Manifestations Of Viral Pneumonia
July 29, 2009
Viral pneumonia is a self-limited febrile illness characterized by inflammation of conjunctivae and the respiratory tract. The condition is commonly seen in children aged a few days upto 3 years. Though it can affect any age group and both sexes.
Symptoms
The symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, rapid infection of upper and lower respiratory tracts, sore throat, cough, skin rash and diarrhoea.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for acquiring the infection include large gatherings in a small area like day care centers, swimming pools etc. Immuno-compromised people are at high risk for severe disease.
Differential Diagnosis
The symptoms of viral pneumonia need to be differentiated from some specific febrile illnesses.
Acute febrile respiratory illness – Non-specific cold like symptoms, fever, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonitis. It occurs usually in children with incubation days of around 2-5 days. Rarely, pertussis like syndrome may also develop.
Acute respiratory disease – Malaise, fever, chills, headache, pharyngitis, hoarseness and dry cough. Fever lasts for 2-4 days and the condition subsides in 10-12 days.
Kerato-conjunctivitis – Unilateral onset of ocular redness and oedema, pre-orbital swelling and local discomfort. The condition may last for 3-4 weeks.
Investigations
Lab investigations include viral cultures from respiratory or faecal sources. Antigen may be detected from the stool specimen. Broncho-pneumonia is seen in severe respiratory infections. In usually severe cases, biopsy may be required to detect the exact cause.
Treatment
Treatment is usually supportive and symptomatic. The treatment regime is mostly ambulatory except in case of severely ill infants with severe pneumonia. Rest is advised during the febrile phase.
Medications including cough suppressants and expectorations are given to the patient. Avoid aspirin in children and instruct the usage of nasal spray, cough preparations and frequent hand washing.
Prognosis
The illness is self-limited and usually ends without any sequelae. Severe infection and death may occur in very young and immuno-compromised patients.
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