Pneumonia

Pneumonia can have various natures, which affects the course of the disease and the choice of therapy:

• community-acquired: most commonly encountered, usually caused by bacteria or viruses;
• hospital-acquired: develops in a hospital, often resistant to antibiotics and more severe;
• aspiration: occurs when food, liquid, vomit, or chemicals enter the airways;
• atypical: caused by mycoplasmas, chlamydia, or legionella and manifests with unusual symptoms.

Pneumonia is caused by infectious agents or the impact of adverse factors. Main causes:

• bacterial infection, most often Streptococcus pneumoniae;
• influenza viruses, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus;
• fungal microorganisms, especially in people with weakened immunity;
• aspiration of foreign particles, toxic substances, or stomach contents.

The inflammatory process in the lungs leads to a number of changes:

• alveoli fill with exudate and immune cells;
• gas exchange worsens, causing hypoxemia;
• the viscosity of sputum increases, complicating its expulsion;
• ventilation of certain lung areas is disrupted;
• the body expends more energy on the inflammatory response, causing weakness.

Symptoms can develop gradually or suddenly. Main manifestations:

• cough – dry or with sputum, often worsening at night;
• shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air even with minimal activity;
• chest pain when inhaling or coughing;
• fever, chills, body aches;
• decreased appetite, weakness, headaches;
• in the elderly, possible lethargy, confusion.

• smoking and vaping; disrupt the protective mechanisms of the lungs;
• age under 5 and over 65;
• chronic diseases: COPD, asthma, diabetes;
• use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors;
• stress, lack of sleep, low physical activity;
• deficiency of vitamins A, D, C, K2, zinc, selenium.

Accurate diagnosis helps determine the type of pathogen and severity. Main methods:

• auscultation: the doctor detects wheezing, crackling, weakened breath sounds;
• X-ray: shows the localization and extent of inflammation;
• blood test: demonstrates signs of inflammation and infectious load;
• sputum analysis: allows identification of the pathogen;
• pulse oximetry: assesses the level of blood oxygen saturation.

• pleurisy and fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity;
• respiratory failure;
• sepsis and septic shock;
• lung abscess;
• formation of fibrous changes with late treatment.

Therapy depends on the cause of the disease and the severity of the condition.

Main directions:

• antibiotics for bacterial forms;
• antiviral drugs for confirmed viral etiology;
• antipyretics and anti-inflammatory agents;
• inhalations and air humidification to ease breathing;
• sufficient hydration, rest, normalization of sleep;
• oxygen support in severe cases.

• vitamin D: regulates immune response and reduces the risk of severe course;
• vitamin A: participates in the restoration of the respiratory epithelium;
• vitamin C: reduces inflammation and supports immunity;
• zinc: accelerates tissue regeneration and has antiviral effects;
• selenium: supports antioxidant protection of the lungs;
• omega-3: reduces the severity of the inflammatory process;
• electrolytes; necessary in case of high temperature and fluid loss.

• start antibiotics on your own;
• suppress cough with strong antitussives;
• visit baths and saunas;
• continue intense workouts;
• interrupt treatment immediately after improvement.

• saturation below 92%;
• shortness of breath at rest, respiratory rate above 30 per minute;
• severe weakness or confusion;
• temperature above 39.5 °C, poorly responsive to reduction;
• drop in blood pressure.

• acute symptoms resolve within 1–3 weeks;
• cough may persist for up to 6 weeks;
• complete recovery of lung tissue takes 2–3 months;
• after severe pneumonia – up to six months.