Pneumonia without a cough

Introduction / definition

Pneumonia is also known as pneumonia in medical terminology! This is a acute or chronic inflammation of the tissues in the lungs. The infection can be through bacteria, viruses or Mushrooms caused. That too Inhalation of toxic substances and Aerosols can cause pneumonia. The infection is accompanied by various symptoms. The symptoms can be typical of pneumonia but also atypical and therefore do not always indicate pneumonia. Furthermore, between a primary and secondary pneumonia distinguished.

The primary one is pneumonia that affects a healthy person in whom there are no risk factors. On the other hand, one speaks of secondary pneumonia if the Affected person belongs to the risk group. The risk factors include underlying diseases that weaken the immune system. This includes, for example, HIV, cancer, diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, people who suffer from an underlying lung disease are predisposed to develop pneumonia. These diseases include COPD, cystic fibrosis and Emphysema. Continue to belong old people and especially small children (see also: Pneumonia in the child) to the risk group.

In addition, between a outpatient and one nosocomial Differentiated pneumonia. The outpatient pneumonia is due to Contagion outside the hospital acquired, for example in nursing and old people's homes. The nosocomial pneumonia occurs during a hospital stay or 14 days afterwards. The background to this distinction is the different treatment due to different causative pathogens. In the case of nosocomial pneumonia are common multi-resistant germs which often make therapy difficult.

causes

In most cases, pneumonia is caused by various pathogens. The spectrum includes bacteria, viruses, fungi and, in rare cases, parasites. However, most of bacteria will like Pneumococci, Streptococci and Staphylococci caused. They usually trigger typical pneumonia.

In contrast, chlamydia, mycoplasma, legionella and interstitial pathogens cause atypical pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by chlamydia is a disease of the genus Chlamydia pneumoniae. They are only transmitted from person to person. Legionella are often found in lakes, showers, air conditioning systems and heating systems. They can be found in the water, especially in old houses and pipes. Inhaling evaporated water is particularly dangerous because the pathogens are ultimately in the aerosols.

In addition to the typical pathogens, irritating and poisonous substances that are inhaled through the air can also cause pneumonia. The substances settle in the lung tissue and trigger an inflammatory reaction there. In some cases, aspirated food or stomach acid can also cause infection. This risk is particularly increased in young children. Young children, the elderly and chronically ill people are at increased risk of developing pneumonia, because they either have an incompletely developed immune system or a chronic illness has weakened it. In cancer patients in particular, lung infections can occur more frequently during radiation therapy. Patients who also take immunosuppressive drugs are also particularly at risk.
Other risk factors are:

• Nicotine abuse,
• alcoholism
• Obesity
  and
• lack of exercise.

Read more on the topic: Causes of Pneumonia

Symptoms

In addition to the typical pneumonia, there is also one atypicalwhich is a little different from the former. Typical pneumonia usually sets in suddenly and with the characteristic symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. It is accompanied by chills, weakness and a general feeling of illness. The cough in particular can be very persistent and uncomfortable. Atypical pneumonia, on the other hand, can start more insidiously and does not necessarily have to be accompanied by fever and cough. Even with virus-related pneumonia and those caused by parasites, a cough does not necessarily have to occur. What is dangerous about atypical pneumonia are the symptoms that can often persist for a long time and are not noticed. This can make pneumonia worse because the symptoms are not clear enough and pneumonia is not recognized. The person affected does not cure the infection properly and there is a risk that chronic inflammation will manifest itself and the pathogens will spread further.

Pneumonia is often much more severe in older people than in younger people. Many older patients also suffer from diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus. As a result, the body is already weakened and cannot muster enough defenses to fend off further inflammation in the body, in this case that of the lung tissue. Treatment in the hospital under constant supervision is often necessary because the elderly patients can also fall into states of confusion or twilight.

Read more on the topic:

• Symptoms of pneumonia
• Pneumonia pain
• Pneumonia

fever

fever can mostly with pneumonia as one of the first signs occur. The patient initially feels tired and weak. In addition to the exhaustion, the fever often develops in the evening or overnight. The fever begins with sudden chills. The patient is very cold and the body tries to defend itself against the pathogens. Temperatures of up to 39 or 40 degrees are not uncommon. Pneumonia with a high fever is often bacterial. Pneumonia caused by viruses often goes without chills and the temperature reaches a maximum of 38.5 degrees. A Pneumonia without a fever runs, too cold pneumonia called. Especially then there is the risk that pneumonia will be mistaken for a common cold.

Pneumonia without sputum

In typical pneumonia, sputum appears as the disease progresses. The dry cough eventually turns into a cough with expectoration. This can be yellowish but also mixed with blood. Atypical pneumonia or mild pneumonia does not necessarily have to be an expectoration. The sputum is often an indication of a lung disease. If it finally fails to appear, it can happen that the pneumonia remains undetected and has been dormant in the body for days. Therefore, if there are other symptoms that could indicate pneumonia, the person concerned should have himself examined and accordingly cure himself correctly if it is actually pneumonia.

Pneumonia in Young Children

Small children belong to that Risk groupwho get pneumonia faster and more often. Small children still own not a fully mature one Defense system and can therefore develop pneumonia more quickly in the event of an infection with the corresponding pathogens. Infection of the lungs can often make itself felt differently in young children than in adults. Typical symptoms such as occur bloated stomach, Head- and Body aches on. Other signs of pneumonia can include a high fever, Changes in children's behavior, rapid breathing, Unwillingness to drink, decreased appetite and a increased heart rate be. In children, too, pneumonia is not always accompanied by a cough. Parents should always consult a doctor with their sick child.

diagnosis

In an anamnesis discussion, the attending physician first asks about the symptoms. He often goes into more detail on fever, whether there is a cough and sputum and shortness of breath. In doing so, he directs the cause of the disease to the lungs. Finally, traditional listening with a stethoscope follows. During auscultation, the doctor typically hears rattling noises while breathing, which can indicate pneumonia.

Breathing sounds arise when the alveoli are blocked by mucus in different areas of the lungs. The doctor also pats the back. When it comes to percussion, too, the doctor can differentiate between healthy and diseased lungs. An X-ray examination can also confirm the suspicion of pneumonia. Light shadows can appear in the X-ray image. These areas become condensed and inflamed. This also allows the extent and location of the inflammation to be assessed.Using a bronchoscopy, in which the lungs are examined with flexible optics, a smear can also be taken directly from the lungs.

If the patient has a sputum, it can also be sent for laboratory analysis. In this way, the exact cause of the inflammation can be determined, which is important for the subsequent treatment with an antibiotic. A blood test can also indicate various signs such as increased white blood cell counts and CRP levels of pneumonia.

Find out all about the topic here: Diagnosis of pneumonia.

treatment

In most cases, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics because bacteria are often the trigger. Both typical and atypical pneumonia are treated with antibiotics. In atypical pneumonia, therapy is started even if the pathogen is not yet known. After this has finally been determined by means of a laboratory analysis, you can switch to an appropriate drug. In addition to drug therapy, well-established means such as plenty of sleep and bed rest also help. If the patient also has a fever, he should also drink a lot because the need for fluids is increased. Pneumonia can usually be cured at home. The elderly and young children may need hospitalization, especially if symptoms are severe. Even with an underlying immune deficiency or other underlying diseases and complications, the patient is better cared for in the hospital.

For more information, read on here: The therapy of pneumonia.

Do i need an antibiotic?

In almost all cases of real pneumonia, antibiotics are necessary and sensible, as they are rarely caused by viruses, but mostly by bacteria that can be fought with the right antibiotics. Even in the case of pneumonia that was not caused by bacteria, an antibiotic is usually given to prevent the attacked lung tissue from being additionally colonized by bacteria and thus causing a so-called superinfection, which could worsen the course.
Also the difference between typical or atypical pneumonia and the exact extent of the symptoms does not play a role in the administration of antibiotics, at most in the exact choice of the preparation or the active ingredient.

Find out more about the topic here: Antibiotics for pneumonia.

How contagious is pneumonia without a cough?

Just because pneumonia is not accompanied by a cough doesn't mean it's not contagious anyway. Pneumonia is viral or bacterial principally contagious. The spread of the pathogen from person to person takes place through a so-called Droplet infection instead, whereby the smallest liquid particles are absorbed via the airways, which previously not only by coughing, but also by z. B. sneezing or speaking in the air.
Nevertheless, the likelihood of actually becoming infected after inhaling pathogens is rather low, since an intact immune system in most cases forms a sufficient barrier against them and can avert infection.

Duration of pneumonia

Pneumonia - both typical and atypical with the lack of classic symptoms such as cough and fever - usually sounds within the range of correct antibiotic therapy a week from. To two to three weeks at the latest any symptoms of pneumonia should be completely gone.
Beyond this time, it can happen that a somewhat longer-lasting tiredness and reduced physical performance are noticeable. The reason for this is the extra work of the body's own immune system, which ran at full speed during the pneumonia and resulted in a high consumption of strength.

If the symptoms persist longer, one speaks of a delayed (after 6-8 weeks also of a chronic) pneumonia, the causes of which can be too late, incorrect or missing antibiotics or insufficient cure.