What kind of disease is pneumonia? Extrapulmonary syndromes in pneumonia. It's time to sound the alarm! In your case, the likelihood of getting pneumonia is huge

The respiratory system in general and the lungs in particular are very vulnerable to infectious diseases. With all the variety of methods of infection, airborne transmission is the most common. However, this is not surprising, since the upper respiratory tract is the vanguard in the fight against many viruses and bacteria.

At certain conditions, such as, for example, weakened immunity, high activity of the pathogen, disturbances in the quality of the inhaled air, etc., infectious process is not localized only in the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx, larynx, trachea), but spreads downwards. Sometimes the process ends with inflammation of the bronchial mucosa - bronchitis, but quite often the matter is not limited to this. Inflammation of the lung tissue itself occurs - pneumonia.

In other words, typical pneumonia, or pneumonia, which affects small air bubbles, alveoli, and the tissues around them, occurs due to the penetration of pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi.

In addition to breathing, the lungs perform very important functions, regulating body temperature, the exchange of fluid and salts in the body, protecting it from foreign substances from the inhaled air. Some proteins and fats that affect blood clotting are created and broken down in the lungs. And when many toxins are released into the blood, the lungs trap harmful particles, dissolve them or expel them with a cough. In a word, functionally it is a real filter for air and blood.

But the pulmonary filter does not always withstand the load created by severe illness, complex trauma and general weakening of the immune system. And then almost any microorganism or their combination, especially during seasonal exacerbations, can cause inflammation. That's why pneumonia rarely occurs primary disease- almost always it is a complication and, as a rule, develops after hypothermia.

Almost any microorganism can cause pneumonia. Which one specifically depends on a number of factors: on the age of the patient, on the place where pneumonia occurs - at home or in the hospital, if in a hospital, then in which department - in surgery there are some microbes, in therapy others. The state of health of the body in general and the state of immunity in particular play a huge role.

Acute pneumonia primarily affects weakened, premature children of the first year of life, patients with rickets and anemia, and among adults, smokers, alcohol abusers, and the elderly. Particularly susceptible to pneumonia are patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, those whose immune systems are suppressed by drugs used to treat cancer, or those who are bedridden for a long time.

Any doctor knows that if treatment is started on the first day, a patient with pneumonia will be on his feet in two to three weeks. When the disease is at its height, and even with a complication in the form of, say, pleurisy, an intensive care unit or intensive therapy, treatment will take one and a half to two months.

The insidiousness of pneumonia is that the characteristic changes breath sounds At first they “don’t get caught.” However, the experience of clinical and microbiological parallels helps here. For example, it is known that staphylococcal pneumonia most often occurs during an influenza epidemic. And the person himself should be on guard - if a cough with sputum, which is not typical for influenza and ARVI, appears, you must immediately call a doctor, do a chest x-ray, a clinical blood test and a sputum test, which is collected in the morning by rinsing your mouth with water. Sputum examination, in fact, helps to identify the specific causative agent of the disease. Only in this way can an accurate diagnosis of pneumonia be established.

Typically, sputum is constantly secreted by the mucous membrane of the bronchi. It contains substances that maintain the elasticity of lung tissue and antimicrobial particles, such as immunoglobulin. The formation of sputum is associated with blood circulation in the lungs, which changes with increased loss of fluid from the body. Accordingly, with sweating, overheating, diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and lack of drinking, the beneficial properties of sputum are weakened. It is removed by coughing and expectoration,

In patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, the sputum is mucous, colorless and viscous. Sometimes, due to the admixture of blood, it acquires a brownish-rusty color. After an attack of wet (that is, with sputum) cough, the patient, as a rule, usually experiences relief. This is facilitated by expectorants and sputum thinners. Intensive sputum production can also be achieved with non-medicinal means, in the form of hot drinks. But you cannot use drugs that suppress sputum production, otherwise clearing the airways will be difficult, and the infection will continue to develop.

A few words should be said about the factors contributing to the spread of infection.

First of all, these include heat and stuffiness. The drier the air, the more dust particles or chemical pollutants it contains, the more difficult it is for mucus to envelop harmful substances. Therefore one of most important recommendations for patients with pneumonia - clean, cool air, as well as frequent ventilation of the room. This makes breathing easier and promotes mucus removal. The optimal room temperature should be about 18°C. In this case, it is necessary to dress the patient warmly, and put a wet sheet on the radiator to humidify the atmosphere.

Another negative factor is dust of city apartments, which greatly increases the likelihood of sputum drying out. Upholstered furniture and carpets are not for the room in which the patient is located. Wet cleaning is required 1-2 times a day, but it is better without disinfectants, because a strong chemical odor can cause damage to the respiratory tract in a person weakened by the disease.

High body temperature also dries out mucus. However, by carefully knocking it down, you thereby suppress the body’s production of interferon, a special protein that neutralizes viruses. There is only one way out - drink plenty of fluids (2-3 liters per day). Vegetable and fruit juices containing vitamin C, lingonberry and cranberry fruit drinks, decoctions of rose hips, currants, and rowan are especially useful in this situation.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an acute infectious disease characterized by predominant inflammation respiratory departments lungs and the presence of intra-alveolar exudation.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia is a polyetiological disease, that is, it can be caused by a large number of different pathogens, including bacteria (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, moraxella, streptococcus, staphylococcus, etc.), intracellular pathogens (mycoplasma, chlamydia, legionella, etc.) , viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, etc.) and even fungi (candida, aspergillus and pneumocystis).

Pneumonia caused by intracellular pathogens and viruses is usually classified as a separate group, so-called “atypical”. This is due to the peculiarities of their clinical picture, as well as slightly different approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In turn, pneumonia of fungal etiology occurs exclusively in individuals with a significant decrease in immunity (HIV infection, etc.). There are many different factors that significantly increase the likelihood of disease. The most important of them are:

• smoking and alcoholism
• chest injuries
• diseases of the heart, kidneys, lungs and others internal organs
• immunodeficiency conditions and stress
• prolonged bed rest (hypostatic pneumonia)
• oncological diseases
• long stay patient on mechanical ventilation
• swallowing disorder (aspiration pneumonia)
• elderly age(over 60 years old), etc.

Most often, the causative agent of pneumonia enters the lungs through the respiratory tract as part of small aerosol droplets, less often through the bloodstream from other foci of infection in the body. As a result of its penetration into the lung tissue, inflammation occurs. Blood cells and macrophages actively rush to this place, and exudate accumulates here. Certain microorganisms that cause pneumonia are capable of releasing toxins that lead to necrosis and destruction of areas of lung tissue.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia

The clinical picture of pneumonia is largely determined by the causative agent (cause) of the disease, as well as the extent of damage to the lung itself. However, regardless of this, it is almost always characterized by general symptoms in the form of weakness and increased fatigue, headache and muscle pain, loss of appetite. All this is accompanied by chills and a sharp rise in body temperature to 38-40°C. Pneumonia is also characterized by a dry cough, which after a while becomes wet with difficult to separate mucopurulent sputum. In this case, patients may complain of pain in the chest, aggravated by breathing and coughing, which in turn indicates damage to the pleura. Quite often, severe pneumonia is accompanied by shortness of breath, pallor and bluishness of the facial skin in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle. It is important to note that in children and the elderly, general symptoms may significantly predominate. clinical picture diseases. Based on clinical and radiological data depending on the volume lung lesions There are focal, lobar (lobar) and total pneumonia.

Focal pneumonia often preceded by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus infection etc.). The disease itself often begins gradually (in the form of a second “wave” of infection) with an increase in temperature and the appearance of a dry cough. With focal pneumonia, the lower parts of the lungs are predominantly affected (usually on the right).

Lobar pneumonia characterized by damage to at least a lobe of the lung with mandatory involvement of the pleura in the process. On the contrary, the disease begins acutely with tremendous chills and sharp increase body temperature up to 39-40°C. Almost simultaneously with this, due to concomitant damage to the pleura, pain in the chest appears. With lobar pneumonia, the cough develops during the day and may initially be wet in nature. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by shortness of breath at rest and a feverish flush of the cheeks, more pronounced on the affected side.

Features of the clinical course of pneumonia of various etiologies

Staphylococcal pneumonia characterized by a high tendency to develop extensive necrosis of the lung tissue with the subsequent formation of abscesses in it. According to some data, the mortality rate for pneumonia of this etiology in adults reaches 30-40%. The disease is characterized by an acute onset with high febrile fever (up to 40-41°C) and copious discharge of purulent sputum. Sometimes it is accompanied by confusion and the presence of positive meningeal symptoms.

Streptococcal pneumonia mainly occurs during epidemic outbreaks respiratory diseases. Quite often it is complicated by pleurisy or pleural empyema. Streptococcal pneumonia is also characterized by the early development of necrosis of the lung tissue with the appearance of abundant purulent sputum.

Mycoplasma pneumonia at the very beginning of its development it can resemble a common cold. In this case, the first signs of the disease are fever, weakness, runny nose (rhinitis) and sore throat. After some time, these symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, which is a direct sign of pneumonia. The incidence of mycoplasma pneumonia is especially high among children and adolescents in isolated groups (kindergartens, schools, etc.).

Chlamydial pneumonia begins with pharyngitis, as well as the appearance of a prolonged dry cough and runny nose. The further course of the disease is accompanied by shortness of breath and a prolonged increase in temperature, which actually allows one to suspect pneumonia.

Currently development legionella pneumonia occurs mainly upon contact with contaminated air conditioning systems of high-rise buildings and office premises. The disease begins with loss of appetite, headache, weakness, and sometimes diarrhea. Symptoms such as cough, sore throat and chest pain appear somewhat later. Legionella pneumonia practically does not occur in children.

The most common complications of pneumonia are acute respiratory failure and respiratory distress syndrome, pleurisy, pleural empyema and lung abscess, cor pulmonale, endocarditis, myocarditis and pericarditis, infectious-toxic shock, meningitis and glomerulonephritis, DIC syndrome, etc.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

The diagnosis of pneumonia is established on the basis of the clinical picture of the disease, taking into account the results of instrumental and laboratory research methods. On auscultation, moist rales, crepitus, bronchial breathing, etc. can be heard over the lesion of the lung. However, confirming the diagnosis of pneumonia almost always requires a chest x-ray.

If necessary, determine the causative agent of pneumonia, use microscopic examination sputum or bronchial washings, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), indirect hemagglutination inhibition reaction (IHRA), indirect hemagglutination reaction (IRHA), etc. non-specific methods laboratory diagnostics pneumonia include complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis (UCA) and electrocardiography (ECG). These methods allow you to assess the severity of the disease, as well as determine the presence of complications.

Differential diagnosis of pneumonia is carried out with tuberculosis and lung cancer, pneumonitis and systemic lupus erythematosus, pancreatitis and perforated gastric ulcer, liver abscess, appendicitis, etc.

Treatment and prevention of pneumonia

Treatment of pneumonia depends on the severity of the disease, the presence of complications and the age of the patient. The need for hospitalization is determined by the doctor in accordance with the available indications. The diet of a patient with pneumonia should be sufficiently high in calories and at the same time contain a minimum amount of indigestible foods. It is advisable to include vegetables and fruits in the diet and ensure plenty of fluids (to improve sputum separation and prevent dehydration).

The main component of the treatment of pneumonia is antibacterial agents(amoxicillin, azithromycin, levofloxacin, etc.). The choice of drug, dosage, frequency and duration of its use is also determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient’s age, features of the clinical picture of pneumonia and the presence of concomitant diseases. Recently, in the treatment of pneumonia, combinations of several antibacterial drugs with average duration therapy for at least 7-10 days.

The presence of a productive cough is an indication for the use of expectorants (lazolvan, bromhexine, etc.) and sputum thinners (SLC) medications. At the same time, patients with pneumonia with a dry cough (or no cough at all) should refrain from using them. To eliminate shortness of breath, the use of inhaled bronchodilators (Berodual and Berotek, salbutamol, etc.) is recommended. It should be noted that the best way Their delivery is inhalation using a nebulizer. Antipyretics (paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid) during pneumonia are taken according to indications (usually at body temperature above 38°C) depending on the patient’s age and the presence of concomitant diseases. In case of pneumonia, sufficient attention should be paid to immunomodulatory therapy with multivitamins.

Prevention of acute pneumonia primarily consists of following healthy image life and general strengthening body. At the same time, no less important is the prevention of acute respiratory infections. For the same purpose, the influence of all predisposing factors of pneumonia should be excluded. To prevent hypostatic pneumonia, which occurs mainly in older people during prolonged bed rest, it is necessary to massage the chest by turning the patient onto his stomach with light tapping from bottom to top over the entire surface of the back. A fairly effective method is breathing exercises using an inflatable toy.

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 general signs, which are found to one degree or another in all patients.

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 can 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. Lobar pneumonia usually begins acutely and suddenly. There is a high temperature, chills, weakness, headache, and pain in the side, which intensifies with breathing and coughing. Severe shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest area, cough, copious sputum. 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 sore side, since this restricts the respiratory movements of the sore half of the chest, reduces pain, and makes breathing easier for the healthy lung.

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

Focal pneumonia - symptoms

The onset is usually not acute; within a few days, manifestations of a viral infection predominate: a 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, increased sweating, cough, but there is 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);
• acute 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 pass quickly.

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 selection of an antibiotic is carried out by a doctor; there can be no talk of any independent treatment at home.

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 incidence of pneumonia in children of the first year of life is 15-20 per 1000 children, over 3 years old 5-6 per 1000, in adults 10-13 per 1000 adults. The high incidence of pneumonia in young children is associated with the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the respiratory system.

Anatomy and physiology of the lungs

The lungs are located in the chest cavity. Each lung is divided into parts (segments), the right lung consists of three segments, the left lung of two, since it is adjacent to the heart, therefore the volume of the left lung is less than that of the right by about 10%.

The lung consists of the bronchial tree and alveoli. The bronchial tree in turn consists of bronchi. Bronchi come in different sizes (caliber). The branching of bronchi from large caliber to smaller bronchi, up to the terminal bronchioles, is the so-called bronchial tree. It serves to conduct air during inhalation and exhalation.

The bronchioles, decreasing in diameter, pass into the respiratory bronchioles and ultimately end in the alveolar sacs. The walls of the alveoli are very well supplied with blood, which allows gas exchange.

The inside of the alveoli is covered with a special substance (surfactant). It serves to protect against microbes, prevents the collapse of the lung, and is involved in the removal of germs and microscopic dust.

Features of the respiratory system in young children

2. In newborns, the ribs are horizontal and the intercostal muscles are underdeveloped. Children at this age are in a horizontal position for a long time, which leads to stagnation of blood circulation.

3. Imperfect neural regulation respiratory muscles, which leads to respiratory failure.

Main forms of pneumonia

Causes of pneumonia

According to many scientists, in 50% of all patients with pneumonia the cause remains unknown.

Pathogens of pneumonia in early childhood is most often staphylococcus, mycoplasma, microviruses, adenoviruses.

The most dangerous is a mixed viral-microbial infection. Viruses infect the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and provide access to microbial flora, which aggravates the manifestations of pneumonia.
I would like to note other causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms (manifestations)

The onset of the disease can be either gradual or sudden.

Signs of intoxication.
1. Increase in body temperature from 37.5 to 39.5 degrees Celsius.
2. Headache of varying intensity.
3. Deterioration of well-being in the form of lethargy or anxiety, decreased interest in the environment, sleep disturbances, night sweats.

From " pulmonary symptoms» Cough may be noted. Its character is dry at the beginning, and after some time (3-4 days) it becomes moist with the production of copious sputum. Usually the sputum is rusty in color due to the presence of red blood cells.

In children, cough with rusty sputum occurs mainly at an older age. Cough occurs as a result of inflammation of the bronchial and tracheal mucosa under the influence of inflammatory mediators, or mechanical (sputum) irritation.
Swelling interferes normal operation lung and therefore, with the help of coughing, the body tries to cleanse it. When a cough lasts 3-4 days, there is a persistent increase in pressure in all structures of the lung, so red blood cells move from the vessels into the lumen of the bronchi, forming rust-colored sputum along with mucus.

In addition to coughing, chest pain appears on the side of the damaged lung. The pain usually gets worse when you inhale.

Signs of pulmonary failure include symptoms such as: shortness of breath, cyanosis (blue discoloration) of the skin, especially the nasolabial triangle.
Shortness of breath appears more often with extensive pneumonia (bilateral); inhalation is especially difficult. This symptom appears due to the shutdown of the affected part of the lung from function, which leads to insufficient oxygen saturation of the tissues. The larger the focus of inflammation, the stronger the shortness of breath.

Rapid breathing, for example, in children over one year old (more than 40 breaths per minute) is one of the main signs of pneumonia. Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle is especially noticeable in young children (during breastfeeding), but adults are no exception. The cause of cyanosis is again a lack of oxygen.

Course of pneumonia: The duration of the disease depends on the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment and the reactivity of the body. Before the advent of antibiotics, the high temperature dropped on days 7-9.

When treated with antibiotics, the temperature drop may be early dates. Gradually the patient's condition improves, the cough becomes more wet.
If the infection is mixed (viral-microbial), the disease is accompanied by damage to the cardiovascular system, liver, and kidneys.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

What awaits you at the doctor?

In children, radiographic changes characteristic of pneumonia may develop before the appearance of symptoms of pneumonia (wheezing, decreased breathing). In children, when the lower lobe of the lung is affected, it is necessary to differentiate pneumonia even from appendicitis (children complain of pain in the abdominal area).

Pneumonia in the picture

Effective treatmentpneumonia

Hygiene, regimen and nutrition for pneumonia

2. Balanced diet: increase fluid intake 1.5-2.0 liters per day, preferably warm. You can use fruit drinks, juices, tea with lemon. Do not use fatty foods(pork, goose, duck), confectionery (cakes, pastries). Sweets enhance inflammatory and allergic processes.

3. Clearing the respiratory tract of mucus, by expectoration.
In children under one year of age, the respiratory tract is cleansed of mucus and sputum at home by the mother (the oral cavity is cleaned with a napkin). In the department, mucus and sputum are sucked out using an electric suction device. oral cavity and nasopharynx.

4. Regular ventilation and wet cleaning of the room, when there is no patient in the room.
When the air temperature outside is more than 20 degrees, the window in the room should always be open. At lower temperatures outside, the room is ventilated at least 4 times a day, so that in 20-30 minutes the temperature in the room drops by 2 degrees.
In winter, to avoid rapid cooling of the room, close the window with gauze.

What medications are used for pneumonia?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are most often used. The choice of group of antibiotics and the route of their administration (orally, intramuscularly, intravenously) depends on the severity of pneumonia.

For mild forms of pneumonia, antibiotics are usually used in tablet form and in the form of intramuscular injections. The following drugs are used: Amoxicillin 1.0-3.0 grams per day in 3 doses (orally), cefotaxime 1-2 grams every 6 hours intramuscularly.

Treatment of mild pneumonia is possible at home, but under the supervision of a doctor.

Severe forms of pneumonia are treated in the hospital in the pulmonology department. Antibiotics in the hospital are administered either intramuscularly or intravenously.

The duration of antibiotic use should be at least 7 days (at the discretion of the attending physician)
The frequency of administration and dosage are also selected individually. As an example, we give standard drug regimens.

Cefazolin 0.5-1.0 grams intravenously 3-4 times a day.

Cefepime 0.5-1.0 grams intravenously 2 times a day.

On the 3-4th day of taking antibiotics (or simultaneously with the start of taking antibacterial drugs), an antifungal drug (fluconazole 150 milligrams, 1 tablet) is prescribed to prevent fungal infection.

An antibiotic destroys not only the pathogenic (disease-causing) flora, but also the natural (protective) flora of the body. Therefore there may be fungal infection, or intestinal dysbiosis. Therefore, the manifestation of intestinal dysbiosis can be manifested by loose stools and bloating. This condition is treated with drugs such as bifiform, subtil after completing a course of antibiotics.

When using antibiotics, it is also necessary to take vitamins C and group B in therapeutic doses. Expectorants and sputum thinners are also prescribed.

When the temperature normalizes, physiotherapy (UHF) is prescribed to improve the resorption of the source of inflammation. After the end of the UHF, 10-15 sessions of electrophoresis with potassium iodide, platiphylline, lidase are carried out.

Herbal medicine for pneumonia

These plants are mixed in equal parts, ground and 1 tablespoon of the collection is poured with 1 glass of boiling water, simmered for 10-20 minutes (boiling bath), infused for 1 hour, drunk 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day.

Physiotherapy an obligatory part of the treatment of patients with acute pneumonia. After normalization of body temperature, short-wave diathermy and UHF electric field can be prescribed. After completing the UHF course, 10-15 sessions of electrophoresis with potassium iodine and lidase are performed.

Adequate treatment of pneumonia is possible only under the supervision of the attending physician!

Therapeutic exercise for pneumonia

1. Strengthening the general condition of the patient
2. Improving lymph and blood circulation
3. Prevention of formation pleural adhesions
4. Strengthening the heart muscle

In the initial lying position, breathing exercises with simple movements of the limbs are performed 2-3 times a day. Then include slow turns of the body and bends of the body. The duration of classes is no more than 12-15 minutes.

For preschool children, gymnastics is used partly using a play method. For example, walking in various variations. Using the story “a walk in the forest” - a hunter, a bunny, a clubfooted bear. Breathing exercises (the porridge is boiling, the woodcutter, the ball burst). Drainage exercises - from a position, standing on all fours and lying on its side (the cat is angry and kind). Exercises for the chest muscles (mill, wings). Ends with walking with a gradual slowdown.

To finally convince you that treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, I will give several possible complications pneumonia.

An abscess (accumulation of pus in the lung), which, by the way, is treated with surgery.

Pulmonary edema - which, if not treated promptly, can lead to death.

Sepsis (the entry of microbes into the blood) and, accordingly, the spread of infection throughout the body.

Prevention of pneumonia

• Proper nutrition (fruits, vegetables, juices), walks fresh air, avoiding stress.
• In winter and spring, to avoid a decrease in immunity, you can take a multivitamin complex, for example, Vitrum.
• To give up smoking .
• Treatment of chronic diseases, moderate alcohol consumption.
• For children, it is important to avoid passive smoking, consult an otolaryngologist if the child often suffers from colds, and timely treatment of rickets and anemia.

Breathing exercises using yoga techniques for the prevention of diseases of the respiratory system

2. Stand up straight. Hands forward. Inhale: while holding the breath, wave your arms like a mill. Exhale vigorously with your mouth open.

3. Stand up straight. Grab yourself by the shoulders with your fingertips. While inhaling, connect your elbows to your chest and spread them wide several times. Exhale vigorously with your mouth wide open.

4. Stand up straight. Inhale in three vigorous, gradual breaths. In the first third, stretch your arms forward, in the second, to the sides, at shoulder level, in the third, up. Exhale forcefully, opening your mouth wide.

5. Stand up straight. Inhale, rising onto your toes. Hold your breath while standing on your toes. Exhale slowly through your nose, lowering onto your heels.

6. Stand up straight. As you inhale, rise onto your toes. Exhaling, sit down. Then stand up.

How does pneumonia manifest in children?

In most cases, pneumonia in children manifests itself in the form of three main syndromes.

The main syndromes of pneumonia in children are:

• general intoxication syndrome;
• syndrome of specific inflammation of lung tissue;
• respiratory distress syndrome.

Signs of general intoxication syndrome are:

• increased body temperature;
• increased heart rate ( more than 110 – 120 beats per minute for preschool children, more than 90 beats per minute for children over 7 years old);
• fatigue;
• fast fatiguability;
• drowsiness;
• pale skin;
• decreased appetite to the point of refusing to eat;
• rarely sweating;
• rarely vomiting.

Syndrome of specific inflammation of lung tissue
Most characteristic features pneumonia in children are signs indicating organic lung damage, infection and inflammation.

Signs of specific inflammation of the lung tissue during pneumonia are:

• cough;
• pain syndrome;
• auscultatory changes;
• radiological signs;
• deviations from the norm in the hemoleukogram ( general blood test).

Pneumonia in children usually goes away without pain. Painful sensations in the form of aching pain in the abdomen may appear when the lower segments of the lungs are affected.
When the inflammatory process from the lungs moves to the pleura ( the lining of the lungs), children complain of chest pain when breathing. The pain is especially worse when trying to take a deep breath and when coughing.

On radiographs of pneumonia in children, darker areas of lung tissue are noted, which correspond to the affected areas of the lungs. Areas can cover several segments or entire lobes. In a general blood test for pneumonia, it is observed increased level leukocytes due to neutrophils ( leukocytes with granules) and increased ESR ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

Respiratory distress syndrome
As a result of damage to the lung tissue during pneumonia, the area of ​​the “breathing” surface of the lungs decreases. As a result, children develop respiratory failure syndrome. The smaller the child, the faster he develops respiratory failure. The severity of this syndrome is also influenced by concomitant pathologies. So, if a child is weak and often gets sick, then the symptoms of respiratory failure will quickly increase.

Signs of respiratory failure with pneumonia are:

• dyspnea;
• tachypnea ( increased breathing movements);
• difficulty breathing;
• mobility of the wings of the nose when breathing;
• cyanosis ( bluish coloration) nasolabial triangle.

With pneumonia, children experience difficult, irregular breathing. Attempts to take a deep breath are accompanied by great efforts involving all muscle groups of the chest. During breathing in children, you can see retraction of the skin in the subcostal or supraclavicular area, as well as in the spaces between the ribs.
During inhalation, mobility of the wings of the nose is observed. The child seems to be trying to inhale more air by inflating the wings of his nose. This is another distinctive sign that indicates respiratory failure.

What are the features of pneumonia in newborns?

Another feature of pneumonia in newborns is the predominance of symptoms of general intoxication. So, if in adults pneumonia is more manifested by pulmonary symptoms ( cough, shortness of breath), then intoxication syndrome predominates in newborns ( refusal to feed, convulsions, vomiting).

Pneumonia in newborns may have the following manifestations:

• refusal to breastfeed;
• frequent regurgitation and vomiting;
• shortness of breath or wheezing;
• convulsions;
• loss of consciousness.

The first thing the mother notices is that the child refuses to eat. He whines, is restless, throws up his chest. In this case, a high temperature may not be observed, which will complicate the diagnosis of the disease. A slight increase in temperature or a decrease in temperature is usually observed in premature infants. High temperature is typical for children born at normal terms.

Newborns immediately show signs of respiratory failure. In this condition, an insufficient amount of oxygen enters the child’s body, and body tissues begin to experience oxygen starvation. Therefore, the child’s skin acquires a bluish tint. The skin of the face begins to turn blue first. Breathing becomes shallow, intermittent and frequent. The frequency of respiratory excursions reaches 80–100 per minute, while the norm is 40–60 per minute. At the same time, the children seem to groan. The breathing rhythm is also interrupted, and children often develop foamy saliva on their lips. Against the background of fever, convulsions occur in more than half of the cases. So-called febrile convulsions occur at high temperatures and are clonic or tonic in nature. Children's consciousness is rarely preserved at such moments. It is often confused, and children are sleepy and lethargic.

Another difference between pneumonia in newborns is the presence of so-called intrauterine pneumonia. Intrauterine pneumonia is one that developed in a child while he was still in the womb. The reason for this may be various infections that a woman suffered during pregnancy. Also, intrauterine pneumonia is typical for premature babies. This pneumonia appears immediately after the birth of the child and is characterized by a number of symptoms.

Intrauterine pneumonia in a newborn baby may have the following features:

• the baby’s first cry is weak or absent altogether;
• the baby's skin has a bluish tint;
• breathing is noisy, with multiple moist rales;
• decrease in all reflexes, the child reacts poorly to stimuli;
• the baby does not latch on to the breast;
• swelling of the limbs is possible.

Intrauterine pneumonia in newborns is most often caused by bacterial flora. These can be peptostreptococci, bacteroides, E. coli, but most often they are group B streptococci. In children after six months, pneumonia develops against the background of a viral infection. So, a viral infection develops first ( for example, flu), to which bacteria subsequently attach.

The most common pathogens of pneumonia in children of the first year of life

The following forms of pneumonia are typical for newborn children:

• microfocal pneumonia– on X-ray images there are small areas of darkening ( appears white on film);
• segmental pneumonia– the focus of inflammation occupies one or more segments of the lung;
• interstitial pneumonia– it is not the alveoli themselves that are affected, but the interstitial tissue between them.

What temperature can there be with pneumonia?

The nature of the temperature depends on the form of pneumonia, the degree of reactivity of the body and, of course, the age of the patient.

How does pneumonia caused by Klebsiella occur?

The main syndromes that dominate the clinical picture of pneumonia caused by Klebsiella are intoxication syndrome and lung tissue damage syndrome.

Intoxication syndrome
One of the important features of Klebsiella pneumonia is its acute, sudden onset due to the action of microbial toxins on the human body.

The main manifestations of intoxication syndrome are:

• temperature;
• chills;
• general weakness;
• increased sweating;
• dizziness;
• headache;
• delirium;
• prostration.

Lung tissue damage syndrome
Klebsiella are quite aggressive towards lung tissue, causing destruction ( destruction) lung parenchyma. For this reason, the course of Klebsiella pneumonia is particularly severe.

Symptoms of lung tissue damage due to pneumonia caused by Klebsiella are:

• cough;
• sputum;
• pain syndrome;
• dyspnea;
• cyanosis ( bluish coloration).

Sputum
Sputum from Klebsiella pneumonia contains particles of destroyed lung tissue, so it has a reddish color. It can be compared to currant jelly. Sometimes there are streaks of blood in the sputum. Also, sputum has a sharp, specific odor, reminiscent of burnt meat. On the 5th – 6th day from the onset of the disease, large quantities of bloody sputum are released.

Pain syndrome
Firstly, there is constant pain in the throat and chest area due to persistent cough. Secondly, pleural pain appears. The inflammatory process from the lungs quickly spreads to the pleural layers ( membranes of the lungs), which have a large number of nerve endings. Any irritation of the pleura causes severe pain in the chest area, especially in the lower sections. The pain intensifies when coughing, walking, bending the body.

Dyspnea
Due to the destruction of lung tissue by Klebsiella, the area of ​​the alveoli involved in the breathing process decreases. For this reason, shortness of breath occurs. When several lobes of the lungs are affected, shortness of breath becomes severe even at rest.

Cyanosis
Severe respiratory failure leads to the appearance of a bluish coloration of the nasolabial triangle ( area covering the nose and lips). This is especially pronounced on the lips and tongue. The rest of the face becomes paler with a grayish tint. The bluish color of the skin under the nails also stands out.

In particularly severe cases of Klebsiella pneumonia with severe intoxication syndrome, other organs and systems are often affected. If treatment is not timely, in 30–35 percent of cases the disease ends in death.

What are the features of the course of lobar pneumonia?

Main features of the course of lobar pneumonia

What is the difference between viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia?

Differences between viral and bacterial pneumonia

What is nosocomial pneumonia?

The term "hospital-acquired" means that pneumonia is caused by bacteria living within the walls of hospitals. These bacteria are particularly resistant and have multidrug resistance ( resistant to several drugs at once). Also, nosocomial pneumonia in most cases is caused not by one microbe, but by a microbial association ( several pathogens). Conventionally, early and late hospital-acquired pneumonia are distinguished. Early pneumonia develops within the first 5 days from the moment of hospitalization. Late hospital-acquired pneumonia develops no earlier than the sixth day from the moment the patient enters the hospital.

Thus, the course of hospital-acquired pneumonia is complicated by both the polymorphism of bacteria and their special resistance to medications.

The most common pathogens of hospital-acquired pneumonia

Risk factors for the development of nosocomial pneumonia are:

• old age ( over 60 years);
• smoking;
• previous infections, including those of the respiratory system;
• chronic diseases ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is of particular importance);
• unconsciousness with a high risk of aspiration;
• feeding through a tube;
• long horizontal position ( when the patient stays for a long time supine position );
• connecting the patient to a ventilator.

Clinically, nosocomial pneumonia is very severe and has numerous consequences.

Symptoms of hospital-acquired pneumonia are:

• temperature more than 38.5 degrees;
• cough with phlegm;
• purulent sputum;
• frequent shallow breathing;
• interruptions in breathing;
• changes in the blood - may be observed as an increase in the number of leukocytes ( more than 9x 10 9), and their reduction ( less than 4x 10 9);
• decreased blood oxygen levels ( oxygenation) less than 97 percent;
• The x-ray shows new foci of inflammation.

What is SARS?

Symptoms of atypical pneumonia are:

• high fever - more than 38 degrees, and for pneumonia caused by Legionella - 40 degrees;
• symptoms of general intoxication predominate, such as painful headaches, muscle pain;
• erased pulmonary symptoms - moderate, non-productive ( no sputum) cough, and if sputum appears, then its amount is insignificant;
• the presence of extrapulmonary symptoms characteristic of the pathogen ( for example, rashes);
• mild changes in the blood - no leukocytosis, which is characteristic of pneumococcal pneumonia.
• The radiograph shows an atypical picture - there are no pronounced foci of darkening;
• there is no reaction to sulfonamide drugs.

A feature of this atypical pneumonia is also the erased pulmonary symptoms and severe intoxication syndrome. Also, with pneumonia caused by coronavirus, multiple changes in internal organs are noted. This happens because, upon entering the body, the virus spreads very quickly to the kidneys, lungs, and liver.

Features of atypical viral pneumonia or SARS are:

• Mostly adults from 25 to 65 years old are affected; isolated cases have been reported among children;
• the incubation period lasts from 2 to 10 days;
• the route of transmission of infection is airborne and fecal-oral;
• pulmonary symptoms appear on day 5, and before that, symptoms of viral intoxication appear - chills, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea ( this course of the disease can imitate an intestinal infection);
• on the blood side, there is a decrease in the number of both lymphocytes and platelets ( which often provokes hemorrhagic syndrome);
• V biochemical analysis blood there is an increase in liver enzymes, which reflects liver damage by the virus.
• Complications such as distress syndrome, toxic shock, and acute respiratory failure quickly develop.

What are the stages of development of pneumonia?

The stages of development of pneumonia are:

• onset stage;
• high stage;
• resolution stage.

Stage of onset of pneumonia
The onset of the inflammatory process in the lungs is characterized by a sharp, sudden deterioration in the general condition of the patient against the background of complete health. Sudden changes in the body are explained by its hyperergic ( excessive) reaction to the causative agent of pneumonia and its toxins.

The first symptom of the disease is low-grade body temperature ( 37 – 37.5 degrees). In the first 24 hours it quickly increases to levels of 38 - 39 degrees and more. High body temperature is accompanied by a number of symptoms caused by general intoxication of the body with pathogen toxins.

Symptoms of general intoxication of the body are:

• headaches and dizziness;
• general fatigue;
• fast fatiguability;
• accelerated heartbeat ( more than 90 – 95 beats per minute);
• a sharp decrease in performance;
• loss of appetite;
• the appearance of blush on the cheeks;
• blueness of the nose and lips;
• herpetic rashes on the mucous membranes of the lips and nose;
• increased sweating.

Stage of height of pneumonia
During the peak stage, symptoms of general intoxication of the body increase, and signs of inflammation of the lung tissue also appear. Body temperature remains high and is difficult to treat with antipyretic drugs.

Symptoms of pneumonia at its height are:

• severe chest pain;
• increased breathing;
• cough;
• sputum production;
• dyspnea.

During the peak phase, a persistent cough persists. Due to constant irritation of the pleural layers, the cough intensifies and becomes painful. At the height of the disease, thick mucopurulent sputum begins to be released with a cough. Initially, the color of sputum is gray-yellow or yellow-green. Gradually, streaks of blood and particles of destroyed lungs appear in the discharge. This gives the sputum a bloody rusty color. During the height of the disease, sputum is released in large quantities.

As a result of inflammation of the respiratory surface of the lungs, respiratory failure occurs, which is characterized by severe shortness of breath. In the first two days of the height of the disease, shortness of breath appears during movement and normal physical activity. Gradually, shortness of breath appears when performing minimal physical activity and even at rest. Sometimes it can be accompanied by dizziness and severe fatigue.

Disease resolution stage
At the stage of resolution of the disease, all symptoms of pneumonia subside.
Signs of general intoxication of the body disappear, and body temperature normalizes.
The cough gradually subsides, and the sputum becomes less viscous, as a result of which it is easily separated. Its volumes are decreasing. Chest pain appears only with sudden movements or severe cough. Breathing gradually normalizes, but shortness of breath persists during normal physical activity. Visually there is a slight lag of half of the chest.

What complications can pneumonia cause?

Pulmonary complications of pneumonia are:

• development of obstructive syndrome;

With pleurisy, symptoms of respiratory failure quickly increase. In this case, the skin quickly becomes cyanotic, and interruptions in the functioning of the heart are observed.

Empyema
Empyema, or purulent pleurisy, is also a serious complication of pneumonia. With empyema, it is not fluid that accumulates in the pleural cavity, but pus. Empyema symptoms are similar exudative pleurisy, but are expressed much more intensely. The main symptom is high temperature ( 39 – 40 degrees) hectic in nature. This type of fever is characterized by daily temperature fluctuations of 2 to 3 degrees. So, the temperature from 40 degrees can sharply drop to 36.6. Sharp rises and falls in temperature are accompanied by chills and cold sweat. With empyema, the cardiovascular system also suffers. The heart rate rises to 120 beats per minute or more.

Lung abscess
With an abscess, a cavity forms in the lung ( or several cavities) in which purulent contents accumulate. An abscess is a destructive process, so in its place the lung tissue is destroyed. The symptoms of this condition are characterized by severe intoxication. Until a certain time, the abscess remains closed. But later he breaks through. It can break into the bronchial cavity or into the pleural cavity. In the first case there is copious discharge purulent contents. Pus from the lung cavity exits through the bronchus to the outside. The patient develops foul-smelling, profuse sputum. At the same time, the patient’s condition improves when the abscess ruptures, and the temperature drops.
If the abscess breaks into the pleural cavity, pleural empyema develops.

Development of obstructive syndrome
Symptoms of obstructive syndrome are shortness of breath and periodic attacks of suffocation. This is due to the fact that the lung tissue at the site of the former pneumonia loses its functionality. In its place develops connective tissue, which replaces not only lung tissue, but also its vessels.

Pulmonary edema
Edema is the most serious complication of pneumonia, with a very high mortality rate. In this case, water from the vessels penetrates first into the interstitium of the lungs, and then into the alveoli themselves. Thus, the alveoli, which are normally filled with air, are filled with water.

In this state, a person quickly begins to choke and becomes agitated. A cough appears, which is accompanied by discharge frothy sputum. The pulse rises to 200 beats per minute, the skin becomes covered with cold, sticky sweat. This condition requires resuscitation measures.

Extrapulmonary complications of pneumonia are:

• toxic shock;
• toxic myocarditis;

Toxic shock
Toxic shock is a condition in which toxins from bacteria and viruses enter the patient's bloodstream. This emergency, in which multiple organ failure is observed. Multiple organ failure means that more than 3 organs and systems are involved in the pathological process. Most often the cardiovascular, renal, digestive and nervous systems are affected. The main symptoms are fever, low blood pressure and a polymorphic rash on the body.

Toxic myocarditis
Myocarditis is called damage to the heart muscle, as a result of which its function is lost. The greatest cardiotropism ( selectivity for cardiac muscle) viruses have. Therefore, viral pneumonia is most often complicated by toxic myocarditis. Bacteria such as mycoplasma and chlamydia also specifically affect cardiac tissue.
The main symptoms are heart rhythm disturbances, cardiac weakness, and shortness of breath.

Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the serous membrane that covers the heart. Pericarditis may develop independently or precede myocarditis. In this case, inflammatory fluid accumulates in the pericardial cavity, which subsequently puts pressure on the heart and compresses it. As a result, the main symptom of pericarditis develops – shortness of breath. In addition to shortness of breath, a patient suffering from pericarditis complains of weakness, pain in the heart area, and a dry cough.

Meningitis
Meningitis ( inflammation of the meningeal membranes of the brain) develops due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the central nervous system. Meningitis can also be either bacterial or viral, depending on the etiology of the pneumonia.
The main symptoms of meningitis are nausea, vomiting, photophobia and a stiff neck.

Hepatitis
It is a very common complication of atypical pneumonia. With hepatitis, the liver tissue is affected, as a result of which the liver ceases to perform its functions. Since the liver plays the role of a filter in the body, when it is damaged, all metabolic products are not removed from the body, but remain in it. With hepatitis, a large amount of bilirubin enters the blood from destroyed liver cells, which leads to the development of jaundice. The patient also complains of nausea, vomiting, dull pain in the right hypochondrium.

What antibiotics are used in the treatment of pneumonia?

Drugs used in the treatment of typical pneumonia

Also, having studied the patient’s medical history in detail, he can guess what the nature of the disease is. If the patient has recently been hospitalized, then most likely it is nosocomial ( hospital) pneumonia. If the clinical picture is dominated by symptoms of general intoxication, and the pneumonia is more like measles or mumps, then most likely it is atypical pneumonia. If this is intrauterine pneumonia of a newborn child, then perhaps it is caused by gram-negative bacilli or Staphylococcus aureus.

As soon as pneumonia has been diagnosed, antibacterial drugs are prescribed ( if it's bacterial pneumonia).

Drugs used in the treatment of atypical pneumonia

It is important to note that although antibiotic therapy is the basic treatment, other drugs are also used in the treatment of pneumonia. Antibiotic therapy is mandatory in parallel with the prescription of antifungal drugs ( for the prevention of candidiasis) and other drugs to eliminate the main symptoms of pneumonia ( for example, antipyretics to lower fever).

Is there a vaccine against pneumonia?

The Prevenar vaccine is one of the most modern and most expensive. The vaccine is prescribed in three doses with an interval of one month. It is believed that immunity after vaccination is developed after a month. The Synflorix vaccine is given on the same schedule as Prevenar. Pneumo-23 is the oldest vaccine currently in existence. It is installed once and is valid for about 5 years. A significant disadvantage of this vaccination is that it can only be given after reaching the age of two. It is known that newborn children are the most vulnerable category in terms of the development of pneumonia.

It should be noted right away that vaccination against pneumonia does not mean that a child or adult will not get sick again. Firstly, you can get pneumonia of another origin, for example, staphylococcal. And secondly, even from pneumococcal pneumonia, immunity does not develop for life. Vaccine manufacturers warn that it is possible to get sick again after vaccination, but the patient will survive the disease much easier.

Besides pneumococcal vaccine There is a vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae. Haemophilus influenzae, or influenza bacillus, is also a common cause of pneumonia. The following three vaccines are registered in Russia - Act-HIB, Hiberix and Pentaxim. They are given at the same time as the polio and hepatitis B vaccines.

As for vaccination against viral pneumonia, it is a little more complicated. It is known that viruses are capable of mutating, that is, changing. Therefore, it is very difficult to model a vaccine against a particular virus. As soon as science invents one vaccine against a known virus, it changes and the vaccine becomes ineffective.

How does aspiration pneumonia develop?

Aspiration pneumonia can develop under the following conditions:

• alcohol intoxication;
• drug intoxication;
• use of certain medications;
• unconscious state;
• severe, uncontrollable vomiting;
• early childhood.

In children, aspiration pneumonia can develop when food particles enter the bronchi. This happens when complementary foods are introduced into the baby’s diet. Porridges, such as buckwheat, are the most dangerous. Even one buckwheat grain, once in the lungs, causes local inflammation.

Another risk group is people taking psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants or hypnotics ( sleeping pills). These drugs weaken all body reactions, including reflexes. People, especially those who take sleeping pills, are in a sleepy, somewhat slow state. Therefore, the obstruction in their airways is weakened, and food ( or drinks) easily penetrates the lungs.

Foreign bodies entering the lung tissue ( vomit, food) cause inflammation and the development of pneumonia.