PNEUMONIA, VIRAL

General Information

DEFINITION--An acute lung infection caused by a virus. The infection causes tissues of the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

• Lower respiratory tract (bronchial tubes, bronchioles and lungs).
• Upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, tonsils, sinuses, trachea and larynx).

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Fever and chills.
• Muscle aches and fatigue.
• Cough, with or without sputum or "croup."
• Rapid, labored (sometimes) breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Sore throat.
• Loss of appetite.
• Enlarged lymph glands in the neck.

CAUSES--Virus infections, including influenza, chickenpox and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (especially in adults), respiratory viruses, measles and cytomegalovirus (especially in infants).

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Newborns and infants.
• Adults over 60.
• Asthma.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Inhalation of a foreign body into the lung.
• Smoking.
• Crowded or unsanitary living conditions.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Annual flu vaccines recommended for high-risk people (heart or lung disease, other chronic diseases, medical personnel and over age 65).
• Measles vaccination for children.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood studies.
• X-rays of the chest.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.
• Hospitalization (rare).

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Secondary bacterial infections of the lungs.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Usually curable in a few days to a week. Post-viral fatigue is common.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Use a cool-mist, ultrasonic humidifier to increase air moisture. Putting medicine in the vaporizer probably will not help. Clean humidifier daily.
• Use a heating pad or warm compresses on the chest to relieve chest pain.
• Coughing and deep breathing is encouraged to help clear secretions. Dispose of secretions carefully.

MEDICATION--

• Your doctor may prescribe: Antiviral medication such as amantadine or rimantadine. Acyclovir for herpes or varicella (chickenpox) infection Aerosolized ribavirinor for RSV infection. Antibiotics to fight secondary bacterial infections.
• For minor pain and fever, you may use non-prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen or decongestant nose drops, nasal sprays or tablets.

ACTIVITY--Bed rest is necessary until fever, pain and shortness of breath have been gone at least 48 hours. Then normal activity may be resumed slowly. Many people are fatigued and weak for up to 6 weeks after recovery, so don't expect a quick return to normal strength.

DIET--No special diet, but do everything possible to maintain a normal intake of nutritious foods and drinks. Drink at least 1 full glass of fluid each hour. This helps thin lung secretions so they are easier to cough up.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of pneumonia.
• The following occurs during treatment: Temperature spikes over 102F (38.9C). Intolerable pain, despite medication and heat treatment. Increasing shortness of breath. Increasing blueness of nails and skin. Blood in the sputum. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.