What Are The Symptoms Of Viral Pneumonia

Questions About Your Symptoms

Bacterial pneumonia, which is the most common form, tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia, with symptoms that require medical care. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Fever may rise as high as a dangerous 105 degrees F, with profuse sweating and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious.

The symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.

Symptoms may vary in certain populations. Newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection. Or, they may vomit, have a fever and cough, or appear restless, sick, or tired and without energy. Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms. They may even have a lower than normal temperature. Older adults who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness. For individuals that already have a chronic lung disease, those symptoms may worsen.

When to call a doctor

How Soon After Treatment For Pneumonia Will I Begin To Feel Better

How soon you will feel better depends on several factors, including:

• Your age
• The cause of your pneumonia
• The severity of your pneumonia
• If you have other at-risk conditions

If you are generally healthy, most symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment. Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually begin to improve within a few days after starting treatment. A cough can last for several weeks. Most people report being tired for about a month after contracting pneumonia.

What Are The Types Of Pneumonia In Dogs

Based on the causes of pneumonia in dogs, the disease is classified into these types:

Viral pneumonia. Typically, pneumonia is caused by a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract. Viruses such as canine distemper virus, adenovirus, and canine influenza virus can affect your dogâs air passages.

Bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial lung infections can cause pneumonia in dogs. It can also be caught from other dogs. Sometimes, kennel cough, or infectious bronchitis due to bacterial infection, can lead to bacterial pneumonia in dogs. Aspiration or the entry of foreign bodies into the lung passages can also lead to bacterial pneumonia.

Highly infectious bacterial or viral pneumonia is called canine infectious pneumonia. It is often seen in dogs kept in overcrowded places like animal shelters, boarding kennels, or animal clinics. It starts in the respiratory tract and makes the dogâs immune system weak, making them prone to other infections.

Aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia develops when foreign material enters your dogâs airways. Aspiration pneumonia in dogs can happen if their food, water, medicine, or saliva enters into the windpipe instead of the food pipe. It can also happen if your dog has continuous vomiting.

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Key Points About Pneumonia

• Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

• There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and theyre grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia.

• A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia. Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness.

• Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough history and physical exam. Tests used to look at the lungs, blood tests, and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used.

• Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. It may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Most viral pneumonias dont have a specific treatment and just get better on their own. Other treatment may include a healthy diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, cough, and fever control.

• Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can cause serious lung and infection problems. It can even be deadly.

Antibioticsor Wait It Out

Along with a physical exam, your doctor may take a sputum culture, chest X-ray, and blood work to determine if you have a viral or bacterial form of pneumonia, Turner says.

Your diagnosis is important since it helps determine treatment. If you have viral pneumonia, I wouldnt prescribe to you an antibiotic, says Dr. Brown.

Thats for three important reasons. First, antibiotics simply dont work to treat viruses. And, they can lead to unpleasant side effects . Finally, unnecessary use of antibiotics means that they might not be effective when you do actually need them for treatment, says Dr. Brown. We always strive to give the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, she notes.

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Bacterial Vs Viral Pneumonia Symptoms

Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of pneumonia. Fungi and parasites can sometimes cause it.

When the cause is bacteria, the illness can come on either slowly or quickly. It tends to be more serious than other types.

When a virus causes your pneumonia, youâre more likely to notice symptoms over several days. Early signs will look like the flu — such as fever, dry cough, headache, and weakness — but get worse in a day or two.

Covid Can Damage Your Lungs To A Great Extent Thus Taking Care Of This Organ Post

Written by Satata Karmakar | Updated : January 3, 2022 4:51 PM IST

Pneumonia, a common lung infection that can affect one or both the lungs and lead to inflammation in the air sacs called alveoli, is one of the most common symptoms of deadly coronavirus infection. COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV2 virus was first identified in China’s Wuhan in 2019, ever since then in the last two years, the virus has mutated and formed several virulent strains which mainly target the lungs. While some people experience only mild to moderate symptoms of the infection, others can end up fighting long-term health issues from the virus. Experts have also stated that the risk of developing a lung infection is higher among those who are infected or have recovered from COVID-19. With the arrival of another contagious strain Omicron, let’s know from the experts the various warning symptoms that the lungs of a COVID recovered patient may show to indicate pneumonia.

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Beware Of Chronic Chest Pains

Never ignore a mild to moderate chest pain post-COVID recovery, as you may not realise when it can turn into a severe symptom and lead to hospitalisation. One of the most common Long-COVID symptoms is chest pain. This can happen due to a lot of reasons, but patients suffering from pneumonia will experience the worst of it. “one may develop chest pain, which can get worse when breathing or coughing. Take this seriously and make sure to get tested for pneumonia without delay,” says Dr. Mukherjee.

Can You Catch Pneumonia More Than Once

Yes. Pneumonia is caused by many different microbes, and so getting it once does not protect you from getting it again. If you get pneumonia more than once you may need to have more investigations to understand why this has happened. It could be due to a problem in your chest or your immune system, and you may be referred to a specialist.

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How Is Dog Pneumonia Treated

The following treatments are used for pneumonia in dogs:

• Antibiotics like doxycycline and amoxicillin or other antimicrobial medicines, based on lab test results
• Bronchodilators or medicines that open up lung airways
• Nebulization, which involves inhaling a fine mist of water vapor to clear air passages
• Oxygen, if the skin is very bluish, which indicates lack of oxygen
• Medication to improve immunity or to treat any underlying problem
• Anti-vomiting medication, usually given to dogs with aspiration pneumonia

If your dog has severe pneumonia, they may need to be hospitalized. Your dog may have to be closely examined to avoid any complications.

How Can I Prevent Viral Pneumonia

• Prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use gel hand cleanser when there is no soap and water available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have washed your hands first. Cover your mouth when you cough. Cough into a tissue or your shirtsleeve so you do not spread germs from your hands. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible.
• Ask about vaccines. You may need a vaccine to help prevent pneumonia. Get an influenza vaccine every year as soon as it becomes available.

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How Is Viral Pneumonia Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your signs and symptoms and examine you. He or she will listen to your heart and lungs. Tell him or her if you have been around anyone who is sick. You may need any of the following:

• A chest x-ray may show signs of infection in your lungs.
• A mucus sample is collected and tested for the virus that caused your pneumonia. Your healthcare provider may swab your throat or the inside of your nose to get a mucus sample. He or she may ask you to cough mucus into a cup.
• Blood tests may show signs of an infection.

How Common Is Pneumonia

Approximately 1 million adults in the United States are hospitalized each year for pneumonia and 50,000 die from the disease. It is the second most common reason for being admitted to the hospital — childbirth is number one. Pneumonia is the most common reason children are admitted to the hospital in the United States. Seniors who are hospitalized for pneumonia face a higher risk of death compared to any of the top 10 other reasons for hospitalization.

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Can I Treat Pneumonia At Home

While viral pneumonia may improve on its own with time, bacterial and fungal pneumonia require timely medical attention. Also, you need a proper diagnosis to confirm pneumonia.3Pneumonia is a lung infection that can become severe, if not treated timely.5 Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor and get the necessary diagnosis and treatment.

When Would I Need To Be Hospitalized For Pneumonia

If your case of pneumonia is more severe, you may need tostay in the hospital for treatment. Hospital treatments may include:

• Oxygen
• Fluids, antibiotics and other medicines given through an IV
• Breathing treatments and exercises to help loosen mucus

People most likely to be hospitalized are those who are most frail and/or at increased risk, including:

• Babies and young children
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with health conditions that affect the heart and lungs

It may take six to eight weeks to return to a normal level of functioning and well-being if youve been hospitalized with pneumonia.

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Home Treatment For Pneumonia In Dogs

The following tips are recommended for home care:

Dog pneumonia recovery time can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause. Typically, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to months for complete recovery.

Pneumonia: 3 Causes Common Symptoms And When To Seek Help

Pneumonia is an illness we hear about often. There’s a reason. It is a common disease that causes illness and death worldwide. If it conjures up thoughts of severe illness, you are right. The symptoms vary from mild fever and cough to severe difficulty breathing and sepsis. Pneumonia is the second leading cause of hospitalization after childbirth. It is the most common infectious cause of death. “Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and may cause fluid build-up within the tiny sacs of the lungs,” says Tammy Wichman, MD, Nebraska Medicine pulmonologist. “It can be caused by a virus, bacteria or a fungus. For healthy individuals, it usually isn’t serious if treated early on. However, pneumonia can be quite serious for the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and young children.”

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Pneumonia Symptoms And Causes

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There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, including bacteria, viruses, airborne irritants, and fungi. When these germs enter the lungs, they can overpower the immune system and invade nearby lung tissues, which are very delicate.

Once infected, the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed and fill up with fluid and pus, which causes coughing, fever, chills, and breathing problems.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms can vary from so mild you barely notice them, to so severe that hospitalization is required. How your body responds to pneumonia depends on the type germ causing the infection, your age and your overall health.

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
• Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting, especially in small children
• Confusion, especially in older people

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How Can I Manage My Symptoms

• Rest as needed. Rest often while you recover. Slowly start to do more each day.
• Drink liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Liquids help thin your mucus, which may make it easier for you to cough it up.
• Do not smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking makes it harder for you to get better. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause lung damage. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
• Use a cool mist humidifier. A humidifier will help increase air moisture in your home. This may make it easier for you to breathe and help decrease your cough.
• Keep your head elevated. You may be able to breathe better if you lie down with the head of your bed up.

What About Viral Pneumonia

Viral pneumonia can be severe, particularly in elderly or immunocompromised patients or when complicated by a secondary bacterial infection, such as S. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, or Haemophilus influenzae. When suspected, the influenza virus can be detected using a rapid antigen detection assay, which can distinguish influenza A from B. Antiviral therapy against influenza A or influenza B is recommended if started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Specific antiviral therapy does not exist against parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, metapneumovirus, coronavirus , or hantavirus. Management of these infections involves supportive care and vigilant infection control measures.

Ilias C Papanikolaou, Om P Sharma, in, 2013

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The Difference Between Viral Pneumonia And Bacterial Pneumonia

Treatment is the biggest difference between bacterial and viral pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotic therapy, while viral pneumonia will usually get better on its own. In some cases, viral pneumonia can lead to a secondary bacterial pneumonia. At that point, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic therapy. Your doctor will be able to tell if it has become bacterial pneumonia by a change in your symptoms or signs.

Pearls And Other Issues

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More Severe Cases May Also Cause:

• quick breathing
• rapid heartbeat
• nausea and vomiting

Some people get a sharp pain in their chest when they breathe in and out. This may be because the thin lining between the lung and ribcage, called the pleura, is infected and inflamed. This inflammation, called pleurisy, stops your lungs moving smoothly as you breathe.

The symptoms of pneumonia are often very similar to those of other chest infections, such as bronchitis, COPD flare-ups or bronchiectasis flare-ups. To get a proper diagnosis youll need to visit your GP.

If you feel unwell with these symptoms, see your GP or call 111. If you have chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, quick breathing, shivers or confusion, get urgent advice from your GP or call 999. Take extra care if youre over 65.