Bronchopneummony is a type of lung infection that can be caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria, although it is a type of pneumonia, in addition to affecting the pulmonary alveoli, bronchopneumony also affects bronchi, which are the largest pathway through which air passes.enters the lungs.
Due to inflammation of the bronchi, air cannot easily enter the lungs and, therefore, it is very common to develop symptoms such as severe shortness of air, pale skin, bluish lips and a feeling of fatigue.
- Treatment can usually be done at home and begins with the use of antibiotics.
- With bacteria being the main culprits of the infection.
- However.
- Treatment may need to be modified if it does not work.
- For example.
- A pneumologist should always be consulted.
- To make the treatment more appropriate and evaluate it over time.
Main symptoms
To identify bronchopneummony it is necessary to be aware of the appearance of symptoms such as:
In infants and children, symptoms may be slightly different and usually include:
Bronchopneummony in infants is very common because their immune system is still underdeveloped, which facilitates the development of bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause this type of infection, as soon as the first symptoms appear it is important to consult the pediatrician immediately to prevent the disease from getting worse.
Diagnosis of bronchopneummony may be made by a family doctor, pneumologist or even a pediatrician for children.Generally, to make the diagnosis, in addition to assessing symptoms, your doctor also listens to your breathing with the stethoscope and may order other tests such as chest x-rays, blood tests, CT scans or bronchoscopy, for example.
Treatment of bronchopneummony in most cases can be done at home, taking antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and azithromycin, which combat the main microorganisms responsible for the disease, in addition, the family doctor or pneumologist may also recommend the use of medications to relieve and soothe cough or a liquid diet to prevent dehydration.
Treatment usually lasts on average 14 days and during this time it is recommended to take other precautions such as:
In addition, to prevent transmission of the disease, you should also cover your mouth to cough, wash your hands regularly and avoid going to public and closed places.
In more severe cases, bronchopneummony may result in hospitalization, where oxygen, antibiotic injections, and respiratory physiotherapy may be required, helping to clear the airways.
When the first symptoms of bronchopneumony appear, it is important to consult a family doctor or pneumologist for a chest x-ray and pulmonary auscultation, so that the disease can be diagnosed and treatment initiated.
Bronchopneumony is caused by various types of fungi, viruses and bacteria that can be transported by air or through objects and hands.As a result, some ways to prevent infection include:
These measures are especially important for children and the elderly, as well as for people whose immune systems are weakened by diseases such as asthma, diabetes, lupus or HIV.