Introduction
Early diagnosis is important in the case of pneumonia in order to quickly initiate appropriate treatment. Before treatment, the doctor wants to determine which pathogen probably caused the infection so that he can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic. When making the diagnosis, the physician also wants to assess the severity of the disease in order to further decide whether treatment can be given on an outpatient basis or whether the patient needs to be referred to hospital.
How to diagnose pneumonia
In order to diagnose pneumonia, the doctor asks the patient specific questions about his symptoms and medical history. This enables him to determine which complaints have existed where and for how long and whether the patient has other previous illnesses or allergies. This is followed by a physical examination in which the lungs are listened to with a stethoscope (med.
Auskulatation) and the chest is palpated with the fingers (med. Percussion). This enables the doctor to detect, among other things, rales and reduced breathing sounds, which are groundbreaking for the diagnosis of pneumonia.
Blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and the patient’s general condition are also recorded during the examination. This is followed by a blood sample, where inflammation parameters and changes in blood values are examined. If the findings of previous examinations indicate pneumonia, an x-ray of the thorax must always be taken to confirm the diagnosis.
In special cases, further imaging, for example by computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be necessary. In the case of atypically developing pneumonia not caused by conventional pathogens, the pathogen can be detected by sputum diagnostics. This involves bronchoscopy, in which the physician inserts a flexible tube into the airways via the mouth. In this way, mucus can be obtained directly from the lungs and examined microbiologically.
You can see this on an X-ray image
Pneumonia can be diagnosed with great certainty on the basis of an X-ray image. An overview of the chest is made, once from the front and once from the side. Doctors refer to these images as “chest X-rays in two planes”.
The radiologist uses the X-ray image to detect shadows and signs of fluid accumulation caused by the inflammatory processes within the lung tissue. Furthermore, the location and extent of the pneumonia can be identified. Furthermore, other diseases can be excluded as the cause of the complaints.
However, an x-ray cannot provide reliable proof of the pathogen. When pneumonia is spread, scarring is also noticeable. In such a case, action should be taken at the latest and treatment with antiobiotics should be administered.
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