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Pneumonia is a respiratory infection caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi that can cause symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing and feeling short of breath.
Pneumonia symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually, appearing when the immune system is weakened, such as after a cold or flu, which do not go away or worsen over time.
Alveoli with pneumonia
Pneumonia symptoms online test
Although there are different types of pneumonia, in most cases, the symptoms are similar, varying only the treatment indicated by the pulmonologist. To find out if you may have pneumonia, select your symptoms:
- 1. Fever above 38º C No Yes
- 2. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath No Yes
- 3. Breathing faster than normal No Yes
- 4. Dry cough No Yes
- 5. Cough with greenish phlegm or blood No Yes
- 6. Chest pain No Yes
- 7. Constant headache No Yes
- 8. Frequent tiredness or muscle pain No Yes
- 9. Intense night sweats No Yes
These symptoms can also vary slightly depending on whether it is an adult, baby or elderly person. Thus, in addition to the symptoms indicated, a baby or child, who have more difficulty explaining what they feel, may also have other signs such as agitation, tremors, vomiting, decreased appetite and, in the case of babies, excessive crying.
In the elderly, it is possible that other symptoms develop, such as confusion and memory loss, associated with fever, difficulty breathing and coughing.
How to confirm pneumonia
The diagnosis of pneumonia is usually made through the evaluation of symptoms and an X-ray examination, to check the health status of the lungs. In addition, other tests may also be ordered, such as conventional blood tests, a phlegm exam, cultures or an arterial blood gas analysis, which are used to assess changes in the blood and to identify the type of infection present. Find out what arterial blood gases consist of.
Treatment options
Treatment for pneumonia can be done with antibiotics, but keeping the airway clear and eating easily digestible, immunity-boosting foods are excellent ways to recover faster. Thus, the treatment indicated by the pulmonologist can be done with the following options:
1. Medicines to eliminate the virus or bacteria
In mild cases, the majority of pneumonia treatment can be done at home, by taking medications that fight the microorganisms responsible for causing the disease. After confirming pneumonia, in most cases, it is not possible to immediately find out which microorganism is causing the disease. However, as bacteria are the most common infectious agent, the doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics.
In children under 1 year of age and in the elderly over 70 and who have other associated health problems, such as diabetes, the doctor may prefer that the person is admitted to receive treatment at the hospital. In the most severe cases, when practically the person cannot breathe alone, it may be necessary to stay in the ICU.
2. Home treatment
The treatment can last up to 21 days, and some precautions are recommended, which can be seen as a home treatment for pneumonia, such as:
- Drink a lot of water;
- Cover your mouth to cough and wash your hands regularly to prevent transmission of the disease;
- Avoid going to public or closed places;
- Nebulize with saline or medications, when indicated;
- Rest and rest, avoiding efforts;
- Do not take cough medicine without medical advice;
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
These precautions prevent the transmission and worsening of the disease, ensuring correct recovery.
3. What to eat to recover faster
Food is also a very important factor throughout the recovery process, it is recommended to bet on the consumption of vegetable soups, echinacea tea, garlic, onions or propolis extract. Watch the video of our nutritionist for other tips:
What are the causes of pneumonia
Some conditions that can cause pneumonia include:
- Viruses or bacteria present in the nose or throat that reach the lung;
- Aspiration of an object into the lungs, as can happen when the child puts a bean or a small toy in the nose and it will stop in the lung;
- Aspiration of vomiting, causing inflammation of the lung tissues;
- Use of some equipment to help you breathe, like CPAP, and it is dirty, with viruses or bacteria that go directly to the lung;
- Admission to the hospital up to 48 hours before symptoms appear, which indicates that the virus or bacteria reached the person's lungs when they were still in the hospital, but the symptoms did not begin to manifest until days later.
The people most affected are children under 5 years old and the elderly over 70 years old, who have a more fragile health, becoming sick more easily. However, anyone can get pneumonia, especially if they have any changes, such as difficulty swallowing, failing to eliminate the phlegm or having a weakened immune system, because they are being treated for cancer or HIV, for example.