Pneumonia – causes, symptoms & therapy

Pneumonia, also known in medicine as pneumonia, is one of the most common infectious diseases. Around 300,000 people in Germany contract pneumonia every year. Young children, the elderly and people with a weak immune system are particularly affected.

Pneumonia usually begins with sudden symptoms. Chills , fever and cough are the typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia – the cough is usually accompanied by sputum. Fever with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius is not uncommon in pneumonia. However, this condition can also cause pain when breathing .

If viruses cause pneumonia, the symptoms are usually not so clear to determine. Headaches and body aches occur more frequently with this form of pneumonia.

In order to diagnose pneumonia, the attending physician will first listen to the lungs and heart. Certain noises can then often indicate pneumonia. An X-ray examination is also often sought – with this the doctor will probably be able to detect shadows on the lungs.

causes

By far the most common cause of pneumonia are bacteria as a trigger – the most common here are the pneumococci, to which the disease also owes its scientific name. These bacteria are responsible for about 70 percent of diseases.In addition, viruses or fungi can also be the trigger for pneumonia – this is the case in about 20 percent of cases. These pathogens penetrate the lungs and cause inflammation there.

The pneumonia is usually transmitted by the so-called droplet infection – this happens in particular when coughing or sneezing. So it can be said that pneumonia is definitely a contagious infectious disease.

In addition, toxic gases can also trigger this disease and attack the lungs.

symptoms and course

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is also known as atypical pneumonia because its symptoms are very different from those of bacterial pneumonia. Overall, the disease breaks out more slowly and worsens over several days. Headaches and body aches , for example, are typical , similar to those of the flu . There are also chills and a long-lasting, nagging cough with no sputum .

In contrast to bacterial pneumonia, those affected hardly ever suffer from shortness of breath or pain when breathing in. Fever also occurs less with viral pneumonia and if it does, it does not rise above 38.5 degrees. The patient feels less ill overall than with bacterial pneumonia.

The course of the disease is highly dependent on the type of virus and the time the disease was detected. If treatment is started in time, there is a good chance of complete recovery. However, since viral pneumonia is often recognized later, the course of the disease takes longer overall.

Bacterial pneumonia

The typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia are acute and worsen over time. The illness often begins with chills that can last up to an hour. Then the patient begins to cough and the body temperature rises rapidly (fever). The cough is usually accompanied by sputum, which is first reddish-brown and later yellowish-green. A sore throat is also one of the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia.

Pain when inhaling is also characteristic of the disease, since the pneumonia usually also affects the pulmonary membrane. In some cases, the pneumonia caused by bacteria can also cause oxygen deficiency, which is reflected in a bluish discoloration of the extremities and face.

Bacterial pneumonia only gets worse before it gets better. In general, it is usually more severe than viral pneumonia because those affected feel sicker and the body is weak. Immediate treatment is important when the first symptoms appear.

Diagnose

To diagnose pneumonia, the treating doctor can use different methods. A blood test is usually ordered. With the help of these, inflammation in the body can be recognized and determined. If the doctor uses his stethoscope to listen to the patient’s lungs, he can often hear rales that are typical of pneumonia. They are caused by the breathing movements of the glued air sacs in the lungs.

To be really sure that pneumonia is actually present, an X-ray of the lungs is also taken. On the X-ray image, healthy regions of the lungs can be distinguished from inflamed ones by color. While healthy tissue appears dark on the X-ray image, the changed areas in the lungs are lighter in colour.

Basically, pneumonia can be diagnosed with these few tests. If the X-ray is still unclear or if there is a suspicion that the disease is progressing in a complicated or particularly severe manner, ultrasound or computed tomography can also be performed.

An examination of the sputum or bronchial secretion can also be helpful here in order to more precisely determine the pathogen present in the body. A lung biopsy may also be done; however, this rarely happens. Based on the exact diagnosis, the doctor treating you can reliably determine the exact type of pneumonia and then initiate appropriate therapy.

complications

Pneumonia can cause serious complications inside and outside the lungs. The so-called respiratory failure is one of the most serious complications. The patient’s breathing stops and a severe lack of oxygen occurs. Pneumonia can also lead to blood poisoning , which causes inflammation in the internal organs and, in the worst case, can lead to the death of the patient. Meningitis or a brain abscess can also occur. Likewise, inflammatory changes in the heart, joints and bones, always associated with secondary diseases.

Untreated pneumonia can become chronic. The possible consequences of chronic pneumonia include bronchiectasis , i.e. bulging of the bronchi, and the resulting inflammation and lung bleeding. As a long-term consequence, the lung tissue scars and the respiratory volume is permanently reduced. Being confined to bed as a result of the disease can lead to thrombosis , edema and cardiovascular problems. If the pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, this can sometimes cause symptoms. Chronically ill patients, children, the elderly and women during pregnancy are particularly susceptible to unexpected side effects. If used incorrectly, alternative measures involving saline inhalation can also cause symptoms.

treatment and therapy

More than half of patients with pneumonia require hospital treatment. Certain medications are usually used here to relieve the symptoms of pneumonia.

In the case of pneumonia caused by bacteria, for example, antibiotics have proven effective in many cases. However, if the pneumonia was caused by viruses, medication usually does not work very well. In some cases, such as when there is shortness of breath , artificial ventilation is also required.

Basically, you should see a doctor at the first sign of pneumonia. This is especially true in children and the elderly – this is where most complications occur.

In people with a strong immune system and young people, on the other hand, pneumonia is usually mild. In this case, it is important to take it easy and drink enough, water and unsweetened teas are best.

prevention

You can protect yourself against pneumonia with a special vaccination. In particular, small children up to the age of two and people over 60 years of age should definitely take advantage of this vaccination.This so-called pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for people with an immune deficiency, for example the HIV virus. You can also prevent pneumonia by limiting physical contact with people who are already infected as much as possible. However, this can be difficult, especially for people who work in hospitals.