Our expert – leading scientific researcher, clinic of respiratory viral infections fsbi “Sri of influenza” Ministry of health of the Russian Federation, Professor, doctor of medical Sciences Lyudmila Osidak.
It is believed that pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, which cause dangerous bacteria, e.g. pneumococci, staphylococci or Mycoplasma. This type of disease is really the most famous. But in recent years, adults are increasingly faced with pneumonia other viral origin. And the leader among them pneumonia caused by the influenza virus.
The bad old friend
This disease can develop as a complication of SARS on the second or third day from the onset. Unlike bacterial pneumonia, which usually occur in elderly and infants and develop gradually, viral pneumonia ill more often than young people from 18 to 39 years. More men than women. Such statistics have been observed in previous influenza seasons. We have also identified the most dangerous in terms of complications of the flu strain. It is the A/H1N1 virus – the same one that first appeared in 2009 and was then called swine flu. This season he is also on the agenda.
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Initially, the virus enters the body by droplet infection – when dealing with a sick person. If the person is not vaccinated against flu and pneumonia, the probability to get infected after such a contact are quite high. But much also depends on the immune status of a particular person.
If the body’s defenses are weakened, the virus penetrates and in the absence of competent treatment leads to disease. It usually develops 2-5 days after contact with hippowdon.
It is proved that the likelihood of pulmonary complications is increased in people with chronic respiratory illnesses, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, asthma. Prone to pneumonia and people with cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes. And any serious infections like hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV not only increase the predisposition to pneumonia, but also aggravate its course. In these groups the risk of pneumonia can be fatal. The main cause of death of people becomes a hemorrhage in different organs.
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Pregnant – at risk
Higher risk of disease and influenza, and viral pneumonia holders of bad habits – drinkers, cigarettes. The same increased risk is seen in people after injury, surgery, use of anesthesia, receiving long-term steroids and antibiotics.
And perhaps most vulnerable group are pregnant women. This is due to the physiological reduction of immunity during this period. Expectant mothers are much more often faced with terrible complications of pneumonia – pleurisy, pulmonary edema, renal and respiratory failure, inflammation of the heart muscle. So they are often treated in hospital, where there is round-the-clock medical monitoring, IVS and, if necessary, artificial ventilation.
It is important
If during SARS with a cough and breathing became difficult, there was a frothy sputum, decreased pressure and/or frequent pulse, you should immediately call an ambulance. These symptoms are very dangerous and may be indicative of pulmonary edema. A person requires emergency hospitalization.
Strange cough
There is an opinion that pneumonia is always accompanied by a wet, productive cough – that is, with phlegm and even blood. But influenza pneumonias of detachable secret at first may not be. At first the cough is dry and unproductive. So you should pay attention to related phenomena such as high temperature, severe weakness, shortness of breath, discomfort in the chest.
In all such cases you need to call the doctor. If when listening to the lungs the doctor will hear wheezing, then, most likely, will appoint an x-ray study of the chest. In doubtful and difficult cases, such as pneumonia, mixed viral-bacterial origin, are also required sowing detachable from the respiratory tract.
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