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What Are The Symptoms Of Viral Pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia is pneumonia that develops as a result of a viral infection in the lungs. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, and more.

The symptoms of viral pneumonia are often similar to those of bacterial pneumonia, but, depending on the virus responsible, there may be a few additional symptoms.

A wide range of viruses can cause viral pneumonia, including influenza and coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.

Viral pneumonia is often mild, but in rare cases, it can be life threatening.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of viral pneumonia.

The symptoms of viral pneumonia can range in severity and may include the following:

fever

a cough that is likely to be dry initially but may produce yellow or green mucus

shortness of breath

shaking

chills

muscle aches

fatigue

malaise

weakness

loss of appetite

blue tint to the lips

Some people with viral pneumonia may also have a sore throat or a headache, depending on the underlying cause of the infection.

Viral pneumonia tends to present differently in each age group.

Young children with viral pneumonia generally have mild symptoms that gradually worsen. A child with viral pneumonia may develop noticeable wheezing, and their skin and lips often take on a blue tint due to a lack of oxygen. They are also likely to lose their appetite.

On the other hand, adults over the age of 65 years may experience abnormally low body temperatures, confusion, and dizziness.

A wide range of viruses can cause viral pneumonia, including:

Viruses spread easily when affected people sneeze or cough. A person can also get the infection if they come into contact with a contaminated surface.

Coronaviruses, a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illness, can lead to viral pneumonia. They include SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the viral outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

According to the WHO, most reported cases are relatively mild — 81% of people have illness that causes no complications, while 14% will develop serious illness and need oxygen therapy, and 5% will need treatment in an intensive care unit.

Severe pneumonia is among the most common complications resulting from severe COVID-19. It may develop by the end of the first week of infection.

People with preexisting health conditions and older adults are more likely to develop severe pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2.

The situation is still developing, so these findings and figures may change.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

Viral pneumonia can affect anyone, as the viruses that cause it are very contagious.

However, the following factors may increase a person's risk of developing viral pneumonia:

being older than 65 or under 2 years of age

living in a group setting, such as a nursing home, prison, or dormitory

working in a hospital or nursing home

tobacco smoking

alcohol or illicit drug abuse

having a chronic illness, such as a heart, respiratory, or autoimmune disease

having a compromised immune system, possibly due to cancer or HIV

recovering from a recent viral infection

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. Doctors classify pneumonia according to its cause. The usual causes of pneumonia include:

bacteria

viruses

fungal infections

Bacterial and viral pneumonia are more common than pneumonia resulting from fungal infections.

Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae cause bacterial pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia.

The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may include:

very high fever

shaking chills, or rigors

rapid breathing

shortness of breath

a cough with blood or mucus

tiredness or lack of energy

Viral pneumonia may have some of the same symptoms, but the symptoms tend to be less severe.

Bacterial pneumonia requires treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics do not help treat viral pneumonia unless there is a secondary bacterial cause.

A doctor will be able to diagnose viral pneumonia.

They will generally begin by asking about any symptoms and carrying out a physical examination. As part of the examination, the doctor will listen to the lungs for any abnormal sounds that may indicate pneumonia.

These sounds may include crackling in the lungs or wheezing while breathing. A doctor will also check for a rapid heart rate and decreased airflow.

If the doctor suspects that pneumonia may be present, they are likely to order some of the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

chest X-ray

nasal swab to check for viruses

sputum culture of the mucus from the lungs

blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) to look for inflammatory markers

arterial blood gas test

The tests that the doctor decides to order will depend on the severity of a person's symptoms and whether they are in one of the higher risk groups.

People with a higher risk of developing pneumonia should see a doctor or visit an emergency room immediately if they develop flu-like symptoms alongside any of the following:

chest pain

a high fever

confusion in older adults

difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

Pneumonia can be extremely serious in higher risk individuals. These people will need immediate treatment for the best outcome.

Viral pneumonia usually goes away on its own. Therefore, treatment focuses on easing some of the symptoms. A person with viral pneumonia should get sufficient rest and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

A doctor may prescribe cough-relieving medication to help ease coughing. People should only take cough suppressant medicine if and when a doctor instructs them to because coughing helps clear the infection from the lungs. For those with thick lung mucus, a doctor may prescribe a cough expectorant.

In some cases of viral pneumonia, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medication to reduce viral activity. This treatment tends to be most effective when the virus is in the early stage of infection.

In rare instances, a doctor may hospitalize a person with viral pneumonia. People over the age of 65 or with chronic health conditions are more likely to need hospital care. The very young are also at higher risk for serious viral pneumonia.

The viruses that cause viral pneumonia are contagious. During the cold and flu season, a person can take steps to stay healthy. These steps may protect against viral pneumonia and other viral illnesses.

Some techniques that people can use to try to prevent getting sick include:

washing the hands frequently with warm water and soap

getting a flu shot

avoiding touching the nose or mouth

getting enough sleep

exercising regularly

eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

practicing physical distancing, including staying away from people who are sneezing and coughing

Most people with viral pneumonia recover within a few weeks. However, some people may take several weeks to recover fully, especially those who have a weakened immune system or are over the age of 65 years.

While viral pneumonia can be contagious, a person can practice good hygiene and self-care to lower their risk of getting the infection.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Photo Credit (inset, nose): Richard Usatine, MD

Photo Credit (inset, close-up): jax10289 / Getty Images

SOURCES:

American Cancer Society: "Skin Cancer: Basal and Squamous Cell."

National Cancer Institute: ''Treatment Options for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer.''

Medscape: "Basal Cell Carcinoma."

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: "Basal Cell Carcinoma."

Cancer Research UK: "How does UV cause skin cancer."

Harvard Health Letter: "Recognizing and treating basal cell carcinoma."

Skin Cancer Foundation: "Step by Step Self-Examination."

Skin Cancer Foundation – Photo Caption

American Academy of Dermatology  Association – Photo Caption

Skin Cancer Foundation – Photo Caption

American Academy of Dermatology Association – Photo Caption

What Is Aspiration Pneumonia?

Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection not caused by viruses or bacteria but when a person inhales food or liquids. Symptoms can include ones for general pneumonia, like fever or fatigue.

Some people may be at a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia than others, such as individuals who have swallowing issues or are older. Treatments for the condition will vary depending on its severity, and aspiration pneumonia can be prevented.

ArtistGNDphotography / Getty Images

The symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:

Chest pain

Confusion

Coughing up greenish or dark phlegm or phlegm that contains pus or blood

Excessive sweating

Fatigue

Fever

Problems with swallowing

Shortness of breath

Smelly breath

Wheezing

Aspiration pneumonia develops due to issues in the immune system when a person inhales substances that enter their airways or lungs. The substances may also lead to irritation and swelling and may become infected.

Those substances may be large portions of food, liquids, saliva, or vomit containing pneumonia-causing bacteria. The bacteria will be based on a person's:

Immune system status—namely, if it is weak

Personal health

Place of residence, like home or in a nursing facility

Recent hospitalization or antibiotic use

If the immune system fails to eliminate the bacteria, the bacteria can facilitate an aspiration pneumonia infection.

Risk Factors

These factors can raise your risk of aspiration pneumonia:

Being less alert due to medicines, illness, surgery, or other reasons

Being in a coma

Dental procedures

Drinking large amounts of alcohol

Gastrointestinal or respiratory devices and procedures

Impaired cognition

Old age

Poor gag reflex in people who are not alert after a stroke or brain injury

Problems with swallowing

Receiving general anesthesia for surgery

Vomiting

Diagnosis usually starts with a physical exam. A healthcare provider will listen to your chest with a stethoscope for crackling or unusual breathing sounds. They may also tap on your chest wall to hear and feel for abnormal sounds within the chest.

Other tests may include:

Bronchoscopy: A provider may use this test if you aspirate food, as it allows them to see your airways.

Chest X-ray: If a healthcare provider suspects you have pneumonia, they'll likely order a chest X-ray. The X-ray gives the provider a picture of your chest, including body parts like the diaphragm, lungs, and ribs.

When a healthcare provider treats someone with aspiration pneumonia, the goal is to provide breathing support. The support can include positioning a person more upright for better breathing. They may also be given oxygen to assist in the breathing process.

Another treatment is antibiotics. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent the condition from worsening.

Treatment also depends on how severe the aspiration pneumonia is and how sick a person is. For example, people must be hospitalized and sometimes put on a ventilator to help with breathing in more severe aspiration pneumonia cases.

There are different ways to prevent aspiration pneumonia, such as:

Avoiding the use of oral feeding or drug administration for individuals with decreased consciousness

Eating smaller meals if a person has swallowing difficulties

Elevating the head of a person's bed higher than 30 degrees

Refraining from the use of sedating drugs

Individuals with more severe cases of aspiration pneumonia are at a greater risk of developing complications, including:

Death

Lung abscess, a pus-filled cavity as the result of an infection

Respiratory failure, when the lungs have issues getting oxygen to the blood

Shock, when blood does not flow properly throughout the body

Spread of the infection to other areas of the body, including the bloodstream

It's possible to develop aspiration pneumonia more than once. Also, although aspiration pneumonia with the best treatment is fatal in 11% to 30% of cases, people can still recover.

Recovery can be long and is based on age or other co-existing conditions known as comorbidities. However, the earlier people seek treatment for aspiration pneumonia, the better their prognosis will be.

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