Acute bronchitis and pneumonia
Acute bronchitis (bronchitis) is an infection caused by a virus on the bronchial mucosa, which usually lasts less than 3 weeks. Acute bronchitis does not appear in the lungs and the antibiotic does not promote its healing or even alleviate the symptoms.
Pneumonia (pneumonia) is an inflammation of the lung tissue caused by a virus, a bacterium, or both. Symptoms are usually similar to those of acute bronchitis but more severe. Pneumonia can be identified by an X-ray of the lungs. The treatment is a course of antibiotics.
Symptoms
In addition to coughing, common symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection are coughs, ie mucus rises from the lungs during coughing. The spirit is distressed and feels like the spirit is not moving properly, the breath is wheezing and the chest may also be sore. The patient may also have fever, headaches and muscle aches, but in acute bronchitis, the patient's general condition remains good.
In pneumonia, the symptoms are very similar but more severe and the patient may be very relieved. Lung fever is also indicated by higher fever, increased breathing and heart rate, and a feeling of lack of oxygen.
Severe pneumonia
Symptoms of severe pneumonia may include confusion or loss of consciousness, increased breathing and heart rate, and a fall in blood pressure. Blood tests can also confirm the suspicion: white blood cells (leukocytes) below 3 x 10 9 / l or more than 15 x 10 9 / l, as well as CRP (over 100 mg / l), suggest severe pneumonia.
Identification
If the symptoms indicate a lower respiratory tract infection, it should be investigated whether it is sudden bronchitis or pneumonia.
Sometimes the general condition of a person with pneumonia deteriorates rapidly, even if he does not have the typical symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection. For example, pneumococcal pneumonia can develop very quickly, be severely symptomatic and even life-threatening.
Risk factors for pneumonia
The risk of developing pneumonia is increased by the age of the patient (especially after the age of 65), other long-term illnesses, smoking, alcoholism, or possible immune deficiency. The risk is also exacerbated by a history of pneumonia and poor oral hygiene. Studies suggest that gastric acid blockers (some types of heartburn medicines) and certain inhaled medicines (so-called inhaled steroids) may increase the risk, at least in certain groups of patients.
The risk of pneumonia increases after the flu season and other viral infections, so washing your hands, using a hand wash and quitting smoking are also part of the prevention of pneumonia.
Pneumococcal and influenza vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk for severe pneumococcal infection and for those with a history of hospitalized pneumonia. For more information on pneumococcal vaccine and risk groups.
The flu vaccine is also recommended for the prevention of pneumonia, as influenza vaccine reduces the severity of pneumonia and improves prognosis. Certain groups at risk get the flu-free every year. For more information on influenza vaccine and risk groups.
Care
Bronchitis
The treatment of bronchitis is asymptomatic treatment: rest, inhale.ation of steam, use of nasal drops to relieve obstruction, and, if necessary, a painkiller to ease the condition. Honey, eucalyptus oil, or any hydration of the throat or larynx alleviates symptoms.
Antibiotic courses are of no use; it does not promote healing or even alleviate symptoms.
Pneumonia
If pneumonia is diagnosed or strongly suspected by a physician, antibiotic therapy should be initiated, even if the pulmonary imaging is currently normal or is not yet available.
The primary antibiotic is amoxicillin, penicillin-allergic moxifloxacin or levofloxacin. If a patient has been on antibiotic therapy for the past 3 months, another antibiotic should be selected for the treatment of pneumonia other than the antimicrobial agent previously used.
The course of antibiotics should last at least 5-7 days. If the disease is severe or the patient has other significant illnesses, the treatment period should be longer. Before stopping the medication, the patient should be fever-free for 2-3 days.
care facility
Most people with pneumonia can be treated safely at home, as long as the oral medication is successful and there are no other factors preventing the treatment. Severe pneumonia is usually treated in the hospital.
Treatment of pneumonia in the ward
In the ward, intravenous cefuroxime is recommended as the primary drug for pneumonia. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, especially young healthy individuals, penicillin G can be given. Following intravenous treatment, the same drugs used to treat at-home pneumonia are used.
Recovery
Patients should contact their treating physician if their condition deteriorates markedly or if symptoms - especially fever - do not improve within a couple of days. In this case, the patient's condition should be reassessed.
Acute bronchitis coughing may last for about 3 weeks. Recovery is unique. Often, sick leave is not needed, but recovery depends on the profession.
Recovery from pneumonia can take weeks. This must also be taken into account in the length of sick leave.
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| Bronchitis or pneumonia |
follow-up examination
If the patient is over 50 years old or smokes, it is advisable to take a new lung image after 6-8 weeks. If the patient is a basic healthy, non-smoker, less than 50 years of age, and healing well, there is no need to routinely re-examine the lung after he has recovered.
The text of the patient version has been updated by Kirsi Tarnanen, the journalist responsible for patient versions on the basis of the Duodecim's Current Care Recommendation. It has been reviewed by Pekka Honkanen, chairman of the working group that prepared the current care recommendation, general practitioner and health centre physician, and Tuula Meinander, a specialist in internal medicine.
Limitation of Liability
Current Care Recommendations and Avoid Wise Recommendations are expert summaries of the effectiveness of diagnostics and treatment of individual illnesses. They do not replace the judgment of the physician or other health care professional regarding the best possible diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the individual patient when making treatment decisions.
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