Viral Pneumonia

The figure shows an x-ray of a patient that infected by the viral pneumonia

What is it?

It is the inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lungs due to infection of a virus

What causes it?

• Adenovirus
• Influenza
• Parainfluenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Cough (with some pneumonias you may cough up mucus, or even bloody mucus)
• Fever, which may be mild or high
• Shaking chills
• Shortness of breath (may only occur when you climb stairs)

 

 



The figure shows the alveoli filled fluid

 

 

Other symptoms include:

• Confusion, especially in older people
• Excessive sweating and clammy skin
• Headache
• Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
• Fatigue

 

Treatment

• Corticosteroid medicines
• Increased fluids
• Oxygen
• Use of humidified air

A hospital stay may be necessary to prevent dehydration and to help with breathing if the infection is serious.

 


You can take these steps at home:


Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. Cough medicines may make it harder for your body to cough up the extra sputum.