Viral Pneumonia

What is viral pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia is when an infection causes swelling and fluid in the lungs. The fluid in the lungs may make it hard for you to breathe. Viral pneumonia, also called viral pneumonitis, happens most often during the winter. People with viral pneumonia can have symptoms that range from mild to very severe (bad).

What causes viral pneumonia?

Many different viruses can cause viral pneumonia. A virus is a type of germ. Examples of viruses that can cause pneumonia include influenza, chickenpox, and RSV. You may get a virus by breathing it in, such as breathing the air around someone who is coughing. You may get a virus from touching something that has a virus on it, such as a dirty tissue. You may get pneumonia from a virus in your own body that travels to your lungs.

What increases my risk for viral pneumonia?

The following make you more likely to get pneumonia:

• You have a lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema.
  
  
• You smoke or regularly breathe secondhand smoke.
  
  
• You have problems with your immune system. Your immune system helps you fight off illness.
  
  
• You have a long-term medical condition, such as heart failure.
  
  
• You stay in bed for a long time, such as after an injury or surgery.
  
  
• You are over 50 years of age.

What are the signs and symptoms of viral pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe.

• Common signs and symptoms of pneumonia:
  
  
  • Frequent coughing. Your cough may be dry, or it may bring up mucus from your lungs. This phlegm may be green, yellow, or white, and may have streaks of blood in it.
    
    
  • Fatigue (tired), body aches, or a runny or stuffy nose
    
    
  • Fever or chills
    
    
  • Shortness of breath or noisy breathing, such as a high-pitched wheezing
    
    
  • Chest pain when you cough or take a deep breath
  
  
• Signs that your pneumonia may be serious: If you have pneumonia and have any of the following signs, contact a caregiver right away.
  
  
  • Fast heartbeat or breathing while you are resting
    
    
  • Severe dizziness, fainting, or new trouble thinking (confusion)
    
    
  • You feel like you cannot get enough air, or your lips or fingernails turn dusky or blue.
  
  
• Special signs to watch for in an older person: Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may be hard to notice in an older person. An older person may have only a mild fever. They may have pain in the upper part of their abdomen (belly). Sometimes the only signs of pneumonia in an older person are new weakness, new confusion (trouble thinking), or breathing faster than normal. Pneumonia can become serious very quickly in older people. If you or someone you care for is an older person and has any of these signs, tell a caregiver right away.

How is viral pneumonia diagnosed?

Your caregiver may ask you many questions about your signs and symptoms. Tell him if you have been around any sick people or animals, or if you have traveled recently. He will examine you and listen to your heart and lungs through a stethoscope. You may need tests such as blood tests or a chest x-ray.

How is viral pneumonia treated?

Treatment will depend on how bad your symptoms are. Most people with pneumonia are treated at home. Older adults or people with other health problems may need to stay in the hospital. You may need one or more of the following:

• Medicines to fight infection:
  
  
  • Antiviral medicine: Antiviral medicine may help decrease the number of days you are sick. This medicine works only if you take it within 1 to 2 days of the start of your symptoms.
    
    
  • Antibiotics and viral pneumonia: Antibiotic medicine does not work against viruses, only bacteria. However, you may need antibiotics to keep from getting another infection while you are sick with viral pneumonia. Your caregiver may give you antibiotics if you are at risk of getting infections easily. You may be at risk if you are over a certain age, or if your pneumonia is very bad. Other health problems, such as lung disease or heart failure, also increase this risk. If you are given antibiotics, take them as ordered until they are gone, even if you feel better. Never save antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Other medicines:
  
  
  • Cough medicine:
    
    
    • You may need a cough medicine to help loosen phlegm in your lungs and make it easier to cough up. This type of cough medicine is called an expectorant. Drink plenty of water if you are taking an expectorant type of cough medicine. Coughing the phlegm out of your lungs can help you breathe easier.
      
      
    • A type of cough medicine that decreases your urge to cough is called a cough suppressant. If your cough is producing mucus, do not take a cough suppressant unless your caregiver tells you to. For example, your caregiver may suggest that you take a cough suppressant at night so you can rest.
    
    
  • Inhalers and nebulizers: Your caregiver may give you one or more inhalers to help you breathe easier and cough up mucus. An inhaler gives your medicine in a mist form so that you can breathe it into your lungs. This type of medicine may also be given using a nebulizer, or "breathing treatment machine". Using inhalers and nebulizers the right way takes practice. Ask your caregiver for more information about using inhalers and nebulizers correctly.
    
    
  • Steroids: Steroid medicine may help to open your air passages so you can breathe easier. Do not stop taking this medicine without your caregiver's OK. Stopping on your own can cause problems.
    
    
  • Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen while you are recovering from pneumonia. It is usually given through nasal prongs (short, thin tubes in your nose). It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose.
    
    
  • Over-the-counter medicine: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are the kind that you can buy without an order (prescription) from a caregiver. OTC medicine may be used for many reasons, such as decreasing pain or a high body temperature (fever). These medicines are safe for most people to use and can help you feel better when used correctly. However, they can cause serious problems when they are not used correctly. People using certain other medicines or that have certain medical conditions are at a higher risk for problems. Using too much, or using these medicines for longer than the label says can also cause problems. Follow directions on the label carefully. If you have questions, talk to your caregiver.

How do I prevent or help treat viral pneumonia?

• Avoid the spread of germs:
  
  
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Carry germ-killing gel with you. You can use the gel to clean your hands when there is no soap and water available.
    
    
  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth unless you have washed your hands first.
    
    
  • Always cover your mouth when you cough. Cough into a tissue or your shirtsleeve so you do not spread germs from your hands.
    
    
  • Try to avoid people who have a cold or the flu. If you are sick, stay away from others as much as possible.
  
  
• Vaccines: To prevent influenza (flu), all adults should get the influenza vaccine. They should get it every year as soon as it becomes available. The pneumococcal vaccine is given to adults aged 65 years or older to prevent pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia. People aged 19 to 64 years at high risk for pneumococcal disease also should get the pneumococcal vaccine. It may need to be repeated 5 years later.
  
  
• Quit smoking: Do not smoke, and do not allow others to smoke around you. Smoking increases your risk of lung infections and pneumonia. Smoking also makes it harder for you to get better after you have a lung infection. Talk to your caregiver if you need help to quit smoking.
  
  
• Stay away from smoke, dust, and fumes (strong smells): Avoid working around chemicals, fumes, or dust. Air pollution and smoke from fireplaces or forest fires in your area may also make it harder for you to breathe.
  
  
• Drink enough liquids: Men 19 years old or older should drink about 3 liters of liquid each day (close to thirteen 8 ounce cups). Women 19 years old or older should drink about 2.2 liters of liquid each day (close to nine 8 ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must limit the amount of liquid you drink. Liquids help thin your mucus, which may make it easier for you to cough it up. While you are sick, do not drink alcohol.
  
  
• Get plenty of rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Eat a healthy diet: Good nutrition can help your body fight illness. Eat a variety of healthy foods every day. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans). Dairy products (such as milk, cheese, and ice cream) can sometimes cause more mucus. Ask your caregiver if you should decrease your intake of dairy products while you are coughing up mucus.
  
  
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer: Use a cool mist humidifier or a vaporizer to increase air moisture in your home. This may make it easier for you to breathe, and help decrease your cough. Be sure to clean your humidifier with soap and water every day to prevent germs.

Risks:

Pneumonia can be serious, even life-threatening. Pneumonia is especially dangerous for people over the age of 50, and people with immune system or other health problems. If your pneumonia is very bad, you may need to stay in the hospital. It may take a long time to get better after you have pneumonia. The sooner your pneumonia is treated, the less chance you have of problems.

When should I contact my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have fever and chills.
  
  
• Your cough comes back, does not go away, or you begin to cough up blood.
  
  
• You feel very tired or weak, or are sleeping more than usual.
  
  
• You cannot eat or have loss of appetite, nausea (upset stomach), or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You are urinating less, or not at all.
  
  
• Your heart or pulse beats more than 100 times in 1 minute.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You are confused and cannot think clearly.
  
  
• You have increased trouble breathing, or your breathing seems faster than normal.
  
  
• Your lips or fingernails turn gray or blue.

For more information:

Contact the following for more information about pneumonia:

• American Lung Association
  1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
  Washington , DC 20004
  Phone: 1- 202 - 785-3355
  Phone: 1- 800 - 548-8252
  Web Address: www.lung.org
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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