Pneumonia virus

This is a common problem at the changing seasons, especially in the cold season. The disease is very difficult to avoid, easy to relapse. Viral pneumonia can lead to complications such as ear infection, pleural effusion, bacterial superinfection ..

Via: ehow.com

Common symptoms

Disease occurs at any age, especially in people with weakened immunity. The virus enters the body through the nose and throat and cause illness onset after 6-15 days. 40% of cases is caused by the influenza virus, influenza response.

Patients with high fever (usually 38 to 38.5 degrees C), dry cough, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, pain, chest pain, loss of appetite, sometimes chills. At first, patients with signs of upper respiratory tract infection, similar to the flu: sneezing, runny nose, nasal mucosal swelling, sore throat, cough, mucous mucous sputum or pus, swollen lymph glands in the neck (soft cost, no pain). The elderly, body weakness, poor immunity may be respiratory failure with manifestations of dyspnea, cyanosis.
The signs usually lasts 1-2 weeks.

The severity of the disease depends on the virus and the body's ability to fight. In epidemic affecting many people, a very high risk of severe disease. Subjects prone to severe viral pneumonia at the elderly, children and people with weakened immune systems, thin or chronic diseases (liver, kidney, lung, etc.), diabetes, cancer malignant blood diseases, drugs to reduce long-term immunity.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of viral pneumonia is mainly based on the epidemiological situation (in epidemic areas or not), the clinical symptoms, chest X-rays and blood tests.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for this disease, the treatment focuses on the anti-bacterial superinfection and improve physical fitness.

Patients should use the following two classes of drugs:

- Antibiotics: Help against multiple infections. The antibiotics used are penicillin, amoxycillin, cephalexin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, erythromycin, co-trimoxazol (trimazol, biseptol), cephalosporin. Should take 1-2 combination.

- Vitamins: Helps improve the condition. Can high doses of vitamin C, vitamin B types.

In addition, doctors can only antipyretic drug (if fever), cough suppressant, (if cough). Do not take the medication with corticosteroids.

How to avoid

How is viral pneumonia mainly avoid contact with sick people (especially when epidemic) and influenza vaccination.