health status
• Presence of underlying medical conditions

While some people may feel better within a week, others might take a month or more to fully recover. It’s common to experience lingering fatigue for several weeks after the acute phase of the illness.

Persistent Symptoms

During the recovery period, you may continue to experience certain symptoms, such as:

• Mild cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath, especially with exertion

These symptoms typically improve gradually over time. However, if they persist or worsen, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider.

Returning to Normal Activities

As you recover from pneumonia, it’s essential to pace yourself when returning to your normal routine. How can you safely resume your daily activities?

• Start with light activities and gradually increase intensity
• Listen to your body and rest when needed
• Avoid overexertion, which can slow down recovery
• Consult with your healthcare provider about when it’s safe to return to work or school

Remember that everyone’s recovery journey is unique, and it’s important to be patient with your body as it heals.

Preventing Future Pneumonia Episodes

After recovering from bacterial pneumonia, taking steps to prevent future episodes is crucial. What strategies can help reduce the risk of recurrent pneumonia?

Vaccination

Staying up-to-date with vaccinations is a key preventive measure. Important vaccines include:

• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Annual flu vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine

These vaccines can help protect against common causes of pneumonia and related respiratory infections.

Lifestyle Factors

Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can strengthen your immune system and reduce pneumonia risk:

• Maintain good hand hygiene
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Exercise regularly
• Get adequate sleep
• Manage stress effectively

Managing Chronic Health Conditions

If you have chronic health conditions, proper management is essential for preventing pneumonia. Why is this important?

Well-controlled chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung diseases, can reduce your susceptibility to infections and complications. Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage these conditions effectively.

By implementing these preventive strategies and maintaining good overall health, you can significantly reduce your risk of future pneumonia episodes and support long-term lung health.

Pneumonia Treatment and Recovery | American Lung Association

How Is Pneumonia Treated?

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have, how sick you are feeling, your age, and whether you have other health conditions. The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and prevent complications. It is important to follow your treatment plan carefully until you are fully recovered.

Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor. If your pneumonia is caused by bacteria, you will be given an antibiotic. It is important to take all the antibiotic until it is gone, even though you will probably start to feel better in a couple of days. If you stop, you risk having the infection come back, and you increase the chances that the germs will be resistant to treatment in the future.

Typical antibiotics do not work against viruses. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat it. Sometimes, though, symptom management and rest are all that is needed.

Most people can manage their symptoms such as fever and cough at home by following these steps:

• Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
• Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.
• Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. Coughing is one way your body works to get rid of an infection. If your cough is preventing you from getting the rest you need, ask your doctor about steps you can take to get relief.
• Drink warm beverages, take steamy baths and use a humidifier to help open your airways and ease your breathing. Contact your doctor right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better over time.
• Stay away from smoke to let your lungs heal. This includes smoking, secondhand smoke and wood smoke. Talk to your doctor if you use tobacco products and are having trouble staying smokefree while you recover. This would be a good time to think about quitting for good.
• Get lots of rest. You may need to stay in bed for a while. Get as much help as you can with meal preparation and household chores until you are feeling stronger. It is important not to overdo daily activities until you are fully recovered.

If your pneumonia is so severe that you are treated in the hospital, you may be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy, and possibly other breathing treatments.

Recovering from Pneumonia

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Recovery from serious lung infections, such as pneumonia, can take longer than you expect. Learn what you can do to help your body recover, when to reach out to your healthcare provider and how to help prevent future infections.

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Recovery from a serious lung infection may take longer than you expect. It can take weeks, or even months, before you are feeling back to normal. How long you feel sick depends on several factors including the severity of your infection your age, and your overall health status. It’s important to not get discouraged but gradually take steps each day to help your body recover.

An upper respiratory infection may affect your sinuses and throat. A lower respiratory infection may affect your airways but primarily impacts your lungs. Lower respiratory infections tend to be more serious and require longer recovery. Pneumonia is the most common respiratory infection but there are many others. One thing all lower respiratory infections have in common is inflammation. Fluid buildup and cell debris in the airways can take time to clear. The symptoms you are feeling, such as cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath may linger as you heal.

Signs and symptoms to watch for and report back to your healthcare provider include if your fever returns, you experience chest pain or worsening shortness of breath or if you develop any new symptoms that concern you. While you are waiting for your body to recover, focus on taking the medications your healthcare provider has prescribed and good health practices – such as lots of rest so your body can recover, fluids to keep the mucus in your lungs thin, good food so your body has energy to heal. It is important to keep your vaccinations up to date and any chronic health conditions well managed to help prevent future respiratory infections.

Given enough time and care, you will hopefully be feeling like yourself again soon.

Learn more at Lung.org.

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It may take time to recover from pneumonia. Some people feel better and are able to return to their normal routines within a week. For other people, it can take a month or more. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward full recovery and to avoid relapse. Don’t rush your recovery! Talk with your doctor about when you can go back to your normal routine.

While you are recovering, try to limit your contact with family and friends, to help keep your germs from spreading to other people. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, promptly dispose of tissues in a closed waste container and wash your hands often.

If you have taken antibiotics, your doctor will want to make sure your chest X-ray is normal again after you finish the whole prescription. It may take many weeks for your X-ray to clear up.

Possible Pneumonia Complications

People who may be more likely to have complications from pneumonia include:

• Older adults or very young children.
• People whose immune system does not work well.
• People with other, serious medical problems such as diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver.

Possible complications include:

• Respiratory failure, which requires a breathing machine or ventilator.
• Sepsis, a condition in which there is uncontrolled inflammation in the body, which may lead to widespread organ failure.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of respiratory failure.
• Lung abscesses, which are infrequent, but serious complications of pneumonia. They occur when pockets of pus form inside or around the lung. These may sometimes need to be drained with surgery.

Questions?

Talk to our experts at the American Lung Association Lung HelpLine. Our service is free and we are here to help you by phone, web chat or email.

Contact the Helpline

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Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.

Page last updated: November 17, 2022

Bacterial pneumonia: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Bacterial pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs due to bacterial infection. Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. This type of pneumonia can occur in both lungs, one lung, or one section of a lung.

Pneumococcal disease, which Streptococcus pneumoniae causes, is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia. In the United States, it occurs in around 900,000 people each year, and approximately 400,000 of these require admission to a hospital.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is fatal in roughly 5­-7 percent of people who stay in hospital for treatment.

Other types of bacteria can cause pneumonia and significant harm, alongside other types of pathogen, including viruses, parasites, and fungi.

In this article, we look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments of bacterial pneumonia, as well as how to prevent the disease.

Share on PinterestPneumonia might cause chest pain or shortness of breath.

The severity of bacterial pneumonia symptoms can vary. Some people only experience mild symptoms while others develop life-threatening complications.

According to the American Lung Association, typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• a cough that may produce yellow or green mucus
• fever
• tiredness
• chills

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia tend to be similar in both children and adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toddlers and infants may cry more than usual, have reduced energy, and appear pale.

A person who suspects symptoms of pneumonia should seek medical attention. The cause of a particular presentation of pneumonia can be difficult to determine without seeing a physician.

Since the treatments for bacterial and viral pneumonia are different, finding the correct cause is vital for choosing the appropriate treatment regimen.

Complications

Bacterial pneumonia might be complicated in both children and adults. Anyone can develop complications from bacterial pneumonia, but people with weaker immune systems, younger children, and older adults have a higher risk.

Complications may include the following:

• Respiratory failure: This might develop if oxygen levels in the lungs drop too low or if carbon dioxide levels spike. It can occur due to inadequate breathing ability, and respiratory failure may even cause lung function to stop completely.
• Sepsis: This occurs when an infection causes an overwhelming inflammatory response throughout the body. Sepsis can lead to failure in multiple organs and may be life-threatening.
• Lung abscess: This occurs when an infected pocket of pus forms in the lung.
• Empyema: This is an infectious collection of pus in the pleural cavity that surrounds the outside of lungs

Swift treatment is vital for reducing the risk of complications.

Small air sacs called alveoli are within the lobes of each lung. Normally, these air sacs aid in the body’s gas exchange, while inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.

When a person develops pneumonia, the air sacs experience inflammation, which can cause them to fill with fluid. If the air sacs fill with fluid rather than air, breathing might become difficult.

In some cases, the lungs and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen.

Types

Pneumonia is often classified as either community-acquired pneumonia or hospital-acquired pneumonia. The classification refers to the location in which a person acquired the infection.

Community-acquired pneumonia is the by far more the common type. Other, less common types can occur, such as healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

If a person develops community-acquired pneumonia, it means infection occurred outside of a hospital. The pneumococcal bacterium usually enters the lungs after a person breathes in particles or droplets from a sneeze or cough from another individual who has the infection.

Amongst the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia are bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common bacteria, and Haemophilus influenzae.

However, viruses, including influenza viruses, can also cause community-acquired pneumonia.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia develops while in the hospital and occurs after at least 48 hours of being admitted.

Most patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia are very ill, and they become colonized with a bacterium in their mouth and/or upper respiratory tract that then enters their lungs to cause infection.

The most common causes of hospital-acquired pneumonia are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Risk factors

Although anyone can develop bacterial pneumonia, certain factors increase the risk.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, people who have a weakened immune system as a result of cancer, cancer treatment, or an organ transplant face an increased risk of bacterial pneumonia.

Smoking tobacco products and having a long-term lung condition, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis COPD, increases the risk. Being over 65 years of age and having had recent surgery also puts people at a higher risk.

Share on PinterestA chest X-ray can help identify areas of inflammation.

Healthcare professionals can create a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia after completing various diagnostic tests and performing a thorough history and physical exam. During a physical exam, the doctor will listen to the lungs to determine whether they sound dysfunctional.

In most cases, a doctor will conduct a chest X-ray to check for areas of inflammation and infiltrate in the lungs.

Additional tests may also support a pneumonia diagnosis, such as a chest CT scan and an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample. An ABG measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the arterial blood, in addition to other things like pH and bicarbonate levels, and helps determine breathing efficiency and gas exchange.

The medical team might also perform a bronchoscopy to look into the lung airways and obtain a biopsy or a mucus sample. The operating doctor inserts a small tube with a tiny camera attached through the mouth into the lungs.

A person receives medication before a bronchoscopy to numb and relax the throat, and the doctor typically also gives intravenous sedating medication.

Treatment for bacterial pneumonia includes antibiotics, which target the specific type of bacterium causing the infection. A doctor might also prescribe medications to ease breathing.

Additional medications may include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to ease aches and pains, as well as reducing fever.

Home care will often include rest and drinking plenty of fluids unless a doctor instructs otherwise. Be sure to finish a course of antibiotic therapy according to the doctor’s prescription, even if symptoms have improved.

Some people may require hospitalization for a severe case of bacterial pneumonia, especially for a person who needs supplemental oxygen, is experiencing dehydration, or requires breathing assistance with a mechanical ventilator.

People who develop complications, like sepsis, may also require additional treatments that involve admission into a hospital.

As a precaution, those who have an increased risk of complications may also benefit from admission to enable closer monitoring. These groups include people over 65 years or under 2 months of age.

Share on PinterestA person can receive a vaccine for pneumonia from the age of 2 months.

One of the best ways to prevent bacterial pneumonia is by preserving the strength of the immune system. Eating healthy foods, getting enough rest, and frequent hand-washing are good starting points.

Since bacterial pneumonia can develop as a complication of the flu, getting an annual flu shot may prevent pneumonia.

Two different pneumococcal vaccines are also available for reducing a person’s risk of developing bacterial pneumonia due to S. pneumoniae bacterium, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. These vaccines are the PCV13 and PPSV23, which protect against 13 and 23 strains of the pneumococcal bacterium respectively.

Doctors recommend that adults over 65 years of age have both types of vaccine. Children should receive a series of PCV13 vaccination starting at 2 months of age. Overall health status and age may affect the recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination.

Ultimately, a doctor will be able to determine which vaccine you may need and when to have them.

Recognizing bacterial pneumonia

In addition to bacteria, viruses and fungi can also cause pneumonia. Regardless of the cause, symptoms of pneumonia are often similar.

The similar symptoms in people with both viral and bacterial pneumonia can make determining the cause difficult.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of bacterial pneumonia tend to be more severe than viral pneumonia and can come on suddenly. Symptoms of viral pneumonia tend to develop more slowly and are more similar to the flu at first.

One way to tell the difference between viral and bacterial pneumonia is a mucus sample, also called a sputum sample. A person coughs up a mucus sample, or a doctor obtains one from the lungs during a bronchoscopy.

A medical professional then analyzes it in the laboratory to determine the presence of any bacteria.

Supportive treatment for pneumonia, such as supplemental oxygen and fever-reducing medicine, is often the same regardless of the cause. The main difference in treatment is that antibiotics are for treating bacterial pneumonia but are ineffective for viral pneumonia.

Q:

Is bacterial pneumonia more dangerous than viral pneumonia.

A:

Depending on immune system function, either type of pneumonia could be dangerous, especially in those with a weaker immune system.

For example, if a person is an older adult and has weaker immune system functioning, a viral infection, such as influenza, may develop into viral pneumonia, or it could lead to further weakening of the immune system, in which secondary bacterial pneumonia could occur.

A person in better overall health with a better functioning immune system has a lower risk of having pneumonia in general. However, is an individual has significant or worsening symptoms that could due to any type of pneumonia, visiting a physician is the best course of action for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Stacy Sampson, DOAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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Bacterial pneumonia

Pneumonia (pneumonia) is an infectious disease that affects the lung tissue (alveoli). Fungi, viruses and bacteria can cause pathology. Bacterial pneumonia should be treated under medical supervision. The “Health Clinic” employs experienced specialists, has the most modern diagnostic base (ultrasound, CT, MRI), and the patient can undergo all the necessary diagnostics and get a doctor’s consultation without leaving the clinic.

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What is bacterial pneumonia?

Bacterial pneumonia is a lung disease that is caused by bacteria that enter the respiratory system. The inflammatory process develops when very aggressive bacteria get inside, which can resist the resistance of the body.

Species

The classification of bacterial pneumonia is based on the types of pathogen:

• pneumococcal;
• streptococcal;
• staphylococcal;
• meningococcal;
• pneumonia caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and so on.

According to the course and clinic, bacterial pneumonia is divided into:

• focal (bronchopneumonia) – inflammation affects some areas of the lungs and adjacent bronchi;
• lobar (croupous) – the entire lung lobe will be included in the inflammatory process. In most cases, the lower parts of the lung are affected.

Pneumonia can be:

• one-sided;
• double-sided;
• if the pleural cavity is affected, they say from pleuropneumonia.

According to pathogenetics, bacterial pneumonia can be:

• out-of-hospital;
• hospital – the infection develops 2-3 days after the patient’s admission to the hospital.

The course of bacterial pneumonia can be:

• light;
• medium;
• severe course.

You can learn more about the disease and its treatment by calling the clinic: +7 (495) 628-22-05

Causes

The bacteria that cause pneumonia are part of the respiratory tract, that is, it is an opportunistic microflora. When the immune system is working well, these bacteria do not harm the body in any way. With a weakened immune system, they become dangerous.

Risk factors:

• influenza, SARS;
• smoking and other bad habits;
• beriberi;
• overwork and stress;
• over 70 years of age;
• unfavorable ecological situation;
• COPD;
• diabetes;
• sinusitis;
• cardiac pathologies.

Symptoms and signs

Typical manifestations of bacterial pneumonia are:

• increased body temperature;
• sweating, chills;
• cough with copious greenish sputum;
• pain in sternum, especially on deep breathing;
• weakness, headache, myalgia;
• pallor;
• low blood pressure, rapid pulse;
• shortness of breath, rapid breathing, wheezing.

Diagnostics

The doctor examines the patient, learns about the symptoms, and then prescribes laboratory tests of blood, urine, sputum.

Of the instrumental diagnostic procedures use:

• radiography;
• CT;
• MRI.

All procedures can be performed in our clinic, which is equipped with the latest generation of diagnostic equipment.

In order to make an appointment with a doctor or any type of diagnostics, choose the method convenient for you:

– Call the clinic: +7 (495) 628-22-05,
– Request a call back,
– Write or call via online chat, in the right corner of the page,
– Immediately make an appointment through a convenient form on the website:

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Which doctor treats?

Bacterial pneumonia is treated by a pulmonologist or therapist. The Health Clinic is attended by specialists who will help develop the right treatment.

Methods of treatment

With a mild form of the course of the disease, treatment is carried out at home under the supervision of a doctor, severe forms are a reason for the patient to be hospitalized.

The patient is shown bed rest, drinking plenty of water, the main treatment is antibiotics. Only a doctor can select a drug, based on the results of the tests. As a rule, penicillins, macrolides or cephalosporins are prescribed. These are broad spectrum antibiotics. In some cases, the doctor selects narrowly targeted drugs. Medicines are taken orally or intramuscularly. In severe cases, intravenous injections are indicated.

As an addition appoint:

• antipyretics;
• vitamins;
• expectorants;
• short courses of hormonal therapy;
• oxygen therapy.

Results

With timely and competent treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Rehabilitation and lifestyle restoration

After the patient’s condition begins to improve, the doctor adds:

• massage;
• physiotherapy;
• exercise therapy;
• breathing exercises;
• recommends sanatorium rehabilitation.

Bacterial pneumonia lifestyle

The recommended lifestyle for bacterial pneumonia is as follows:

• healthy eating;
• a sufficient amount of protein food;
• adequate drinking regimen;
• inclusion of vegetables and fruits in the diet;
• introduction of omega-3 fatty acids into the diet – found in fatty fish, nuts, vegetable oils;
• exclusion of smoking and alcohol.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Without treatment, bacterial pneumonia can lead to dangerous complications – chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary infarction, pleurisy, pyopneumothorax, respiratory failure.

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D.M.N. General practitioner, immunologist

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causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Pneumonia (pneumonia) is an inflammatory disease of the lungs. The disease is accompanied by damage to the lung tissue. Pneumonia can affect both individual foci, segments, and the lungs completely (totally).

During inflammation of the lungs, the alveoli and interstitial tissue (the connective tissue that is directly involved in the formation of the stroma – the basis of the lungs) are most affected.

Bacteria, viruses, toxins can lead to inflammation and damage to the lungs.

Pneumonia accounts for about 30% of inflammatory diseases of the lower respiratory tract.

People with chronic bronchitis, infections of the nose and throat, and heart failure most often get pneumonia.

At the same time, elderly people get pneumonia more often than young people, and the disease is more severe in them. If in young people sluggish focal pneumonia is more common, then in the elderly, acute pneumonia is not uncommon at once with damage to several segments of the lungs.

Smokers are also more likely to get pneumonia than non-smokers. This is due to the fact that the mucous membrane of the bronchi in smokers is thinner, and the protective reactions of the bronchopulmonary system are weakened.

The pathogenesis of pneumonia

The mechanism of origin – the pathogenesis of pneumonia is complex. It all depends on how the infection got into the body.

Ways of getting infection, toxins into the body are different:

• Through the bronchi ( bronchogenic pathogenesis). Bacteria, viruses enter the lungs by airborne droplets – directly from the inhaled air or indirectly (from the nose), upon contact of the mucous membranes (nose, eyes) with a surface on which there are viruses, bacteria.
• Through the blood (hematogenous pathogenesis). Such pneumonia most often develop against the background of sepsis – a purulent-septic lesion of the blood.
• Through the lymph . From the lymph, microorganisms penetrate to the epithelial cells of the bronchopulmonary system and adhere to them.
• From the inside (endogenous pathogenesis). In this case, the mechanism of the onset of the disease begins with a disturbed microflora (for example, the synthesis of mucins (glycoproteins) is disturbed in a person. Because of this, problems arise with mucociliary clearance, the task of which is to directly remove the rhinobronchial secret.

After bacteria, toxins, viruses got into the lungs, proteins cytokines (peptide information molecules) come into play. They are activated by the movement of neutrophils (parts of leukocytes), macrophages involved in the inflammatory process. It is cytokines that regulate the development of local defense reactions.

But if the bronchopulmonary protection is impaired, the immune system is weak, autoallergic and allergic reactions occur in the body, inflammation of the lungs occurs.

If fungi are to blame for the occurrence of the disease, then a characteristic feature of the mechanism of the development of the disease is the active reproduction of fungal cultures, the migration of leukocytes and the accumulation of serous fluid in the bronchioles, alveoli.

Symptoms of pneumonia

• Fever. Severe chills, temperature up to 40 °C. Occurs as a protective reaction of the body. Fever helps the body adapt to the effects of pyrogenic (biologically active) substances of viral and bacterial origin.
• Cough. May be dry or wet. Sputum can be watery and in the form of pus, mucus – yellowish, greenish, with advanced pneumonia – bloody,
• Lack of appetite. The body gives a kind of signal to the gastrointestinal tract so that it does not waste energy on digesting food. After all, these forces are needed to fight the disease. Especially with pneumonia, you do not want to eat heavy food (meat, mushrooms, legumes).
• Stitches in chest. The pain is especially aggravated on deep inspiration.

Shortness of breath, palpitations, feeling of lack of oxygen (the heart begins to pump blood intensively).

Blue tint for lips, nails . This symptom is a direct reaction to the lack of oxygen in the body.

Unreasonable anxiety.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia can be caused by both infection and other irritants.

Infectious pneumonia can be caused by:

• pneumococci (a species of streptococci),
• staphylococci,
• coronoviruses,
• influenza and parainfluenza viruses,
• fungi (Candida and yeast), 9001 6
• mycoplasma,
• adenoviruses,
• clepsiella
• herpes,
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
• legionella,
• enteroviruses (Coxsackie, ECHO),
• rhinovirus.

Bacterial pneumonia – most common. Pneumonia caused by viruses and fungi is less common

If pneumonia is non-infectious, then the reasons may be the following:

• prolonged exposure to chemical vapors;
• injuries (accident, unsuccessful operations)
• burns.
• radiation in the treatment of cancer.

Classification and stages of development of pneumonia

It is the cause of the disease – infectious and non-infectious – that is the main criterion for the classification of pneumonia. At the same time, if pneumonia is caused by an infection, bacterial viral and fungal pneumonia is isolated:

• Bacterial pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that develops against the background of damage to the lung tissue by gram-negative and bacterial bacteria. The disease is accompanied by irritation of the pleura (lining the lung from the outside and the chest from the inside) and infiltration of the lung parenchyma (including the alveoral walls). If bacterial inflammation of the lungs is not treated in a timely manner, part of the lung tissue may necrosis, an abscess, gangrene may occur on the lung.
• Viral pneumonia is an acute disease with severe intoxication. The frequency of occurrence is closely related to epidemiological outbreaks (ARVI, coronovirus)
• Fungal pneumonia (pneumomycosis) is an inflammation of the lungs caused by the multiplication of strains of fungi in the alveoli and lung parenchyma. One of the most difficult types of pneumonia to diagnose.

One of the most dangerous is viral pneumonia complicated by a bacterial or fungal infection. It is with such pneumonia that the risk of death is high.

Pathologies are typical and atypical. There are effective drugs and techniques for the treatment of typical pneumonias. Atypical pneumonias are more difficult to treat. The most complex atypical pneumonias are viral. Among bacterial pneumonias, the most problematic are atypical pneumonias caused by intracellular pathogens – chlamydia, legionella.

Essential for the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia is their classification depending on the lesion (stage of lesion).

• Total . The lungs are completely affected.
• Groovy . One share is affected. It is extremely rare in children, but in adults, especially with bacterial pneumonia, it is a common occurrence.
• Single and double sided . Affects only the right or left or both lungs.
• Drain. There are several foci of inflammation, but almost immediately they merge into one.
• Segmental – affects one or more bronchopulmonary segments

Complications of pneumonia

Complications of pneumonia can affect both the lungs themselves and other organs.

Complications directly to the lungs

The most common complications affecting the lungs themselves:

• Pulmonary fibrosis . One of the most dangerous complications. The lung tissues are replaced by connective tissue, the respiratory area is significantly reduced, and respiratory failure occurs. At first, it is noticeable only when moving, and then at rest. The more connective tissue grows, the more progressing inflammation of the lungs.
• Acute respiratory failure – complete hypoxia. It begins with a feeling of lack of air, in the absence of medical care, a hypoxic coma occurs.
• Pleurisy – deposits of fibrin on the pleura, accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, formation of adhesions. As a result, the mobility of the diaphragmatic dome is significantly limited. As a result, chronic respiratory failure develops. If not only liquid, but also pus accumulates in the cavity, purulent pleurisy develops, which is the cause of death.
• Destruction – response to purulent-necrotic infection. Accompanied by a sharp increase, pain in the sternum, the release of fetid sputum. With untimely measures taken, the probability of death is 2-5%, with intensive medical therapy under the control of pulmonologists, the prognosis is favorable.

Complications of the heart

Pneumonia is quite difficult for those who have heart problems.

A significant problem is the risk of complications on the heart itself:

• Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. At the same time, conductivity is also impaired. As a result, the patient is faced with the problem of palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling of the veins.
• Pericarditis – inflammation of the sheets of the pericardium. Consequences – severe shortness of breath – especially when moving and general weakness.
• Endocarditis – the formation of vegetations on the heart valves. A person begins to be haunted by shortness of breath and heavy sweating.

Diagnosis

Comprehensive diagnosis is important in cases of suspected pneumonia:

• X-ray of the lungs. Recommended both for suspected disease and a month after treatment. X-ray allows you to see parenchymal (focal, diffuse) blackouts, to consider the pulmonary pattern (it is enhanced during infiltration).
• X-ray computed tomography of the chest. Most often prescribed if the X-ray of the lungs does not show the dynamics, and for some reason the treatment does not help the patient, or it is important for the doctor to consider the lungs of patients in those sections on which they are poorly accessible on the X-ray.
• Laboratory diagnostics. An important role is played by a complete blood count (especially leukocytes), a biochemical blood test and a sputum test.

• Bronchitis. Endoscopic method. It is used if you need to find out if it is really pneumonia or an anatomical anomaly of the lung, a foreign object in the airways, a tumor.

In some cases, an ultrasound of the heart is additionally performed. Especially if there is a suspicion that not only the lungs, but also the heart muscle are inflamed.

Treatment

Treatment is based on stopping the cause of the disease, relieving symptoms and maintaining body reserves:

• Anti-infective drug therapy. Drugs are selected strictly based on what is the pathogen. Therefore, therapy can be antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal.

Among antibacterial drugs, amoxicillin, macrolides, cephalosporins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems, aminoglycosides give a good effect. If pneumonia is mixed or the exact pathogen is not identified, sometimes several drugs are combined. If pneumonia is of a viral nature, anciclovir, cidofovir is prescribed. Foscarnet and other drugs. It all depends on the type of virus. With fungal pneumonia, antimycotic drugs are prescribed. With an unknown pathogen, a combined antibiotic therapy of 2-3 drugs is prescribed. The course of treatment can last from 7-10 to 14 days, it is possible to change the antibiotic.

• Symptomatic therapy. As symptomatic patients with pneumonia are prescribed expectorant, antipyretic, antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs.
• Physiotherapy. This type of treatment is relevant only at the stage when there is no fever. Effective options for physiotherapy – UHF, massage, electrophoresis.

Prognosis

For a long time, most pneumonias were associated with a risk of death. But with the development of pharmacology, the advent of antibiotics, antiviral and antimycotic agents, if treatment is started in a timely manner, in most cases, especially if a person does not have chronic diseases, the prognosis is favorable.

The main thing is that the cause of the disease (bacteria, viruses, fungus) should be identified in a timely manner and drug therapy should be started in time.

Timely treatment is also the minimization of complications. The main thing is to take into account the general condition of the patient, comorbidities. The greatest risk of complications is in the elderly, children under 5 years of age, people with chronic diseases of the heart, respiratory tract, kidneys, and weakened immune systems.

The best result of treatment and a favorable prognosis is provided by complex treatment in a hospital setting.

Prevention

One of the main methods of pneumonia is vaccination. There is no universal vaccine for pneumonia. But a very good result is given by vaccinations of pneumococcus (the most common causative agent of bacterial pneumonia) and from influenza.

Vaccination against pneumococcus and influenza is especially indicated for people from high-risk groups:

• people over 65;
• suffering from bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis,
• after myocardial infarction,
• persons with ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies.

Also (with strict control and assessment of the situation by an infectious disease specialist) such vaccinations can be indicated for people with severe liver diseases and HIV.

An extremely important element of prevention is breathing exercises. If a person regularly does breathing exercises, then his ventilation of the lungs improves significantly, it is easier for him to monitor his breathing, the respiratory apparatus strengthens, accumulated sputum regularly leaves (and there is no risk of congestion).

It is better to start with breathing exercises in the supine position of the body

1. Place your left hand on your stomach, your right hand on your sternum. Inhale and inflate your belly. Then exhale slowly with the maximum possible retraction of the abdomen. At the first lesson, repeat the exercise for one minute. After three weeks, do the exercise for 3 minutes.
2. Inhale the air and clearly pronounce the sounds “ha”, “m”, “r” and “g”. The exercise time, as in the previous case, is from 1 to 3 minutes.

If the exercises are well tolerated, you can take on more complex options: for example, try the exercises from the Strelnikova complex or practice yoga.