Viral Pneumonia: Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the alveoli or the air sacs of the lungs. It is a very serious disease and commonly affects children and aged individuals. If the cause of the pneumonia is a virus, then it is known as viral pneumonia. The symptoms include: cough, cold, fever and chest pain. Treatment comprises of rest, pain killers, fluids, humidifiers and in some cases antiviral medications.

Young children and older individuals are at a higher risk to develop this disease, as their immune system is weak and cannot fight the virus efficiently.

• Adenovirus
• Influenza
• Rhinoviruses

• Coronaviruses
• Parainfluenza virus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

There are certain individuals or conditions which puts a person at a higher risk for developing viral pneumonia, such as:

• Premature babies.
• Children who are suffering from heart and lung problems.
• Individuals having HIV infection.
• Individuals who are suffering from cancer and as a result are receiving chemotherapy….and also those medications which make the immune system weak.
• Individuals who have had organ transplants.

• Chest pain is present which can be sharp or stabbing in nature, especially if the pneumonia/infection is severe.
• Coughing is present and patient may also cough up mucus which could be blood tinged.
• Fever is present.
• Patient has shaking chills.
• Difficulty in breathing, especially when doing physical activities.
• Mental confusion can be present in older people.
• There is a lot of sweating with clammy skin.
• Patient may also experience headache.
• Patient has no appetite; feels weak and lethargic.

• If the patient is over 65 years of age and is having mental confusion.
• Patient is experiencing extreme shortness of breath and requires assistance with breathing.
• Rapid drop in blood pressure.
• Patient has prior medical conditions such as heart failure, kidney problems and COPD.

• Complete physical exam.
• Chest x-ray helps in differentiating pneumonia from acute bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
• CT scan of the chest.
• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Blood cultures and tests to detect the type of virus.
• Sputum culture.
• Bronchoscopy is rarely required.
• Nasal swab test is done to check for flu viruses.
• Open lung biopsy is rarely done and that too for very serious medical conditions and when a conclusive diagnosis cannot be reached by other tests.

The aim of treatment is to alleviate the symptoms and to get rid of the infection.

• Usually hospital stay is not required and the patient gets better with rest and medications at home.
• If the patient is dehydrated and the infection is serious, then only a hospital stay is warranted.
• Antibiotics are not required for viral pneumonia. There are antiviral medications available, but they are effective only against influenza pneumonia and herpes family of viruses.
• Some of the antivirals which are given include: Amantadine, rimantadine, ribavirin, oseltamivir, zanamivir, foscarnet, cidofovir and acyclovir.
• NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, help in alleviating fever and body pains.
• Pain medications are also given to relieve chest pain.
• Cough medications are given for relief from cough.
• Patient should rest more.
• Patient should make sure to drink lots of fluids throughout the day.
• Humidifiers should be used, especially at nights.
• Corticosteroid medicines are also used, though their use is debatable.

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