Pneumonia is a group of acute infectious (mainly bacterial) diseases of the lungs with different etiology, pathogenesis, morphological picture and clinical manifestations, which are characterized by damage to the respiratory sections of the lungs and the formation of an obligatory inflammatory exudate in the alveoli.
This definition of pneumonia emphasizes the infectious origin of the exudative, inflammatory
disease of the alveoli, which develops in response to the introduction and proliferation of microorganisms in the pulmonary parenchyma.
In contrast to the latter, inflammatory diseases of the alveoli of non-infectious origin are called pneumonitis.
Pneumonia classifications
1.Community-acquired pneumonia
2.Hospital-acquired pneumonia
3.Aspiration pneumonia
4.Pneumonia in patients with immunodeficiency states.
Symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia are:
1.Fever
2.Cough with or without sputum production
3.Chest pain of a pleuritic nature
4.Shortness of breath
5.General intoxication syndrome.
Acute onset of the disease with a rise in temperature to 38* and above, sudden occurrence or significant intensification of cough with the release of purulent or hemorrhagic sputum, the appearance of percussion and auscultatory phenomena, leukocytosis or leukopenia, X-ray signs of pneumonia.
Treatment
The duration of treatment for community-acquired pneumonia is on average 7-10 days. The minimum duration of treatment is 5 days if the patient has not had a fever for 48 hours and has no more than one clinical symptom associated with pneumonia.
Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is most often caused by highly virulent autogenous microflora or pathogenic strains circulating in the hospital: pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus, klebsiella, enterococcus, proteus, bluetongue, legionella, anaerobic bacteria.
Pathway of invasion of microorganisms
1.Innate path
2.Airborne
3.Hematogenous
4.Contagious
Hematogenous and contagious paths occur rarely.
Pneumonia can progress quickly and cause serious complications. Early
medical consultation ensures proper diagnosis and treatment, reducing risks and promoting a faster recovery.