Symptoms and principles of treatment of bronchogenic pneumonia. Bronchial pneumonia: etiopathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment tactics

The term bronchopneumonia or focal pneumonia means inflammation of the lung parenchyma with simultaneous involvement of the bronchi and bronchioles in the pathological process.

• one-sided or two-sided;
• left sided or right sided.

The reasons

It should be noted that bronchopneumonia can occur due to exposure to microorganisms of various classes (bacteria, viruses and fungi).

The most common causative agents of this pathological condition are several, but the main ones are still considered pneumococci, streptococci and staphylococci.

Pathogenesis

The development of this pathological condition occurs due to the initial inflammation of the bronchial mucosa with a gradual transition to the lung parenchyma, and this process can last several hours or several days.

Due to inflammation in the bronchi and bronchioles, swelling of the mucous membrane occurs with the formation of an excessive amount of fluid (secret), the latter, according to the law of gravity, only descends downward, thereby causing blockage of the lumen.

As a result of this process, patients develop a cough, since the latter is a reflex aimed at separating this secret outward. As a result of the above processes, perifocal inflammation of the lung tissue occurs.

Clinic

Most often, the symptoms of bronchopneumonia in adults develop against the background of acute respiratory infections or acute bronchitis. The first symptom will be a sharp rise in temperature to 39 degrees and the occurrence of severe pain during coughing. The latter becomes obsessive and occurs even at rest. Often, pain in the chest disturbs during sleep, that is, a long lying in one position.

It must be understood that the inflammatory process in the lungs leads to shortness of breath, hard breathing and wheezing in all departments. A characteristic symptom for bronchopneumonia will be the appearance of crepitus, which is explained by the accumulation of exudate in the alveoli. Patients suffering from focal pneumonia are asthenic due to exhaustion of the body and excessive activity of microorganisms.

Complications of bronchopneumonia

Among the many complications of bronchopneumonia are the following:

1. Pleurisy;
2. respiratory failure;
3. Sepsis;
4. Fibrosis;
5. Pulmonary edema.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of bronchopneumonia consists in the use of clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods of examination. Among the laboratory diagnostic methods, the most important are the general analysis and biochemistry of blood, as well as its bacterial culture.

In the general blood test, there is a significant shift of the leukocyte group of cells to the left, which is a direct indicator of the systemic inflammatory response of the body, as well as an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate associated with the synthesis of a large amount of histamine, an inflammatory activator.

Biochemical blood tests for bronchopneumonia show an increased level of urea, which is the end product of protein breakdown, as well as a slight upward jump in creatinine. With an intense acute inflammatory process in the lungs, especially on the right, reactive inflammation of the liver may occur. The latter is manifested by an increase in transaminases (ALT, AST).

It should be noted that for adequate blood sampling for bacterial culture, the latter should be performed at the height of fever, since only during this period is the greatest activity of microorganisms - causative agents of bronchopneumonia.

The X-ray method of studying this pathological condition is one of the most important and affordable. The photographs show the darkening of areas of the inflamed lung, sometimes small atelectases (areas of the parenchyma without air) are visualized, which occur due to blockage of the bronchioles with mucus or exudate.

An additional radiation method for studying bronchopneumonia is MSCT, which allows you to identify all areas of collapse and inflammation of the lung. This method is one of the most accurate.

In the event of severe bronchopneumonia, a diagnostic and treatment procedure has recently been used - video bronchoscopy. This method allows not only to identify areas of blockage of bronchioles that cause atelectasis, but also to carry out sanitation at the same time, pumping out mucus or exudate.

Treatment

Timely treatment of bronchopneumonia in adults is considered an important task aimed at reducing the inflammatory process and preventing or treating complications that have arisen. For these purposes, antibiotic therapy, stimulation of the body's defenses, bronchoalveolar lavage and a decrease in intoxication are used.

Antibiotic therapy is the most important step in the treatment of this pathological process. For these purposes, a combination of drugs is used, namely broad-spectrum drugs (Ceftriaxone, Cefazolin, Levofloxacin, Norfloxacin) and antibiotics aimed at eliminating a specific pathogen found during a bacterial study.

The effectiveness of treatment with antibacterial drugs is determined by the following indicators:

• Improvement of the general condition;
• Decrease in body temperature to normal levels;
• Reducing the effects of intoxication.

Antibiotic therapy should be carried out for at least 5 days, and sometimes more, since microbes may adapt to these drugs.

Stimulation of the body's defenses and an increase in the body's reactivity is achieved through the use of vitamins of various groups, physiotherapy, and regulation of position in bed during sleep. Bronchoscopy is required with the use of drugs from the bronchodilator group (Eufillin, Ephedrine). Intoxication is reduced by intravenous infusion of saline solutions and plenty of fluids. The amount of fluid needed is determined based on the weight of the patient.

Forecast

With proper and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable, otherwise a patient with acute bronchopneumonia is threatened with the development of complications that threaten his life (pulmonary edema, acute respiratory failure, etc.).

Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia. This disease differs from ordinary pneumonia in that the bacteria and viruses that enter the body affect not only the lungs, but also the branches of the bronchial tree. Inflammation often develops as a result of infection of the upper respiratory tract. In most cases, bronchial pneumonia is caused by streptococcus and pneumococcus.

Risk group

1. The disease affects people of all ages, but most often it occurs in newborns, toddlers under three years of age and pensioners over 65 years of age. In these cases, the disease is more severe. Among children at risk are babies with idiopathic diseases of the respiratory system and those who have immunodeficiency.
2. People who have had other lung ailments are more susceptible to bronchial pneumonia. In addition, people suffering from heart disease or are at risk.
3. Smokers are hospitalized with a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia more often than people who do not have this bad habit.

Kinds

There are several types of this disease:

• unilateral bronchopneumonia. In most clinical cases, the disease occurs exclusively on one side. By the way, right-sided bronchopneumonia is more common than pneumonia on the left. This is because the main right bronchus is built obliquely from top to bottom, and because of this, bacteria easily penetrate into the lower sections of the lung and accumulate in one place. Symptoms and pathogenesis of both left-sided and right-sided bronchopneumonia are the same;
• bilateral bronchopneumonia. Experts call this type of illness lobar bronchial pneumonia, and all because the changes during infiltration of the lungs look like grains of oatmeal. The initial stage of the disease is characterized by damage to the alveolar acini (because of this, small hemorrhages appear). Then the areas with damaged tissues become inflamed. If you consult a doctor in time and start the correct treatment, you can get rid of the disease. A lethal outcome is likely only with improper therapy. In addition, the disease can end in death if the patient's immunity is severely reduced. This kind of disease is most often observed in children;
• catarrhal bronchopneumonia. This type of disease occurs in animals. For a person, catarrhal bronchopneumonia is not contagious. With this type of disease, inflammation begins with the bronchi, and then passes to the lung parenchyma. Symptoms of catarrhal bronchopneumonia: cough, fever, increased heart rate. Sometimes the disease turns into purulent pneumonia. If measures are taken in time, then catarrhal bronchopneumonia can be eliminated.

Symptoms

When the first signs of bronchopneumonia appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. The slightest delay or passion for self-treatment is fraught with sad consequences.

1. Increase in body temperature. In the first days, the body temperature rises to 37-39 degrees. Such a reaction of the body indicates that the patient is fighting the disease, so it is not worth bringing down the temperature to 38 degrees. Especially without prior consultation with a specialist.
2. General weakness. The person begins to complain about feeling unwell. There is weakness, sweating, chills, discomfort in the calf muscles. In addition, his appetite decreases (or even a complete refusal to eat) and sleep is disturbed.
3. Cough. If the inflammation has begun recently, then the cough is dry. With the progression of the disease, the cough becomes wet. As a rule, sputum is yellow-green in color. With a severe form of the disease, blood streaks are found in the sputum.
4. Dyspnea. This symptom of the disease is typical only for adult patients. In some cases, shortness of breath is observed not only when walking or climbing uphill, but also in a calm state.
5. Discomfort in the chest. When the patient coughs or tries to take a deep breath, he experiences chest pain. As a rule, only the side of the inflamed lung hurts (only if we are not talking about bilateral pneumonia). The pain is stabbing or pulling.
6. Pulse increase. The patient's pulse increases to 110 beats per minute.

If bronchial pneumonia is observed in a child, then the symptoms are slightly different:

• often the inflammatory process is lightning-fast. This is because a child's airways are small and do not have protective immune barriers. Because of this, the disease is difficult and often leads to sad consequences;
• Fever and cough may be mild or absent altogether. As a rule, the absence of these most characteristic signs of any respiratory disease delays the start of therapy. Parents should pay attention to the child's breathing. As a rule, the baby begins to breathe loudly and complain of shortness of breath;
• prolonged illnesses. If the child has been sick for too long either, then there is a risk that the disease has already passed into bronchopneumonia. In this case, it is worth changing the tactics of treatment.

Complications

If competent therapy is not started in time, the disease can cause complications. They are often seen in children.

1. Purulent otitis. In this case, the person begins to complain of discomfort in the ear and general weakness. In addition, purulent discharge comes out of the ear. If the pus does not find an outlet, then it can penetrate the skull and cause a brain abscess or meningitis.
2. . This is an inflammation of the pleural sheets. The person experiences discomfort when coughing and breathing. In addition, he complains of heaviness in the chest.
3. Nephritis. This is inflammation of the kidneys. Symptoms of the disease differ depending on the type of morphological changes. External manifestations of the disease are pallor, fever, discomfort in the lumbar region.
4. Myocardial dystrophy. This is an incorrect metabolism in the pectoral muscles. The person begins to complain of pain in the heart and shortness of breath. In addition, the patient has a heart murmur and irregular heart rhythm. This complication of bronchial pneumonia in adults appears due to improper treatment and the start of physical training before the end of therapy.
5. . This is an inflammatory process in the pericardial sac. The patient experiences pain in the heart and a feeling of tightness in the chest. In addition, discomfort manifests itself with greater force when a person tries to change position. In a severe form of the disease, the patient's face swells, and the veins of the neck increase. In addition, pallor of the skin is noted.

Diagnostics

At the reception, the specialist will listen to the patient's complaints and conduct an examination. As a rule, the doctor performs the following actions:

• measures the patient's body temperature;
• knocks out the lungs. With the fingers of the hands, the doctor taps the area above the surface of the lungs. If a person suffers from this ailment, then the sound is shortened;
• listening to the lungs. This diagnostic method is used for suspected any respiratory diseases. Using a stethoscope, the specialist listens to the affected area. Various wheezing and noises may indicate the presence of an ailment. Remember that now this method of diagnosis is not used by all doctors because it has been proven to be of little effectiveness in determining bronchopneumonia in children and adults.

Even if the doctor is absolutely sure that the patient has bronchial pneumonia, he should send him for a chest x-ray and perform several standard laboratory tests. Sometimes, to establish a diagnosis, a specialist needs the results of computed tomography, sputum examination, as well as an analysis to determine the causative agent of the disease.

Treatment

Getting rid of this disease involves complex treatment:

• compliance with the regime. At the very beginning of the development of the disease, it is recommended to observe bed rest. In addition, you need to regularly clean and ventilate the room in which the patient is located. As soon as the body temperature is restored, the person can go outside. Even if a person follows a healthy lifestyle, he is forbidden to resume hardening earlier than the second week after the end of treatment. Also, you can not resume playing sports until two months have passed since the end of therapy;
• dietary adjustment. Treatment of bronchopneumonia does not prohibit the use of any products. Of course, the diet must be balanced, and food with a high content of vitamins and proteins must prevail in it. It is best to eat in small portions, but often. In addition, experts advise drinking a lot (warm mineral water, fruit drink, herbal tea);
• physiotherapy. This treatment should be started only after the body temperature returns to normal. Then the patient is prescribed chest massage, inhalation with means that facilitate breathing and promote sputum discharge;
• medical treatment. No treatment plan for this disease is complete without the use of antibiotics. These funds are prescribed to the patient in the form of tablets or injected into the patient's body. Intravenous or intramuscular injection is used. Depending on the severity of the disease and the individual characteristics of the person, the type of antibiotic is selected. In addition, doctors prescribe antipyretic, expectorant, anti-allergic drugs.

Bronchopneumonia in children is more severe than in adults, so its treatment has certain features.

• therapy is carried out only in a hospital. The child will not be allowed to go home until the disease is completely gone. In especially severe cases, a small patient is transferred to the intensive care unit;
• the dose of pharmacological agents directly depends on the weight of the child;
• if the disease is caused by viruses, then specialists prescribe antiviral drugs;
• doctors maintain the water balance of the child's body. Babies are at high risk for dehydration. Because of this, treatment is not limited to just drinking plenty of fluids. The child is often injected with the missing fluid through a dropper;
• to prevent shortness of breath or get rid of it, the child is given inhalations with oxygen.

If you follow the doctor's prescriptions, then bronchopneumonia in children and adults proceeds without a trace. After the end of therapy, the patient is again sent for x-rays in order to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. All symptoms of the disease completely disappear within one month.

ethnoscience

All folk remedies should be used only after consulting a doctor. The thing is that some methods may not be suitable for a person due to the severity of the symptoms, the characteristics of the organism, or the stage of the disease.

• honey and birch buds. These ingredients are mixed and boiled over medium heat. The finished mass must be filtered, cooled and given to the patient one teaspoon a day about thirty minutes before bedtime. Before use, honey and birch buds should be diluted with a glass of warm water. The tool helps to eliminate the symptoms of the disease;
• plantain. Wash and dry the leaves of this plant. After that, lay them out on the bed and on the chest of the patient. Then wrap the person with a woolen scarf;
• tar. Pour tar and boiled water into a three-liter jar. After that, let the mixture brew for nine days. Give the remedy to the patient every day before bedtime.

Prevention

• hygiene;
• to give up smoking. Getting rid of this bad habit will not only reduce the likelihood of an illness, but also improve the condition of the whole organism;
• refusal to contact with carriers of the virus. It is necessary to try not to spend much time with sick people;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If a person adheres to a healthy diet, plays sports and systematically rests, then his body will get stronger and become immune to many viruses.

The causative agent of bronchopneumonia is less often a specific influenza virus, more often a mixed infection, pneumococcus (not the first groups, that is, a common inhabitant of the mouth), hemolytic streptococcus (severe pneumonia with suppuration), staphylococcus aureus, influenza bacillus. The latter, when administered to monkeys, causes tracheobronchitis, hemorrhagic pulmonary edema, bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, and in humans, inflammation of the respiratory tract and lungs of various strengths, from catarrhal to necrotizing bronchitis. Up to 5-10% of all cases of pandemic influenza are complicated by pneumonia, probably as a result of a decrease in the body's immune forces.

Anatomically the lungs on the cut are variegated - from red-gray protruding areas of compaction;, along with normal, air-containing tissue, bluish areas of collapsed alveoli with blockage of the afferent bronchus and emphysematous parts. Foci of compaction are polygonal, with a dark red center, hyperemic, with a grayish-whitish dot in the center, from which a drop of yellow mucopurulent exudate is squeezed out (bronchiolitis); the foci are isolated or located in groups, sometimes in the form of a false lobe "confluent bronchopneumonia".

A pronounced inflammation of the interstitial peri-bronchial and interlobular connective tissue is also found. The walls of the bronchi are swollen, filled with blood, with mucopurulent exudate, naked in places (devoid of epithelium), with abnormal expansion of the bronchi. Anatomically, in severe cases, there is hemorrhagic ulcerative tracheobronchitis and "variegated pneumonia".

Causes of bronchopneumonia

Pathogenesis Influenza bronchopneumonia has not been sufficiently studied in its main parts, especially with regard to the undoubted and significant involvement of the nervous system. The origin of such leading symptoms of the disease as shortness of breath, cyanosis, cardiovascular collapse, pulmonary edema, is closely related to dysregulation of a largely reflex nature, since foci of inflammation are a source of pathological impulses. Separate secondary mechanisms of the development of the disease have been more studied - toxic effects on the central nervous system and vascular wall, violations of the broncho-pulmonary barrier with the transition of the influenza virus and secondary infection to the interstitial peribronchial and interlobular connective tissue. Bacteremia is rare, even in fatal cases. Toxic vascular damage is accompanied by protein sweating, inflammatory pulmonary edema; increased secretion of bronchial mucus, which reduces the concentration of the toxin; spasm of the bronchi and bronchioles occurs as a result of irritation, which, along with the separation of mucus, contributes to the development of atelectasis.

Clinically influenza bronchopneumonia is characterized by the absence of a change in certain periods of the disease, it proceeds non-cyclically.

The onset is against the background of a flu-like lesion of the upper respiratory tract (or seasonal catarrh) with a further rise in fever, the appearance of shortness of breath, cough, and a deterioration in general well-being. Fever laxative or abnormal. Frequent nosebleeds; herpes rash is rare. The number of breaths is increased to 25-30 per minute, when inhaling, the wings of the nose expand; pulse often lags behind temperature.

When examining the chest, muffled foci are found, more often bilateral, in the lower fields of the lungs with increased bronchophony and sonorous subcrepitating and small bubbling rales, in addition to diffuse bronchitis (common dry rales). Clear bronchial breathing is usually not determined, broncho-vesicular breathing takes place. The foci can be deeply located and, despite the serious condition of the patient, are not detected clinically.

Sputum is not very characteristic, scanty, mucopurulent, as in bronchitis, or more viscous and bloody. General phenomena range from weakness, weakness to sharp headaches, vascular collapse. Cyanosis is observed with extensive confluent bronchopneumonia. On the part of the blood - leukopenia, acceleration of ROE of varying degrees. An x-ray examination reveals various changes, more often large-focus, cloud-like infiltrates, basal, false lobe, and also small-spotted rashes that differ little! from the picture of hematogenous tuberculosis dissemination.

Course, forms and complications of bronchopneumonia

Along the course, one can distinguish between the usual and toxic forms.

The usual form of bronchopneumonia develops from the very beginning or on the 2nd-4th day of influenza infection, or only on the 4th-10th day, already in the period of apparent recovery. Subjective symptoms differ from ordinary bronchitis only in greater shortness of breath and more persistent fever.

The course is different - either the fever lasts 4-5 days (especially with seasonal influenza) with a lytic (more often) fall, or bronchopneumonia drags on for 2-4 weeks or longer with a possible outcome in suppuration and various other pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications.

The toxic fulminant form (as a rule, only with pandemic influenza) begins acutely, among complete health, with signs of a severe general illness: severe shortness of breath - up to 60 breaths per minute, rapidly developing (hemorrhagic) pulmonary edema, cyanosis due to pulmonary insufficiency and vascular collapse, erythrocytosis from blood clots. Death occurs suddenly with rapidly progressive prostration and stupor in 1-2 days (the so-called "Spanish flu", as the severe pandemic influenza was called during the First World War).

Influenza bronchopneumonia may also have other features of the course: it may occur in the form of false lobar (confluent) pneumonia or with toxic effects - vomiting, diarrhea, delirium (especially in children).

A protracted course is possible as a result of necrosis of the lung tissue, suppuration, pneumosclerosis.

During the transition to suppuration, sputum becomes abundant, yellowish-purulent.

Complications: atelectasis, outcome in suppuration, bronchiectasis, pneumosclerosis, pleural empyema (often caused by hemolytic streptococcus); various extrapulmonary localizations of secondary infection - otitis media, mastoiditis, sinusitis, rarely - carditis, nephritis, hemorrhagic encephalitis.

Mortality reaches 15% (in severe epidemics it reaches 50%). Pregnant women suffer from pneumonia more severely. Following the influenza epidemic, pulmonary suppurations (gangrene, abscess) become more frequent.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of bronchopneumonia

Recognition of influenza bronchopneumonia is helped by both clinical signs and x-ray examination (it has been established that it is not uncommon for a pneumonic focus to be found in a patient with very unclear complaints and symptoms), as well as laboratory data. Friedlander's confluent bronchopneumonia occurs with bloody, sometimes clearly mucous sputum and often leads to lung abscesses. Streptococcal bronchopneumonia occurs after tonsillitis or as a complication of influenza, without a violent onset, often accompanied by pleural empyema.

It is necessary to differentiate influenza bronchopneumonia primarily with tuberculosis, which is not always easy; with influenza bronchopneumonia, there may also be little auscultatory data, unsharp leukocytosis.

Significant intoxication, headaches, eye pain, severe weakness and incapacity to work, pronounced cough, sometimes herpes speak for the flu; damage mainly to the lower lobes; tuberculous lobular pneumonia almost does not resolve, is complicated by decay, or cicatricial bands and calcified foci remain. The focal pneumonia listed below should also be borne in mind.

Prevention and treatment of bronchopneumonia

Prevention of influenza pneumonia is carried out according to the instructions outlined in the section on bronchitis. The fight against influenza focal pneumonia is carried out simultaneously with the general anti-influenza fight, headed by a special committee for the fight against influenza.

In the treatment of influenza pneumonia, the regimen is carried out according to the same rules as for lobar pneumonia, which is even more important, since specific agents against the influenza virus are not known. Sulfonamides and penicillin, however, are usually widely prescribed from the first days of bronchopneumonia and even in severe bronchitis at a dose of about 1/3 less than in croupous pneumonia, in order to prevent or suppress secondary infection. With pneumonia caused by hemolytic streptococcus, large doses of penicillin are indicated, with pneumonia caused by influenza bacillus, streptomycin 2.0 in the first days.

In severe cases, oxygen therapy is also widely used, cardiovascular and nervous system tonic drugs - caffeine, strychnine, lobelia, adrenaline, cortin, in severe collapse - glucose, ascorbic acid, calcium; foxglove is shown less often, with heart failure. To influence the nervous system, water and other skin-irritating procedures are used. Good nutrition, clean air are especially important in protracted cases. With thick sputum, expectorants are appropriate to prevent atelectasis.

Previously, salicylates, urotropine, quinine were widely used, which hardly shortened the course of the disease; also, intravenous infusions of alcohol and novarsenol are not very reliable in order to prevent complications.

Along with diseases of the respiratory tract, bronchopneumonia is often found. This is an inflammatory process that occurs in small areas of the lung and is characterized by focal tissue damage. Standard treatment involves a course of treatment with antibiotics, in some cases hospitalization of the patient. If the disease is without complications, then treatment at home is possible. But, before starting treatment, it is necessary to know exactly the causes of the appearance and the primary signs of the disease.

The inflammatory nature of the disease is directly related to infectious pathogens.

Factors that contribute to bronchopneumonia:

• infection in the bronchi, its development there and further spread to the lung tissue. The main pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, pneumococci and even E. coli;
• the human respiratory system has been exposed to physical or chemical irritants;
• in rare cases, it can act as a complication of bronchitis or bronchiolitis, but mostly develops as an independent disease;
• weakened immunity, which is easily affected by external infections, and, consequently, viruses begin to multiply actively.

The bacterial form of the disease is characterized by the entry of lung bacteria into the parenchyma tissues. There is a protective reaction of the immune system and inflammation occurs.

What is the causative agent of bronchopneumonia?

• viruses - for young children, mycoplasmas - for adolescents. Symptoms develop very slowly;
• for adults - bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci);
• for the elderly, with cancer - fungal and viral infections.

How to detect bronchopneumonia in the early stages?

Symptoms of the disease:

Signs of the disease in children have their own differences:

1. The inflammatory process develops many times faster.
2. The main symptoms may be absent - high fever and a characteristic cough. Then it's worth
   pay attention to the presence of shortness of breath and loud breathing.
3. Complication after illness. If a child does not recover for a long time during a disease with bronchitis or a cold, then there is a possibility that bronchopneumonia develops.

Types of bronchopneumonia

Unilateral bronchopneumonia- clinical cases show that the disease develops only on one side. Right-sided bronchopneumonia is a very common occurrence, which occurs even more often than pneumonia. This is due to the fact that the right bronchus is located slightly lower because of this, it is much easier for bacteria to penetrate into the lower sections of the lungs. Despite this, the symptoms of right-sided and left-sided bronchopneumonia are the same and require the same treatment.

Bilateral bronchopneumonia. Among physicians, you can find such a name as croupous bronchial pneumonia. At the onset of the disease, the alveolar

acini, to the extent of which even hemorrhages may appear. Damaged tissue begins to inflame. A timely visit to a doctor and the appointment of the correct course of therapy guarantees a quick recovery, in case of neglect of treatment, a fatal outcome is possible. Deaths are also observed among those people who had a very weakened immune system. Bronchial pneumonia of this type is most often found in children.

catarrhal bronchopneumonia. This type of disease can be found among animals, for humans there is no chance of becoming infected. Catarrhal bronchial pneumonia can easily turn into purulent pneumonia. A timely diagnosis and course of treatment will help to quickly get rid of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

If there are obvious signs of bronchopneumonia or suspicion of them, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnostics consists of the following manipulations:

• body temperature measurement;
• the lungs are tapped with fingers, if the disease is present, then the sound should be shortened;
• using a stethoscope, the lungs are listened to to detect wheezing and noises, which confirm the presence of a respiratory disease (unfortunately, the diagnostic method is recognized as ineffective in determining bronchopneumonia);
• fluoroscopy (in the picture it is examined which area is affected and where it spreads);
• laboratory tests (sputum samples are taken);
• computed tomography (very rarely used).

Risk of complications

Treatment methods for bronchopneumonia

This disease provides complex therapy:

Such methods of treatment are used for bronchopneumonia in adults. In children, this disease is much more complicated, so the treatment has distinctive features:

1. Hospital treatment. If adults are allowed to be treated at home, then for children, hospitalization is necessary only until the moment of complete recovery. Cases of the disease with complications include treatment in the intensive care unit.
2. Antiviral drugs. They are prescribed if the cause of the disease was viruses.
3. Water balance. Children are characterized by rapid dehydration, so doctors can prescribe not only heavy drinking, but also a dropper.
4. oxygen inhalation. This method prevents shortness of breath.

Is it possible to use traditional medicine

Undoubtedly, folk remedies can become integral assistants in the fight against the disease. But you can only use them only after consulting with your doctor.

Some traditional medicine may be ineffective at one stage or another of the course of the disease or may not be suitable due to the characteristics of the patient's body.

• birch buds and honey. To eliminate the symptoms of the disease, a remedy is prepared based on birch buds, which are boiled with honey. The patient should take the finished product half an hour before bedtime, one dessert spoon;
• plantain. Compresses are made from the leaves of the plant. To do this, a fresh leaf of plantain is dried a little and applied to the patient's chest, then wrapped in a blanket or a warm scarf;
• tar. It is necessary to take three liters of boiling water and pour tar, leave this mixture for a little more than a week and give the patient half an hour before bedtime every day.

If you adhere to the prescribed course of treatment, then the course of bronchopneumonia will pass without a trace. Upon recovery, an x-ray should be taken to fully confirm that the treatment was effective. Full recovery occurs in a month. Treatment with folk remedies is possible only as an additional therapy to the main treatment.