Focal pneumonia: what is it, symptoms, treatment, rehabilitation
The content of the article:
- Classification
-
The reasons for the development of pathology
- Causative agents of pneumonia
- Factors influencing the development of the disease
- Symptoms of focal lung damage
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Complications
- Rehabilitation
- Video
Focal pneumonia is an infectious disease in which the inflammatory process does not affect the entire lung tissue, but only one area, while forming large-focal or small-focal inflammation in the lobes of the lung.
In case of focal pneumonia, consult a doctor
According to statistics, focal pneumonia occurs in 40% of cases. With timely and rational therapy, a protracted course and recurrence of the inflammatory process are prevented.
Classification
Depending on how extensive the area is affected, the following types of pathology are distinguished:
- small focal: there is one small lesion;
- large focal: a large, limited area of the lung is affected;
- focal-drainage: large foci from one side merge into one.
Depending on which of the lungs is affected, left-sided, right-sided and bilateral pneumonia are isolated. The inflammatory process can be acute or become chronic.
The reasons for the development of pathology
Causative agents of pneumonia
Many microorganisms can cause inflammation, but most often the following microbes lead to the development of a focal form of pneumonia:
| Causative agents of pneumonia | Characteristic |
| Pneumococcus | This bacterium is the most common cause of pneumonia. In almost 60% of cases, it is detected in patients with pneumonia. It causes dangerous forms of the disease |
| Staphylococcus | These bacteria are less likely to cause inflammation than pneumococcus. But with staphylococcal pneumonia, complications often occur |
| Klebsiella | It belongs to conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and often lives on mucous membranes and skin, without exerting a negative effect. But with pneumonia caused by Klebsiella, significant damage to the lung tissue occurs. In the absence of timely treatment, this form of the disease becomes the cause of death. |
| Streptococcus | Often these bacteria cause blurred forms of pathology. The symptoms in this case are not very pronounced, and the disease can only be detected with the help of X-rays. Streptococcus is often the cause of complications |
| Ureaplasma, chlamydia, gonococcus |
Most often, they enter the body during oral-genital contacts and become the cause of atypical pneumonia. This form of the disease is difficult to treat and is considered the most dangerous. |
| Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus | They rarely cause a focal form of the disease (in about 5% of cases), but the disease is quickly complicated and difficult to treat |
Often, pneumonia occurs against the background of a viral infection with the addition of bacterial and mycoplasma flora.
Pathogenic microorganisms enter the human body in the following ways:
- airborne. When coughing, sneezing or talking from an infected person, pathogens enter the air and stay there for some time, posing a danger to people in the immediate vicinity;
- pin. Infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person (kissing, shaking hands) or using personal hygiene items;
- perinatal. From an infected mother through the placenta, the infection reaches the fetus. Also, an infant can become infected when passing through the birth canal;
- oral-genital. Infection occurs through oral contact with the partner's genitals;
- hematogenous. Together with the blood, pathogenic microorganisms move to the lung region from sources of chronic infection.
Factors influencing the development of the disease
The development of the disease is influenced by factors such as:
- frequent hypothermia, which negatively affects the immune system;
- bad habits such as smoking, alcohol or drug use;
- the presence in the body of a focus of chronic inflammation, teeth affected by caries, diseased joints, sinusitis;
- frequent respiratory illnesses;
- taking drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants), which are prescribed for cancer and autoimmune diseases or for organ transplantation;
- hormonal disorders.
Symptoms of focal lung damage
The disease is quite insidious, it can be confused with bronchitis or other forms of the disease. In some cases, it can only be detected using an X-ray.
Signs of focal lung lesions include:
| Signs | Features: |
| Increased body temperature |
Hyperthermia occurs in only 50% of patients. Unlike croupous pneumonia, this form of the disease does not give a burnt rise in body temperature. It can rise to 39 ° C, then decrease on its own |
| Cough with expectoration | It is observed quite often, but not always. As a rule, it begins in the evening and continues during the night with attacks. The patient coughs especially strongly in the morning. In this case, a small amount of light sputum is released, purulent inclusions can be observed in very rare cases. |
| Chest pain | This symptom occurs in many patients. Painful sensations are noted both during inhalation and exhalation. They can worsen if the patient changes position of the body or someone touches his back |
| Obstructive breathing disorder | A doctor can identify this symptom with a stethoscope. The patient breathes in normally, but cannot breathe out properly. At the same time, wheezing and whistling in the lungs are absent, which significantly complicates the diagnosis. With large-focal lesions, respiratory failure may occur, as evidenced by shortness of breath |
| Common symptoms | A patient with focal pneumonia may have weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite, drowsiness |
With bilateral focal pneumonia, the symptoms are more pronounced.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis and treatment of the disease is carried out by a pulmonologist or therapist. Initially, he conducts a survey and identifies the patient's complaints. At the next stage, palpation and tapping are performed (with pneumonia, the sound is muffled). It is also mandatory to listen to the lungs with a phonendoscope.
X-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis.
In any case, if pneumonia is suspected, an x-ray is prescribed. In the picture, you can determine the presence of foci of inflammation.
A patient with suspected focal pneumonia needs to donate blood for analysis in order to determine the concentration of leukocytes and ESR. A change in these indicators indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Also, the patient needs to pass a sputum test. This allows you to determine the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
Treatment
Small focal pneumonia can be treated at home. Therapy for severe forms of the disease is carried out in a hospital setting. If pneumonia is treated at home, the patient should be kept to bed.
In case of a severe course of the disease, hospitalization is indicated
For the treatment of pathology, in most cases, antibiotics from the group of penicillins or cephalosporins are prescribed:
- mild course: drugs for oral administration are used in the form of tablets or suspension;
- severe course: antibiotics are prescribed in the form of intramuscular or intravenous injections.
The drug itself, the dosage and treatment regimen should be prescribed by a doctor. In the complex treatment of the disease, in addition to antibiotics, antifungal drugs and agents are used to restore the intestinal microflora.
If the patient has a cough with phlegm, he is prescribed mucolytics, which can clear the bronchi and lungs of mucus.
With proper and timely treatment, on the 7th day, the disease enters the resolution stage.
Complications
If timely treatment is not started, focal pneumonia can lead to the development of the following complications:
- parapneumonic pleurisy;
- emphysema of the lungs;
- respiratory failure;
- broncho-obstructive syndrome;
- gangrene of the lungs.
Rehabilitation
Recovery from pneumonia lasts an average of 2–3 months. During this period, the patient should eat well - eat meat, eggs, milk, vegetables and fruits.
During the recovery period, physiotherapy exercises are recommended
In order to restore lung function, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises and breathing exercises are prescribed.
Focal pneumonia is a rather serious disease that in severe advanced cases can be fatal. Therefore, if you suspect pneumonia, you should immediately seek the advice of a doctor.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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