Viral pneumonia is a type of lung infection that causes inflammation of the respiratory system and causes certain symptoms, such as fever, shortness of breath and coughing, that worsen over time.This type of pneumonia occurs most often in people with weaker immune systems.like children and the elderly in particular.
Os principais vírus causadores deste tipo de pneumonia são os vírus que causam resfriados e gripes, como o Influenza do tipo A, B ou C, H1N1, H5N1 e o novo coronavírus de 2019 (COVID-19) além de outros como vírus parainfluenza, vírus sincicial respiratório e adenovírus, por exemplo, que podem ser transportados nas gotas de saliva ou de secreção respiratória que ficam suspensas no ar de uma pessoa infectada para outra.
- Apesar dos vírus relacionados com a pneumonia viral serem facilmente transmitidos de uma pessoa para outra.
- Nem sempre a pessoa desenvolve a pneumonia.
- Na maioria das vezes desenvolve os sintomas de resfriado ou gripe.
- Já que o sistema imunológico é capaz de combater esse vírus.
- No entanto.
- Mesmo que o risco de desenvolver pneumonia não seja alto.
- é importante adotar medidas de precaução.
- Como evitar entrar em contato próximo com a pessoa doente e ter bons hábitos de higiene.
- Lavando as mãos regularmente.
Symptoms of viral pneumonia may appear a few days after contact with the virus and worsen over the days, with the main signs and symptoms being:
In the elderly, symptoms of pneumonia can also include mental confusion, extreme fatigue and lack of appetite, even in the absence of fever. In infants or children, it is also very common to have very fast breathing that causes excessive wing opening.nose.
Viral pneumonia differs from bacterial pneumonia in that it usually starts more suddenly, produces a more transparent or white phlegm, in addition to presenting other signs of viral infection, such as nasal congestion, sinusitis, eye irritation and sneezing, for example, however, It can be difficult to differentiate the two types of infection without testing; However, it is important for your doctor to perform tests to identify the agent that causes pneumonia, and therefore the treatment of pneumonia is as effective as possible.
For infants, parents may be suspicious of pneumonia when symptoms similar to the baby’s flu take time to disappear or worsen during the week, such as a fever that doesn’t decrease, a constant cough, lack of appetite, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath.for example Example.
It is important that the baby is taken to the pediatrician for testing and diagnosis to be completed, initiating appropriate treatment, and it is also important to take care during the baby’s treatment, such as:
In the most severe cases, where the baby does not want to eat, is short of air or has a fever greater than 39 degrees Celsius, the pediatrician may recommend hospitalization to receive oxygen, do medication in the vein, and receive serum when he or she cannot feed..
To confirm the diagnosis of this disease, your doctor may request samples of respiratory nose and throat secretions for laboratory tests, which should ideally be taken on the 3rd day of the disease, but which can be taken on the 7th day.after symptoms to identify the virus.
In addition, tests such as chest x-ray are used to evaluate lung failure and blood tests, such as blood formula and arterial gasometry, to assess blood oxygenation to verify the extent and severity of the infection.suspected pneumonia, it is advisable to consult with your family doctor or pediatrician or pneumologist, or go to the emergency room, to start proper treatment and prevent the disease from getting worse.
Treatment of viral infections is guided by your doctor and should be done with certain guidelines such as:
In addition, the treatment of viral pneumonia or influenza caused by H1N1, H5N1 or the new coronavirus (COVID-19), in people at higher risk of developing pneumonia, such as the elderly and children, also involves the use of antivirals prescribed by the general.doctor or pneumologist, such as oseltamivir, zanamivir and ribavirin, for example.
Treatment can be done at home, but when the person shows signs of severity, such as shortness of breath, low blood oxygenation, mental confusion, or changes in kidney function, for example, hospitalization may be necessary to take medication in the vein and use oxygen.Mask Learn more about treating viral pneumonia.
To prevent viral infections of any kind, it is very important to keep your hands clean, wash or use an alcoholic gel, whenever you visit public places, with buses, shopping malls and markets, as well as avoid sharing personal items such as cutlery and lenses.
The influenza vaccine, which is applied annually, is also an important way to prevent infection with major types of viruses.
Watch the following video on how to wash your hands properly to avoid a viral infection: