Viral Pneumonia - Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a condition in which the lung tissues become inflamed due to an infection with a pathogen. The pathogen can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi.

What Is Viral Pneumonia?

As the name suggests, the virus is the causative organism in viral pneumonia. In most cases, these viruses are those responsible for the common cold and flu. Although they usually come back to normal in many individuals, they can also be fatal in some.

After entering the body, they invade the lungs, causing inflammation and swelling, thereby leading to blockage of oxygen supply from the lungs.

What Causes Viral Pneumonia?

One of the below viruses is responsible for causing viral pneumonia:

• Influenza virus.

• Adenovirus.

• Respiratory syncytial virus.

• Varicella-zoster virus.

• Cytomegalovirus.

• Parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4.

• Herpes simplex virus.

• Coronaviruses which cause SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome).

• Enterovirus.

• Rhinovirus.

• Measles virus.

• Epstein-Barr virus.

• Hantavirus.

Transmission of the virus occurs in several ways in the community and hospital settings. The most common virus spread methods are by sneezing, coughing, or touching the surfaces contaminated by the infected person.

What Increases the Risk of Developing Viral Pneumonia?

Since it is contagious and spreads via airborne droplets, viral pneumonia can occur in anyone. However, few people share an increased risk of contracting the disease and are grouped under the high-risk category. The following are the group of people who have a higher risk of getting viral pneumonia:

Weakened Immune System:

• Infants below the age of two years.

• Older adults above 65 years.

• Pregnant women.

• People who are under immunosuppressant medications after an organ transplant.

• People with HIV or AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

• People getting chemotherapy.

• Individuals with autoimmune disorders.

Other Factors:

• Individuals who work in hospitals.

• People with heart diseases.

• Individuals who have smoking habits.

• History of any recent viral infection.

• People who have asthma or any respiratory illness.

How Is Viral Pneumonia Manifested?

As a result of inflammation, oxygen flow and exchange of gas in the lungs are blocked. These are responsible for the manifestations of viral pneumonia. While viral pneumonia is treatable in many, it can rapidly progress into a severe and fatal condition, especially in those with a weakened immune system.

Viral pneumonia exhibits flu-like symptoms in the initial stages, and also the symptoms are more or less similar to bacterial pneumonia.

Following are the common symptoms of viral pneumonia:

• Fever.

• Tiredness.

• Chills.

• Cough with mucus. Mucus can be either yellow or green.

• Sweating.

• Bluish lips.

• Weakness.

• Skin shows a bluish tint in children.

• Loss of appetite.

• Reduced body temperature.

• Confusion.

• Dizziness.

How Can We Diagnose Viral Pneumonia?

Diagnosis of viral pneumonia involves a series of steps.

1.Personal History:

Initially, the patient is questioned for personal history of exposure like,

• Occupation.

• Recent history of travel.

• Contact with sick people with similar symptoms.

• Recent infection.

• Contact with animals.

2. Physical Examination:

Next, the patient is examined physically for the following signs:

• Increased heart rate.

• Crackling sound.

• Wheezing.

• Reduced airflow.

When an abnormality is detected in physical examination, depending on the severity, the following diagnostic tests may be taken:

3. Complete Blood Count:

It helps in diagnosis by indicating the presence of any inflammation.

4.Nasal Swab Test:

It is done to check for the presence of viruses.

5. Blood Culture:

It helps identify the pathogen causing the disease and confirm the presence of infection.

6. Sputum Test:

The infection source is checked by taking the sputum after a cough.

7. Pulse Oximeter:

As pneumonia affects the oxygen exchange, it reduces the oxygen in your blood, which can be detected using pulse oximeters.

8. Chest X-Ray:

It gives an image of the lungs to look for the presence of any infection.

9. Arterial Blood Gas Test:

Like pulse oximeters, it determines the oxygen present in the arterial blood, but it is more accurate.

10. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan:

Image of the lungs is obtained with a CT scan to diagnose the presence of any lung abscesses or any other complications associated.

11. Bronchoscopy:

Although not usually required for diagnosing viral pneumonia, it gives a direct view of the airways to look for any blockage. It is done in cases when the infection does not respond to the treatment.

How Is Viral Pneumonia Treated?

Viral pneumonia can be treated at home or in a hospital. Treatment at the hospital involves the following:

• Intake of antiviral drugs, in some cases.

• Administration of corticosteroids.

• Oral and intravenous rehydration.

• Oxygen support.

• Mechanical ventilation.

When Is Hospitalization Required in Viral Pneumonia?

Patients who share an increased risk or are prone to develop serious complications are hospitalized. When there is reduced food and fluid intake or reduced oxygen levels in the blood, hospitalization is recommended.

The following group of people might require hospitalization:

• Children below two years or old adults above 65 years.

• Individuals with cardiac and renal diseases.

• People with serious symptoms.

• Individuals who do not respond to antibiotics or any treatment at home.

• People who cannot take care of themselves at home.

How Can We Treat Viral Pneumonia Patients at Home?

If the treating doctor advises the patient to continue the treatment at home after analyzing the health condition and symptom severity, at-home treatment can be done. Do consult your doctor before taking any medicines. Strictly follow the advice of your doctor.

The following are the at-home treatment methods for viral pneumonia:

1. For fever, antipyretic drugs like Paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen or Naproxen may be given.

2. Avoid taking cough suppressant syrups. Coughing up helps remove the sputum accumulated.

3. Get plenty of rest.

4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids because intake of fluids can help eliminate the sputum by loosening the mucus.

Note: Do not give Aspirin to children as it can produce severe complications like Reye’s syndrome.

What Are the Complications of Viral Pneumonia?

• Secondary bacterial pneumonia that can cause lung abscess, pleural effusion, or emphysema.

• Sepsis.

• Multiorgan failure

• Cardiovascular failure.

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Acute respiratory failure.

• Death.

How Can We Prevent Viral Pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia can be prevented in the following ways:

1. Wear a mask at all times, especially when you have to come in contact with people having similar symptoms.

2. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water.

3. Do maintain social distancing.

4. Follow the respiratory etiquette guidelines by sneezing or coughing into your elbow or tissue. Dispose of the tissues safely. Do this to prevent yourself from spreading the disease.

5. When you have flu-like symptoms, distance yourself from the high-risk group.

6. Get your seasonal flu shot.

How Is Viral Pneumonia Different From Bacterial Pneumonia?

The symptoms which help in distinguishing viral pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia are:

• Muscle aches.

• Increased shortness of breath.

• Headache.

• Cough that worsens with time.

Also, in terms of treatment, there is a vast difference. Viral pneumonia does not usually require treatment except symptomatic care, while bacterial pneumonia requires antibiotic therapy.

In some cases, antibiotic therapy may be needed when secondary bacterial pneumonia occurs after viral pneumonia.

Conclusion:

Viral pneumonia does not always produce severe complications, and it can be treated by symptomatic care. Following proper respiratory hygiene can help prevent viral pneumonia. When you experience flu-like symptoms, reach out to your doctor at the earliest, and get it treated to avoid further complications.