It is a viral or bacterial infection occurring frequently during infancy and early childhood. It may be a primary disease or be the result of another illness. It is manifested by inflammation and consolidation of pulmonary parenchyma. It is classified by the causative agent with the viral being more common (most often respiratory syncytial virus). The bacterial form is caused most often by pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, or Chlamydia.
Pneumococcal is most often spread by respiratory droplet in winter and early spring; Chlamydia is severe, diffuse and often difficult to treat; staphylococcal lobular, less common, is spread via the lymphatic system.
The symptoms most common in viral pneumonia are: acute or insidious onset, slight or severe cough, slow to high grade fever, malaise to lethargy.
Bacterial symptoms are: abrupt onsets, lethargy, proceeded by viral infection, respiratory distress, shocky appearance, decreased breath sound, coarse crackles, fiction rub, use of accessory muscles, nasal discharge, etc.
Diagnostic tests:
Viral: CXR reveals diffuse infiltrates.
Bacterial: CXR shows patchy consolidation of one or more lobes, pneumatoceles (staph) or pleural effusions (strep).
Generally treated with medications (antibiotics, antipyretics, I / V fluids), the patients airway is maintained, fever is reduced, oxygen therapy given, and pulmonary hygiene is maintained (CPT, updrafts).
Pneumococcal is most often spread by respiratory droplet in winter and early spring; Chlamydia is severe, diffuse and often difficult to treat; staphylococcal lobular, less common, is spread via the lymphatic system.
The symptoms most common in viral pneumonia are: acute or insidious onset, slight or severe cough, slow to high grade fever, malaise to lethargy.
Bacterial symptoms are: abrupt onsets, lethargy, proceeded by viral infection, respiratory distress, shocky appearance, decreased breath sound, coarse crackles, fiction rub, use of accessory muscles, nasal discharge, etc.
Diagnostic tests:
Viral: CXR reveals diffuse infiltrates.
Bacterial: CXR shows patchy consolidation of one or more lobes, pneumatoceles (staph) or pleural effusions (strep).
Generally treated with medications (antibiotics, antipyretics, I / V fluids), the patients airway is maintained, fever is reduced, oxygen therapy given, and pulmonary hygiene is maintained (CPT, updrafts).
