Definition – What is a delayed pneumonia?
If pneumonia is not treated properly, the disease does not heal completely and the result is a protracted pneumonia. This is a dangerous clinical picture, which can lead to serious complications and in the worst case can even be fatal. Often these risks are not known to the affected persons and the disease is underestimated. Normally, acute pneumonia is overcome after two to three weeks, and symptoms persist much longer if the pneumonia has spread.
Therapy of a delayed pneumonia
A delayed pneumonia is mostly caused by bacteria. Therefore, the therapy of first choice is the administration of suitable antibiotics. Usually the doctor prescribes the medication without identifying the exact pathogen, since a fast start of treatment is absolutely crucial.
These are so-called broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are effective against the conventional pathogens of pneumonia and are therefore very likely to be suitable for the current germ. If the course of the disease is severe or if the drugs do not respond properly, a hospital stay may be necessary. Even high-risk patients, such as those with concomitant diseases or people over 65 years of age, are admitted directly to hospital as inpatients and treated there, as the risk is increased here.
In such cases, the pathogen causing the pneumonia is diagnosed and a suitable antibiotic is administered via an infusion. Usually the administration of the medication takes five to seven days. In the case of a complication, such as myocarditis or brain abscess, the treatment is more complex and accordingly more time-consuming.
These are the symptoms I recognize as a delayed pneumonia
A delayed pneumonia becomes noticeable by symptoms that persist for several weeks. Those affected suffer from fever, persistent cough and yellow-greenish secretions when coughing, which are expelled from the bronchi. Pain in the chest and an accelerated pulse are also typical of pneumonia.
The symptoms are usually similar to a severe cold, which is why patients often act too late and consult a doctor. Especially in people with a weakened immune system or elderly people, a delayed pneumonia can quickly lead to serious complications. For example, the infection can spread to the neighboring heart and cause heart muscle inflammation there.
Heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis) is a life-threatening complication of delayed pneumonia. The pathogens spread throughout the body and attack the heart muscles, causing the heart to no longer pump efficiently. This results in cardiac dysrhythmia (“heart stumbling”) and chest pain.
The affected patients feel exhausted and tired. In addition, there are the symptoms of protracted pneumonia. Myocarditis must be treated quickly, as in the worst case it can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
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