Pneumonia: symptoms, causes and treatment of the disease in Dubai

Pneumonia — acute infectious and inflammatory lung disease caused by bacteria, viruses or fungal spores. It can be an independent pathology or a complication of other diseases, such as influenza and other respiratory tract infections or immunodeficiency.

The disease significantly reduces the quality of life and can lead to complications in the absence of timely therapy. He will tell you about the course of the disease, whether the disease is widespread in Dubai and how to treat it. Dmitry Shilov, an allergist and immunologist at the Kandinsky Clinic.

In light of the recent events of the COVID-19 pandemic, pneumonia has become a socially significant disease all over the planet. It is important to understand the difference between bacterial pneumonia and pneumonia caused by the new COVID-19 virus.

Lung damage caused by the COVID-19 virus can be severe, with bilateral lung damage and rapid development of respiratory failure. Lung damage and its degree are assessed using computed tomography.

Treatment of such pneumonia is carried out in strict compliance with clinical recommendations.

About pneumonia

Pneumonia occurs from 1.5 to 14 cases per 1,000 people per year everywhere, depending on the season, geographical conditions, and populations in different age groups. The inflammatory process involves the alveoli and interstitium of the lungs, that is, the parenchyma (the main organ tissue surrounded by connective tissue – the stroma. Vessels and nerves pass through the stroma)

The inflammatory process increases the permeability of the capillaries, which leads to the release of inflammatory fluid into the cavity of the alveoli with their densification, which is manifested by characteristic clinical and radiological patterns.

Pneumonia It is most dangerous for children under one year of age and the elderly. as it often leads to complications and can be fatal in 10% of cases.

The situation with pneumonia in the UAE

According to UAE health experts, more than 50% of patients who go to hospitals suffer from bronchitis, and one in ten is diagnosed with pneumonia.

Why is the number of cases increasing? Experts attribute this to sudden weather changes and unfavorable climatic conditions.

Fluctuations in air temperature and humidity lead to frequent respiratory diseases and exacerbations of chronic bronchopulmonary diseases in people suffering from bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symptoms of pneumonia

The symptoms of pneumonia depend on the type of its causative agent and the severity. Pneumonia due to bacterial infection is developing rapidly.

• The patient's temperature rises sharply, a wet cough and shortness of breath appear.

Symptoms of pneumonia: fever, chest pain when inhaling deeply, difficulty breathing/ shortness of breath, sweating, cough with phlegm, severe weakness and fatigue, headache, lack of appetite.

• If pneumonia is not diagnosed in time, it can progress and lead to serious lung damage, as well as cause complications.

In severe and complicated cases of pneumonia systemic inflammation may occur, in the form of sepsis and multiple organ failure. Complications such as the development of a lung abscess are also possible due to suppuration of lung tissue or pleurisy, that is, the transfer of inflammation from lung tissue to their lining, which may require surgical intervention.

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Group A streptococcus and other streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Enterobacteriaceae, Legionella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci.

• It most often occurs after hypothermia or against the background of a viral infection, as a complication.;

• Infection occurs by airborne droplets. In rare cases, the pathogen enters the lungs with the flow of blood or lymph.;

• The development of pneumonia is influenced by the state of immunity, the presence of chronic diseases, age, and bad habits.;

WithThere are also risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing pneumonia.: frequent acute respiratory viral infections, bad habits, constant stress and fatigue, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, living in areas with polluted air.

Diagnosis of pneumonia

It is important for a patient with suspected pneumonia to see a specialist as soon as possible.

First, the therapist or pulmonologist talks with the patient, studies his life and illness history, examines, listens to the lungs with a stethoscope. This allows you to detect signs of pneumonia and recommend additional examinations.

An important stage of diagnosis — the establishment of pneumonia by X-ray method and, if possible, the determination of the type of pathogen.

Treatment of pneumonia

In the treatment of acute pneumonia, the specialists of the Kandinsky clinic apply an individual approach, guided by international recommendations.

The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's response to the prescribed treatment.

The basis is made up of antibiotics. The specialist takes into account the patient's age, the severity of pneumonia, and concomitant diseases, based on which the scheme of antibacterial therapy is selected.

At the beginning of therapy, broad—spectrum drugs are prescribed, taking into account the possible pathogen, and if the pathogen is confirmed by the laboratory, therapy can be corrected by replacing the drug with the appropriate one.

The patient may also be prescribed antipyretics, expectorants, inhalations, and with severe inflammation, possibly glucocorticosteroids.

Prevention of pneumonia

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. The vaccine is well tolerated and provides reliable protection against infection.

There are also non-specific preventive measures: leading a healthy lifestyle, strengthening immunity, regular wet cleaning and ventilation, taking precautions, such as maintaining distance and hygiene, wearing masks in crowded places, and of course, timely treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and other infections.

It is especially important for patients at risk to monitor their health.: elderly people and those with chronic diseases.

The Kandinsky Clinic provides services routine and emergency vaccinations for adults and children. Our experienced specialists — internists, family doctors and pediatricians — will create an individual vaccination schedule for you, taking into account all your needs and wishes.

In addition, we offer vaccination before traveling to other countries and provide advice on immunology.

Our experts will share with you all the necessary information about the risks and features of various vaccines so that you can make an informed choice and protect your health.