By which symptoms do I recognize an infarct pneumonia? | Infarct Pneumonia

By which symptoms do I recognize an infarct pneumonia?

An infarct pneumonia typically leads to an increase in fever and general fatigue. Coughing and purulent sputum may also be present. The sputum then often has a yellowish or green color, but it can also be completely absent.

In addition, an increased respiratory frequency and shortness of breath may indicate an infarct pneumonia. An increase in the heart rate, i.e. tachycardia, is also typical and can manifest itself as restlessness and nervousness. Headache and aching limbs are also typical symptoms of infarct pneumonia.

Pain during breathing can also be one of the symptoms of an infarct pneumonia as a result of an accompanying inflammation of the lung membrane, a so-called accompanying pleuritis. However, the symptoms often occur in an attenuated form, so that one also speaks of a subclinical course. Often, only an increase in fever after pulmonary embolism is an indication of the presence of an infarct pneumonia.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of infarct pneumonia is made on the basis of clinical symptoms and imaging techniques. Initially, the diagnosis is usually a pulmonary embolism, which can be detected by means of a so-called CT angiography. This is a CT examination of the pulmonary vessels using a contrast medium.

Symptoms such as shortness of breath, a feeling of tightness in the chest and an increase in heart rate are also indications of a pulmonary embolism. If there is an increase in fever and general fatigue after a pulmonary embolism, there is a suspicion of an infarct pneumonia, so that the diagnosis can then be made with the help of an X-ray of the lungs.The X-ray image shows typical changes that indicate an infarct pneumonia (see section X-ray). With the help of a blood test, elevated infection parameters can often be determined in the case of infarct pneumonia.

These include an elevated CRP and PCT value as well as elevated leukocytes. These values are particularly indicative of a bacterial infection. If an infarct pneumonia is suspected, an X-ray image of the chest is taken.

Typically, changes in the lung tissue, also known as Hampton’s hump, are visible. This is a wedge-shaped reduction in the transparency of the lung, which lies on the outside of the lung tissue. This reduction in transparency appears white in the X-ray image. It is also known as a wedge-shaped or triangular infiltrate of the lung periphery.