Pneumonia and the complications it causes. Possible complications and consequences of pneumonia (pneumonia)

Pneumonia is an infectious disease that affects the lungs, the causative agents of which can be bacteria, viruses or fungi. is one of the most dangerous diseases in the world, despite the fact that there is a large arsenal of medications to combat infection. The disease often proceeds without visible symptoms, so it is detected late. Late treatment leads to various complications. This article will discuss what complications occur after pneumonia and how to identify them in order to begin therapy in a timely manner.

Who is at risk?

Negative consequences of the disease most often occur in the following category of patients:

• elderly people;
• children, most often infants;
• persons with congenital low immunity;
• weakened oncological diseases, taking a large number of medications, HIV-infected;
• those suffering from diseases of the respiratory system;

• having chronic diseases - heart defects, diabetes, problems with the musculoskeletal system;
• those who received inappropriate treatment - drugs prescribed without analysis of effectiveness in combating the causative agent of the disease, self-medication;
• patients with total pneumonia;
• alcoholism and smoking abusers.

Causes

Complications after the disease appear as a result of:

• severe emotional stress;
• poor quality nutrition;
• low level immunity;
• frequent colds;
• disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• heavy operations;
• old age;
• smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs;
• non-compliance with treatment;
• incorrectly drawn up treatment regimen;
• severe intoxication of the body by pathogenic microorganisms.

Complications after pneumonia

All consequences after pneumonia are divided according to the location into two types: pulmonary and extrapulmonary.

Pulmonary complications include the following:

• pulmonary abscess and gangrene;
• different types of pleurisy and bleeding;
• broncho-obstructive syndrome;
• severe form of respiratory failure.

The most common extrapulmonary complications include:

• bleeding disorder with the formation of blood clots in small vessels(DIC syndrome);
• anomalies associated with the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• encephalitis and meningitis;
• all kinds of mental disorders;
• infectious toxic shock (ITSH);
• general infection the body by pathogenic microorganisms through the blood (sepsis).

To the question about what complications can occur after pneumonia, it should be answered that through the bloodstream, an infection located in the lungs can get into any internal organ and cause his illness.

Consequences of pneumonia in children

Pneumonia - insidious disease, after it often comes Negative consequences, which last a lifetime. It is very important to complete the course of treatment until complete recovery, since despite the improvement in the child’s condition, the inflammatory process may continue. Recovery must be confirmed by a follow-up examination. The most common and safest consequence of pneumonia is prolonged cough, resulting from damaged mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and the release of a significant amount of sputum. It may last for several weeks after recovery.

In addition, often a complication after pneumonia in children is asthenic syndrome. It manifests itself as mental irritable weakness, impatience, unstable mood, fatigue, intolerance loud sound, bright light.

Physiotherapy helps eliminate the consequences. Performance special massages, aerotherapy, breathing exercises help speed up the healing process.

that appear immediately after illness

Some complications of the disease appear immediately after the first few days after the child’s recovery or even during treatment. These include:

• Neurotoxicosis. In children, this disease is the body's reaction to infection. When falling ill, a child exhibits increased activity, can cry for a long time, throw hysterics. After some time, his mood changes dramatically. Liveliness disappears, lethargy, depression, and indifference to others appear. Then, after some time, a high temperature rises, up to 40 degrees, which cannot be reduced. Against the background of fever, convulsions occur with possible cessation of breathing.
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. This is a severe pathology that develops with hemorrhages in the adrenal cortex. A complication after pneumonia, the symptoms of which are manifested by an increase in temperature of more than 39 degrees and headaches, has an acute course. Happening rapid decline blood pressure, tachycardia appears, the pulse is barely palpable. Breathing becomes rapid and intermittent, and a coma may occur.

For successful treatment consequences of pneumonia, it is very important to diagnose the disease in time. IN childhood complications develop very quickly.

Delayed complications

A child thought to have recovered may suddenly feel unwell again as a result of late complications after pneumonia. Such diseases include:

• Pulmonary failure is often a concern for children after recovery from the underlying disease. The child develops shortness of breath, rapid lips and nasolabial triangle take on a bluish tint.
• Sepsis is a general infection of the body by pathological microorganisms entering the blood. Characterized by high temperature body, violation heart rate, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness. The disease is incurable.

To prevent negative consequences, the treatment of pneumonia should be taken very seriously and strictly follow all doctor’s prescriptions.

Complications from the cardiovascular system

Pathogenic microorganisms located in the lungs, spreading throughout the body, often cause complications in the heart. The following diseases may occur after pneumonia:

• Myocarditis. This is an inflammation of the heart muscle, as a result of which its basic functions are disrupted: conductivity and ability to contract. The disease begins with mild symptoms. With the progression of myocarditis, a decrease in performance, fatigue, and weakness appear against the background of normal or slightly elevated body temperature. The main symptom of the disease is constant stabbing or pressing pain in the upper part of the heart, which cannot be relieved with nitroglycerin. Heart failure appears, as indicated by shortness of breath with slight physical activity, arrhythmia and swelling of the legs.
• Pericarditis. When an infection enters the pericardial cavity as a complication after pneumonia, inflammation of the outer lining of the heart occurs. The patient feels severe weakness and constant chest pain, which intensifies with inhalation, coughing, swallowing and in a lying position. A change occurs in the pericardial tissue: it becomes dense and thick, limiting the amplitude of heart movement. It stops coping with the incoming blood volume, so swelling forms. Without proper treatment, pulmonary edema may develop.

What are the complications after pneumonia in adults?

In addition to violations in cardiovascular system, the following may begin serious illnesses:

• Lung abscess - this disease is associated with inflammation lung tissue, its destruction and the formation of necrotic cavities filled with pus. On initial stages observed general weakness, shortness of breath, elevated temperature, dry cough, loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes moist and secretes a large number of sputum having bad smell And dark color, body temperature decreases and general condition improves.

• Pulmonary edema - occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the organ. Symptoms of complications after pneumonia in adults manifest themselves in impaired gas exchange, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the blood, the appearance of bluish skin and lack of air. The patient suffers from severe shortness of breath even at rest, bubbling breathing, and tachycardia. When coughing, foamy, pink sputum is produced. Fear of death appears, consciousness is confused, and coma often occurs.
• Pleurisy - there are three types: dry, exudative and purulent. It is often diagnosed as a complication after pneumonia, when the infection enters the pleura and causes inflammation. Each type of disease has its own symptoms, but all are characterized by weakness, low performance, fever, and cough.

Prevention of complications

The most important thing for patients who have had pneumonia is to protect themselves from complications. To do this, you should make sure that after the course of therapy the body temperature has completely stabilized, and x-rays show that there are no foci of inflammation left in the lungs. After recovery, doctors recommend paying special attention to nutrition. The diet will include healthy food, containing vitamins, minerals and trace elements. For supporting immune system you need to use herbal decoctions and vitamin complexes.

To restore the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to take probiotics. A course of physiotherapy will help restore and strengthen the respiratory system. The convalescent person is advised to spend more time in the fresh air, engage in feasible sports and beware of colds. If treatment is taken seriously, rehabilitation is successful and health is restored.

Conclusion

Pneumonia, like all other diseases, is not treated the same. Some, using medications, quickly recover, others, even with a serious attitude towards the disease and careful treatment, recover slowly and difficultly. As a result, serious complications after pneumonia are possible. This is due to various factors, the most important of which are: incorrectly selected medications or weak immunity.

Pneumonia is a pathology that affects the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. As a result, the airways become filled with mucus. This has a bad effect on metabolic metabolism. Based modern classification, the disease can be aspirational, nosocomial and non-hospital. Ignoring clinical manifestations is fraught with the development of negative consequences. Complications of pneumonia can be fatal.

The causative agents of the disease include pathogenic bacteria, viruses and fungi. The patient’s well-being improves a few days after the start effective therapy. You can return to your normal lifestyle in 7–9 days. Complications after pneumonia most often occur in older people and minor patients less than four years old. Factors that provoke complications include diabetes mellitus, bad habits, chronic diseases lungs. People at risk should be immediately hospitalized when symptoms of complicated pneumonia appear.

In children, pneumonia occurs more secretly than in adults. The clinical picture that occurs during the pathogenesis of most diseases of the respiratory system is quite similar to the symptoms of pneumonia. Therefore, it is quite difficult to differentiate the disease at an early stage. Terrible diagnosis placed based on the results of a complete medical examination. It necessarily includes serological tests, x-rays, and fluorography. The resulting image will give an idea of ​​the number of foci of inflammation and affected areas.

In any case, pneumonia is severe. Factors that aggravate the situation include weakened immunity, a sedentary lifestyle, taking medications, harmful conditions labor. When treating pneumonia and the complications that are caused by it, medication and physiotherapy are used. The use of folk remedies is allowed. The doctor selects the therapeutic regimen.

Types of complications

All negative consequences that develop with pneumonia are divided into two categories. Among them are pulmonary and extrapulmonary. The first include reactive pleurisy, obstruction of the bronchial tree, and destruction of parenchymal tissue.

Not listed pulmonary complications, provoked by pneumonia, there are diseases such as meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, meningitis, toxic shock, respiratory failure, abscess, sepsis. It should be noted that with pneumonia, the body’s defenses are greatly weakened. This leads to aggravation of existing chronic diseases and the development of complications.

IN clinical picture A rash on the skin, diarrhea, and a debilitating cough accompanied by sputum may appear. The list is supplemented by asthenic syndrome, obstructive bronchitis, fibrosis and bronchial asthma. Complications are classified based on their severity and severity.

Acute respiratory failure

This disease provokes the following symptoms:

• rapid shallow breathing;
• tachypnea;
• cyanosis in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle;
• dyspnea.

Acute respiratory failure develops over several stages. At the first stage familiar image life is disrupted due to shortness of breath. Clinical manifestations that arise during the transition to the second are accompanied by worsening general condition. The third stage is characterized by dyspepsia, which is manifested by severe vomiting, stomach pain and stool disturbances.

ODN is a consequence pathological changes, developing with a decrease in oxygenation levels. The latter is normalized through oxygen therapy. Whenever emergency carry out artificial ventilation lungs.

Atelectasis is a disease in which the lung tissue becomes less airy. Its decline provokes a decrease in the respiratory surface. Gas exchange is disrupted due to oxygen starvation parenchymal tissue. This complication provokes a decrease in the vital capacity of the lungs. As a result, the compensatory mechanism is activated.

Lung abscess

Gangrene and lung abscess most often appear in adult patients. As this complication develops, pus accumulates in the affected area. Among the rest clinical symptoms highlight:

• the process of melting bronchial tissue;
• swelling of the hands and feet;
• joint pain;
• unpleasant smell.

To eliminate a dangerous illness caused by pneumonia, antibiotics are used. They are introduced into the body through a dropper. To prevent the occurrence of an abscess, it is necessary to complete treatment. During pregnancy antibacterial drugs not recommended for use.

Exudative inflammation of the pleura has two types: focal and prolonged. The accumulated fluid compresses the lungs, which disrupts the breathing process. In this case, typical or atypical pneumonia accompanied by bacterial infection. A needle is used to remove the liquid. In particular difficult situations The patient is prescribed surgery. Pleural effusion is treated in parallel with pneumonia.

What are the types of extrapulmonary complications?

Among the extrapulmonary complications of bilateral and unilateral pneumonia are cardiovascular diseases. Their appearance is indicated by swelling, noisy breathing, wet cough, dyspnea and vomiting. Factors that provoke deterioration of health include dehydration and progressive intoxication.

The risk of developing this complication is increased in people with a history of community-acquired pneumonia. Toxic shock, caused by massive damage to the lungs and the whole body, is main reason the occurrence of acute cardiovascular failure, stroke.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis means an inflammatory process in the area of ​​the pericardial sac. Outer shell may suffer due to infection. The clinical picture includes general weakness, painful sensations behind the chest. The latter intensify when coughing and inhaling. With exudative pericarditis, fluid leaks between the layers outer shell. Inflammation of an effusion nature is fraught with accelerated formation of pus. Cardiac tamponade may occur.

In most cases, myocarditis occurs in a latent form. Abnormalities in the functioning of the heart are detected using an ECG. The need for this method due to the following symptoms:

• acute pain in the heart and back;
• accelerated heart rate at rest;
• chronic fatigue;
• dyspnea.

Pneumonia provokes the development of infectious myocarditis. The severity of the disease is determined by the intensity inflammatory process. When passing diagnostic examination detect an enlarged heart.

Myocarditis is often complicated by acute heart failure. U infectious form There are several types of the disease, including:

• infectious-toxic;
• infectious-allergic.

The prognosis depends on the severity and type of myocarditis. Most often, everything ends in complete recovery. The list of possible complications includes cardiosclerosis and cardiomyopathy. Ignoring clinical manifestations caused by pneumonia and myocarditis leads to death.

Endocarditis

The cause of endocarditis is most often staphylococcal pneumonia. At risk are newborn children, infants, pregnant women and adults suffering from structural heart disease. The same goes for people who take drugs. Heart tissue healthy person practically immune to bacterial infection. Damaged endothelium is a focus in which pathogens multiply. When thrombosis occurs, fibrin deposition occurs.

Other types of complications

Other consequences of pneumonia include sepsis and the ailments that are caused by it. Blood poisoning is indicated by:

• increased body temperature;
• fainting;
• tachycardia;
• cyanosis of the skin;
• blood pressure surges;
• low diuresis;
• mental disorientation.

The infection affects all vital organs.

How to avoid complications of pneumonia

Prevention for viral and bacterial pneumonia can be specific and nonspecific. The first group includes vaccination, the second - hardening, vitamin therapy and physiotherapy. The patient, regardless of age, should regularly visit the attending physician. His recommendations are mandatory. In particular dangerous periods Contact with infected people around the child and adult should be avoided. The patient should not be exposed to temperature changes. The room in which the patient is located must be regularly cleaned and ventilated.

Complications after pneumonia will not appear with effective therapy and successful rehabilitation. Treatment must take place in a hospital. Measures taken at home are not enough.

It is a disease accompanied by pathological damage to lung tissue. If the disease proceeds within normal limits, it can be eliminated within one to two weeks using standard measures. Complications of pneumonia are very dangerous and can lead to suffocation, unproductive cough and intensive development of degenerative and pathological processes that lead to severe intoxication of the body and even fatal outcome.

At-risk groups

People with the highest risk of various complications that occur after pneumonia are weak immunity and availability chronic illnesses, preventing normal functioning body. With age, the functioning of the lungs becomes more difficult, as they cannot cope with the task of filtering incoming air masses and providing adequate ventilation. Therefore, for elderly patients, complications of pneumonia are more serious danger than for people younger age.

The following factors contribute to the intensive development of the disease and the emergence of various complications:

• Use alcoholic drinks. Ethanol neutralizes the effect of antibiotics and complicates the therapeutic process.
• Smoking makes it more difficult to remove phlegm from bronchopulmonary system. An ideal “soil” is formed for the proliferation of harmful microorganisms.
• If the patient receives medications in insufficient or excessive quantities, which leads to a lack of positive results.
• Drugs as well pharmaceuticals taken without the decision of the attending physician, can provoke a number of complications after pneumonia.

Young children are particularly sensitive to pathogens infectious diseases, since their immunity has not yet been formed and is unable to fully resist bacteria and viruses. Complications of pneumonia are often observed in patients suffering from pulmonary edema, chronic obstructive disease and bronchial asthma. On the effectiveness of treating the consequences of pneumonia, in addition to concomitant diseases, is influenced by the localization of the inflammatory focus and the path through which the infection penetrated the bronchopulmonary system.

Main types of complications of pneumonia

A complication is a pathological process that affects the respiratory system and extends beyond it. Complications of pneumonia are divided into the following categories:

• extrapulmonary;
• pulmonary

Extrapulmonary complications manifest themselves in the form of anemia, psychosis, DIC syndrome, pericarditis, myocarditis, acute pulmonary heart, meningitis, sepsis, infectious-toxic shock and coma. Pulmonary complications include:

• broncho-obstructive syndrome;
• severe forms of respiratory failure;
• lung microabscesses;
• gangrene;
• bleeding;

Clinical manifestations of various complications

The consequences of pneumonia manifest themselves in the form of different lung function. Respiratory failure occurs in several stages. In the first stage, the symptoms are mild, since compensatory mechanisms manage to cope with the insufficient amount of incoming oxygen. The second stage, which is called subcompensated, manifests itself in the form of shortness of breath, dizziness and blue lips.

On terminal stage the level of oxygen in the blood becomes critically low, the patient suffers from low blood pressure, lethargy, and needs emergency help emergency doctors.

Empyema

Pleural empyema is also known as purulent pleurisy. The complication often occurs in an organizing form, when, as a result of scarring of the pleural cavities, the work of one of the lungs is disrupted until it completely stops. In the fibropurulent form, the formation of a “bag” with purulent pockets is observed, and exudative variety accompanied by a large accumulation of pus.

Symptoms of this type of complication are high fever, cough, shortness of breath and pain localized in the area chest. Therapy of this type involves the use of antibiotics, as well as drainage procedures using fibrinolytics and antiseptic solutions.

If drug therapy has demonstrated its ineffectiveness, doctors resort to surgery, which can result in the removal of part of the lung, pleura or chest.

Broncho-obstructive syndrome is a complex of symptoms associated with blockage of the bronchi during pneumonia. Most often, the complication occurs in young children, because physiological characteristics their bodies are such that the bronchi have a small lumen, but differ extremely active reaction to the invasion of infection (the development of edema, accompanied by big amount allocated secret).

Increased secretion viscosity leads to a critical reduction in the lumen of the bronchi, lung microabscesses, unproductive cough, asthma attacks and noisy breathing. Symptoms in adult patients are identical.

To identify broncho-obstructive syndrome, the patient must undergo a full physical examination, as well as use radiography and spirography of organs located within the chest.

Gangrene

Lung gangrene is rare today. Identify the disease early stages very difficult, and gangrene is usually diagnosed already at the stage of rejection of the affected part of the lung. With a complication in the form of gangrene, sputum of an earthy gray color is observed, consisting of three layers:

• at the bottom there are microparticles of the affected lung;
• the middle layer consists of bloody secretions;
• the top layer is represented by serous contents and pus.

Gangrene of the lung as a consequence of pneumonia

Of all the extrapulmonary complications, gangrene is the most serious as it has a dangerous tendency to spread beyond the affected area. With this disease, putrefactive-purulent necrosis is observed, which occurs due to blockage of mucus in the inflamed area. Violation of local circulation and abundance pathogenic microorganisms provoke the occurrence of this critical condition.

Gangrene is characterized by severe intoxication of the body caused by the products of decay of lung tissue, as well as a large amount of secreted sputum, which has an extremely unsightly appearance, in which blood impurities are observed.

Abscess

A complication in the form of an abscess is characterized by restriction and accumulations of pus. Its development is always carried out in stages.

At the first stage, as a result of a chronic inflammatory process, a purulent focus is formed. Accompanied by pain in the chest area, unproductive cough and fever.

At the second stage, the abscess breaks through, which entails copious secretion of sputum (up to 450–550 ml per day), which has a greenish color, impurities of pus and a foul odor.

Antibacterial drugs are most often used to treat abscesses. In case of fever and severe pain, the patient is prescribed analgesics and antipyretic drugs.

The development of an abscess is often accompanied by intoxication of the body, in which the patient is administered intravenously drugs such as Furosemide or Lasix. In order to cleanse the lungs as effectively as possible, special drainage procedures are used using antiseptic solution and a bronchoscope (the tracheobronchial tree is washed).

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If there is no positive dynamics, and the consequences of pneumonia lead to a deterioration in the patient’s condition, he is prescribed surgical intervention. This method is used only in cases of serious threat to life.

The complication in the form of destruction has a minimal number of differences from an abscess, however, this pathological process causes the appearance of many purulent foci and provokes the release of sputum in a larger volume. Symptoms of lung destruction become pronounced only at the second stage. Therapeutic measures are identical to the treatment of an abscess, but antibiotics are not actually used.

Edema

Swelling is one of the most serious complications of pneumonia as it is seriously life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. As a result of the inflammatory process, a large amount of fluid accumulates in the lungs, which causes swelling. There are 4 stages of swelling:

• In the initial phase, shortness of breath and other respiratory system disorders are observed.
• The middle phase is characterized by severe wheezing, and the patient has to take a special position to facilitate breathing.
• In the presence of severe edema, a person suffers from bubbling breathing. To make it easier, you need to rest your hands on the back of the sofa and lower your legs.
• Severe swelling is accompanied by weakness and excessive sweating.

Edema can be detected by pinkish sputum. The patient needs to call an ambulance as quickly as possible, give him a couple of Nitroglycerin tablets, remove clothing that is restricting his breathing, and ventilate the room well. The patient should be provided with professional assistance in a hospital setting, after which the attending physician prescribes bronchodilator drugs and a number of aids. Hormone therapy is used in the most severe cases.

Acute respiratory failure is no less dangerous than pulmonary edema. The reason for the development of this complication is impaired blood circulation in the lung tissues and blockage of the bronchi. Insufficiency manifests itself in the form of blue lips (cyanosis), severe shortness of breath and frequent shallow breathing. All systems and organs suffer from a lack of oxygen, so it is important for a person to provide timely assistance:

• The patient needs to be helped to occupy supine position on your side, with your head slightly elevated.
• If the patient loses consciousness, he needs to cleanse oral cavity from vomiting, mucus, and bring a bottle of ammonia under his nose.

If the patient's breathing is very weak or absent, he needs to call an ambulance and provide access fresh air while waiting.

This consequence of pneumonia is observed due to the large number of different toxins that are produced directly by the causative agents of the disease. The most powerful toxic effects are staphylococci and, and the main signs of shock are:

• decrease in systolic blood pressure to a level below 90 mm Hg. art, diastolic blood pressure down to zero;
• the appearance of pinpoint rashes on the surface of the soles and palms.

The patient looks pale and his movements are sluggish.

Treatment of this complication requires hospital conditions, where the patient is given artificial ventilation, infusion therapy and carry out a comprehensive selection of antibacterial and other drugs.

Complications of pneumonia, which differ in mental nature, are most common in older patients. age group. The most common symptom of such complications is psychosis in acute form, accompanied by an inadequate perception of one’s own person and the surrounding reality.

The patient's speech becomes incoherent and intermittent, he remains for a long time in an excited and inadequate state, which is replaced by lethargy, suffers from appetite disturbances, insomnia, hallucinations and fear, reaching panic attacks. Such complications require the help of a professional psychiatrist.

Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory disease with focal damage to the respiratory parts of the lungs, intra-alveolar exudation, severe febrile reaction and intoxication of the body.

By frequency deaths Pneumonia ranks first among all infectious diseases. Until the discovery of penicillin, every third person who became ill died from the infection. Currently, about three million people suffer from pneumonia every year in the United States alone.

The disease can occur from various pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi. Therefore, there are a large number of types of pneumonia, each of which has its own symptoms and characteristics.

Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, runny nose, and weakness. The temperature rises, pain appears in the chest, and when coughing, sputum with pus and mucus is released.

Causes

How does pneumonia develop and what is it? The disease occurs when a microbe that can cause inflammation enters a weakened human body. The most common pathogen is pneumococcus (40 to 60%), staphylococcus (2 to 5%), streptococcus (2.5%). Atypical pathogens - Legionella, chlamydia, Haemophilus influenzae, viruses. Parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, reoviruses and adenoviruses contribute to the development of the disease.

The etiology of the disease largely depends on the conditions of its occurrence (home, hospital, etc.), as well as on the person’s age, so these factors must be taken into account when prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia.

It has been proven that exposure to provoking factors increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia several times. The risk group includes adults with congestion, the elderly, weakened and exhausted patients with prolonged bed rest. Adults who smoke and abuse alcohol are especially susceptible to developing pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia

In the case of pneumonia, symptoms in adults largely depend on the cause of the disease and the extent of damage to the lung tissue. However, all types of pneumonia are characterized by common symptoms that are found to varying degrees in all patients.

TO typical first Signs of pneumonia include general intoxication syndrome (chills, fever, malaise) and bronchopulmonary-pleural syndrome (cough, dyspnea, sputum, auscultatory and percussion signs).

Common signs of pneumonia that should alert you:

• persistent cough;
• colds lasting more than 7 days, especially when improvement is followed by sharp deterioration the patient's condition;
• severe cough when taking deep breaths;
• decreased appetite;
• fever and runny nose, accompanied by pale skin;
• general weakness, shortness of breath;
• lack of positive dynamics and decrease in temperature when taking paracetamol (Eferalgan, Panadol, Tylenol).

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults appear sharply: the temperature rises to 40°C, the chest begins to hurt when inhaling and exhaling, a cough appears - first dry, then with sputum production.

The disease is dangerous because it is very difficult to diagnose and the time spent on making a diagnosis may be lost, which may lead to serious consequences. Pneumonia, the symptoms of which are often similar to those of a cold or flu, in addition, some patients (about one in five) may not have local signs of pneumonia.

Therefore, when the first suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor, he will conduct a diagnosis, and then confirm or refute your suspicions. If it is pneumonia, a pulmonologist will tell you how to treat it correctly.

Lobar pneumonia - symptoms

Croupous pneumonia is a process that involves the entire lobe of the lung or most of it. Begins lobar pneumonia, as a rule, acutely, suddenly. There is a high temperature, chills, weakness, headache, and pain in the side, which increases with breathing and coughing. Severe shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest area, cough, and copious sputum are also characteristic. No runny nose.

A feverish blush is noticeable on the patient's face. Rapid breathing up to 30 or more per 1 minute. When breathing, swelling of the wings of the nose is noted. The patient takes a forced position on the painful side, as this limits breathing movements the diseased half of the chest, pain decreases, and breathing of a healthy lung becomes easier.

Hospitalization and patient compliance are required bed rest during the entire period of fever and intoxication. Patients should periodically change position in bed, which helps cough up mucus.

Focal pneumonia - symptoms

The onset is usually not acute; symptoms predominate within a few days. viral infection: gradual increase in temperature to febrile levels, runny nose, dry cough or with mucous sputum, weakness.

Objective data for focal pneumonia are characterized by increased respiration rate up to 25-30 beats per minute, tachycardia up to 100-110 beats. per minute, muffled heart sounds, harsh breathing, sonorous moist rales. In the presence of concomitant bronchitis, scattered dry rales are heard; in case of addition of dry pleurisy - pleural friction noise.

Atypical pneumonia - symptoms

Symptoms of the disease depend on what pathogens it was caused by - mycoplasma, legionella or chlamydia. Mycoplasma pneumonia in children and adults manifests itself in the form of a sore throat, runny nose, and headache. Chest tightness and phlegm are not typical for this form of the disease.

Legionella atypical pneumonia is accompanied by a dry cough, chest pain, high fever, diarrhea, slow heart rate and kidney damage.

Pneumonia in adults without fever

In adults, pneumonia can occur without fever - this is a situation when the following symptoms appear: weakness, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, cough, but no temperature reaction. It usually occurs when the immune system is underactive.

If you continue to have a cough that bothers you for a long time after your illness, consult a doctor immediately to avoid complications.

Complications

Pneumonia can lead to the development of a number of consequences in the lungs:

• acute respiratory failure;
• broncho-obstructive syndrome;
• acute vascular insufficiency(collapse);
• spicy respiratory distress syndrome(non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema);
• infectious-toxic shock.

The development of cardiovascular failure can also lead to death.

Graft

Vaccination against pneumonia is given to children starting from the age of two. Prevention of inflammatory lung disease in children is a critical component of the strategy to reduce child mortality in modern society. One of the most effective methods of preventing pneumonia is vaccination.

The most popular vaccines against pneumonia include the French Pneumo-23 and the American Prevenar. The drugs are administered intramuscularly and subcutaneously. Adverse reactions are possible in the form of swelling, redness, and pain at the injection site. But in most cases, local manifestations quickly disappear.

Treatment of pneumonia

For pneumonia, treatment in adults usually depends on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, and the presence of complications. The need for hospitalization is determined by the doctor.

During the period of acute phenomena, it is necessary to adhere to bed rest, drink warm drinks, eat high-calorie foods, rich in vitamins. It is also useful to consume fruit, vegetable, berry juices and vitamin teas, as well as fruit drinks made from cranberries, currants, and gooseberries. If necessary, oxygen inhalations may be prescribed, as well as expectorants in the presence of viscous, difficult-to-clear sputum.

The main treatment for pneumonia is taking antibiotics. Antibacterial therapy should be prescribed as early as possible, without waiting for the pathogen to be identified. The choice of antibiotic is carried out by the doctor, nothing self-treatment at home is out of the question.

Until recently, ampicillin was most often used in combination with clavulanic acid - Augmentin. However, current data indicate high resistance to these antibiotics. New generation macrolides are taking first place. If the drug was chosen correctly, then after a day the general condition improves and the temperature normalizes. In this case, pneumonia is treated for 5-6 days.

Treatment of pneumonia folk remedies in adults it is possible only as an additional, but not the main one. It is recommended to consume large amounts of onions and garlic, honey, propolis, rose hips, elderberries, and raspberries. In the absence of timely and appropriate treatment, pneumonia causes severe intoxication of the body, as well as various complications– pleurisy, lung abscess, acute respiratory failure and other unpleasant consequences.

The causes of advanced pneumonia are late requests for medical help, which entails dire and sometimes fatal consequences.

The current level of development of the pharmacoindustry and the general availability of information have led to the fact that any colds begin to treat on their own. Fever and cough are not a reason for many to visit a doctor. Therefore, it is often various shapes Many suffer from pneumonia on their feet, which only contributes to the progression of the disease.

What will result from neglect of treatment?

The most dangerous thing is the erased onset of pneumonia, when a cough gradually develops and the temperature rises to no more than 38°C. Any medicine, containing paracetamol, removes the first symptoms of pneumonia and the person continues to sometimes go to work. Many are not even stopped high fever and increasing weakness. In such a situation, it is absolutely wrong to start taking the first antibiotics you come across.

This may cause the following undesirable consequences:

• erased form of the disease;
• pathogen resistance;
• protracted course.

Even a specialist can find it difficult to catch the moment when a respiratory viral infection or bronchitis turns into pneumonia. Only a full examination will help make a correct diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

Symptoms of advanced pneumonia

It has been described many times that pneumonia manifests itself primarily as a cough and fever, but these are not all the symptoms. The consequences of progressive inflammation of the lung tissue will be an increase in manifestations of respiratory failure:

• shortness of breath;
• cyanosis;
• rapid breathing;
• tachycardia.

Against this background, tolerance to physical activity decreases. Severe weakness, headaches, apathy, loss of appetite are striking symptoms neglected form pneumonia. In addition to this, sputum with scarlet or burgundy streaks of blood may be observed.

Continued untreated pneumonia progresses to a more severe stage with massive spread of the pathological process. Possible complications of pneumonia are divided into two groups:

1. Pulmonary complications:
   • Pleurisy – the main symptom is sharp pain in the chest when moving and coughing;
   • Empyema of the pleura - the presence of pus in pleural cavities often requires minimally invasive surgical interventions;
   • Lung abscess is a circumscribed purulent melting of the lung tissue; when the process disseminates, it turns into gangrene of the lung;
   • Acute respiratory failure and broncho-obstructive syndrome - if not provided urgent help lead to death.
2. Extrapulmonary complications:
   • Infectious-toxic shock - occurs due to the massive release of exo- and endotoxins of the pathogen into the blood;
   • Nonspecific myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding tissues, leading to heart failure;
   • Meningitis and meningoencephalitis – infectious changes membranes and brain tissue are extremely difficult to treat;
   • Sepsis - occurs when the infectious agent itself enters the blood; treatment is possible only in intensive care conditions.

The speed and frequency of development of severe consequences depends on the state of the body’s immunity. Therefore, most effective prevention is to strengthen your own defenses and timely contact specialists when initial symptoms pneumonia.