Course of disease | Infarct Pneumonia

Course of disease

Infarct pneumonia often manifests itself through rather discreet symptoms and general fatigue. If no therapy is administered, the patient’s condition deteriorates and permanent damage to the lungs or even sepsis, i.e. a leaching of the bacteria into the bloodstream with organ failure, is possible. After starting antibiotic therapy, the patient’s condition improves within one week. However, in the case of severe pneumonia, the therapy must usually be carried out for 14 days and in any case for at least another 3 days after defibrillation. Exhaustion can also persist for a little longer.

Duration/Prediction

The prognosis of an infarct pneumonia depends largely on the patient’s condition and previous illnesses, as well as his age. The prognosis worsens with increasing age. Hospital-acquired infarct pneumonia has a mortality rate of up to over 20%.

Older people in particular are at high risk of developing this so-called nosocomially acquired infarct pneumonia. Therefore, treatment must not be delayed under any circumstances. Younger patients who have contracted pneumonia outside the hospital, on the other hand, have a good prognosis if treatment is consistently administered.

How contagious is infarct pneumonia?

An infarct pneumonia develops due to a previous damage to the lung, which usually occurs in the context of a pulmonary embolism. This pre-damage favors the pneumonia. The pathogens are transmitted via a droplet infection.

This means that those affected cough up the pathogens or spread them by sneezing in the air they breathe. In the event of contact, the pathogens can also be inhaled. Nevertheless, people with an intact immune system are not particularly at risk of becoming infected by an affected person.

However, older people and small children in particular should avoid contact with those affected until antibiotic therapy has been given for a sufficient period of time. In case of contact, it is recommended to wear a mouth guard and gloves to keep the risk of infection as low as possible. Unfortunately, the duration of the risk of infection cannot be given in general terms, so that the treating physician of the person concerned should always be consulted.