Pneumonia

Pneumonia: Prevention

Vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcus (PCV-13 vaccination) are important and effective preventive measures. Furthermore, to prevent pneumonia (pneumonia), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Malnutrition, undernutrition. Increased intake and increased serum levels of copper, cadmium, lead. See prevention with micronutrients Consumption of stimulants Alcohol Tobacco (smoking) Bedriddenness Aspiration … Pneumonia: Prevention

Pneumonia: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate pneumonia (pneumonia): Dyspnea (shortness of breath) is the leading symptom, along with cough, and is reported by 68% of patients <65 years of age (80% of ≥ 65-year-old patients). Other classic symptoms include pleural pain due to concomitant pleurisy (pleurisy) and fever. These symptoms are rarely reported by … Pneumonia: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Pneumonia: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Pneumonia usually results from descending (ascending) infections, but it can also result from aspiration (entry of foreign bodies or fluid into the respiratory tract) and hematogenous (“caused by the blood“) dissemination. In this case, the pathogens usually have several virulence factors (characteristic of a microorganism that determines its pathogenic effect) that … Pneumonia: Causes

Pneumonia: Therapy

General measures Physical rest Humidification Observance of the general hygiene measures! In the occurrence of fever: Bed rest and physical rest (even if the fever is only slight; if there is pain in the limbs and fatigue without fever, bed rest and physical rest is also required, because there could be endocarditis (pericarditis) or pericarditis … Pneumonia: Therapy

Pneumonia: Medical History

The medical history represents an important component in the diagnosis of pneumonia. Family history What is the current health status of your family members? Is there a history of lung disease in your family? Social history When and where were you last on vacation? Long-distance travel France, Spain Greece Central America, USA Midwest When was … Pneumonia: Medical History

Pneumonia: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by pneumonia (pneumonia): Respiratory system (J00-J99) Acute respiratory failure (“virus-induced respiratory failure”); lethality (mortality related to the total number of people suffering from the disease) up to 50%. Lung abscess (accumulation of pus in the lungs) – sputum (sputum) stink putrid … Pneumonia: Complications

Pneumonia: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, body temperature, body weight, body height, and assessment of level of consciousness; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes [profuse sweating; central cyanosis (possible/blue-red coloration of skin and central mucous membranes/tongue due to … Pneumonia: Examination

Pneumonia: Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests. Blood count – frequently leukocytosis (proliferation of white blood cells) with leftward shift, i.e., shift in granulocytes in favor of younger precursors (e.g., rod-nucleated granulocytes; possibly toxic granulations) ESR (blood sedimentation rate) ↑↑↑ or CRP (C-reactive protein) ↑↑↑ [CRP threshold: 30 mg/l; mean: 97] or … Pneumonia: Test and Diagnosis

Pneumonia: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of complications Patients with pneumonia should be treated according to their assignment to one of the three forms: Community-acquired pneumonia (AEP;community-acquired pneumonia, CAP): outside the hospital, patient immunocompetent. Nosocomial-acquired pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia, HAP): in hospital (> 48 h after hospital admission or in the first 3 months after … Pneumonia: Drug Therapy

Pneumonia: Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis. X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest), in two planes – especially in cases of differential diagnostic ambiguity, severe disease or concomitant diseases (risk factors) [evidence of a pulmonary infiltrate; the … Pneumonia: Diagnostic Tests

Pneumonia: Micronutrient Therapy

Pneumonia may indicate a deficiency of the following vital nutrients (micronutrients). Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency can cause changes in the mucosa of the respiratory tract. This involves a reduction in the ability to clean the respiratory tract, which causes an increase in susceptibility to infection and can promote pneumonia. In the context of micronutrient … Pneumonia: Micronutrient Therapy

Pneumonia: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Respiratory System (J00-J99) ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome) – adult acute respiratory failure. Barotrauma – disorder caused by sudden increase or decrease in air pressure. BOOP (Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia) – inflammation of the bronchi with narrowing of the lumen due to deposits and wall changes with transition to pneumonia. Exogenous allergic alveolitis (EAA) … Pneumonia: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis