Most of us have the idea of pneumonia as a complication of the common cold. That is, a person was sick for at least a week, was not properly treated, suffered a disease on his legs – and all this resulted in pneumonia. According to doctors, the second winter pneumonia is recorded almost immediately, 2-3 days after the onset of the disease.
The first symptoms of viral pneumonia are as in the case of ARVI or influenza, so it is very difficult to diagnose the disease at an early stage. The main symptoms are: cough without sputum separation, headache, pain in the chest area when coughing and at rest, high fever, body aches, diarrhea, nasal congestion, general weakness, sore throat.
The causative agents of pneumonia are almost always bacteria, less commonly viruses. Pneumonia can develop after influenza, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and enteroviruses. Doctors believe that children, not adults, are more likely to get viral pneumonia. According to statistics, in 80–90% of cases, children are affected.
The infection is transmitted both by airborne droplets and contact household. The incubation period depends on the source of infection: with influenza pneumonia – from 1 to 4 days, with adenovirus – from one day to 2 weeks, with parainfluenza – from 12 hours to 6 days.
Viral pneumonia can be suspected if you pay attention to the following signs of the disease: fever up to 40 degrees and above, wheezing or whistling sounds during a conversation, obvious signs of intoxication. In children, redness of the eyeballs, insomnia, nervousness, chronic fatigue, blueness of the extremities against the background of a coughing fit can be observed. In this case, you must immediately consult a doctor.
The first thing a specialist should do to make a final diagnosis is to prescribe a blood test and an x-ray, as well as a sputum test for chemical composition. Helps the diagnosis and careful listening to the lower respiratory system. The main treatment for viral pneumonia is antibiotics and antiviral agents, as well as immunostimulating drugs and vitamins. All medications should be prescribed by a doctor, and the treatment regimen should be carefully discussed.
The main method of preventing viral pneumonia is hygiene. You need to wash your hands after each return from the street home. Regular airing of the apartment. Daily wet cleaning. And this applies not only to floors, but also to all open surfaces in the house. Doorknobs, switches, remotes, telephones, keyboards and other common items must be wiped with antibacterial wipes. It is also necessary to humidify the air in the apartment. And the whole family take vitamins.