Did you know that there are serious diseases that do not make themselves known at all or manifest themselves in such a way that they are easily neglected? One of these is asymptomatic pneumonia, which, if neglected, carries dangerous health consequences. However, the good news is that you can avoid them if you see your doctor quickly. How can you recognise if there is something worrying going on in your body? We will tell you what signals you should be alert to, what the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic pneumonia looks like, and how to get medical help in just 15 minutes!
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What is pneumonia? In the simplest words, it is a disease of the lungs in which inflammation develops within the lungs, leading to the alveoli filling with secretions. As soon as this develops, the body's defence mechanisms kick in and it does its best to rid itself of both the inflammation and the excess secretions. This is why sufferers are most often bothered by a wet cough, fever, dyspnoea, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, chills and night sweats. As you can see, these are very characteristic symptoms that make it easy to diagnose this disease. However, you must be aware that there is also asymptomatic pneumonia, which no longer sends such clear signals. How then can you recognise it? You will find the answer to this question later in this article.
Bacteria are responsible for around 70% of pneumonia cases, while the remainder is mainly due to fungal and viral infections.
The term 'asymptomatic pneumonia' suggests that the disease has no symptoms, which can be somewhat misleading. In most cases, it is accompanied by some symptoms - including those listed above - but these are low in intensity or non-specific enough to be easily attributed to other conditions. These include:
Asymptomatic pneumonia most often develops in immunocompromised individuals, especially seniors and young children.
What tests for asymptomatic pneumonia should be done to confirm or exclude the disease? One of the most helpful diagnostic tools is a lung X-ray to verify whether inflammation has developed within the lungs. Add to this pool a morphology and CRP, or C-reactive protein, which is such an indicator that not only confirms whether inflammation is taking place in the body, but also indicates its severity. In addition, it is worth taking sputum and pleural fluid to see which pathogen is involved and, on this basis, to develop an effective treatment. Furthermore, an ultrasound or CT scan of the lungs may be necessary.
Remember that mild symptoms are no indication that asymptomatic pneumonia is not severe - after all, it has become known as insidious for a reason. If it is underestimated, it can have serious health consequences, including:
This is why, even if you experience a seemingly trivial symptom, you should see a specialist as soon as possible.
Are you worried that your General Practitioner (GP) will take a low-key approach to your problem and all you can hope for is a prescription for cough syrup? Then entrust your health to someone who cares about it as much as you do! During a teleconsultation with our online internist or pulmonologist, you can count on expert medical advice. Whenever necessary, the doctor on duty will refer you for tests and write you an e-prescription for the necessary medication. And all this without you having to visit an on-call doctor's surgery
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What causes asymptomatic pneumonia? As you already know, bacteria, viruses and a fungus are mainly behind it. Which ones specifically? And can pneumonia be contracted from someone? Answers to these and other questions can be found below:
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Visit with a self-selected specialist at a convenient time for you
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As you already know, children belong to that group of people who are most frequently affected by asymptomatic pneumonia. This is due to the fact that toddlers do not yet have a fully developed immune system, so their bodies do not have the defence mechanisms to effectively protect itself against the disease. As in adults, asymptomatic pneumonia in children often resembles a common cold or other seasonal infection, and is therefore usually underestimated - both by their carers and by doctors themselves. Remember that you must not lose vigilance and should react as soon as possible as soon as something worrying starts to happen with your child's health. And we are not only talking about fever or persistent cough but also symptoms such as:
- lack of appetite
- weakness
- nausea
- apathy.
If you would like to avoid a visit to the clinic and save your little one unnecessary stress, schedule a consultation with our pediatric pulmonologist online. You can be assured that a Med24 specialist will do everything possible to relieve him and protect him from serious health consequences. Your child's condition is getting worse by the hour? So don't delay and get a consultation with a pediatrician express, in just 15 minutes and at any time of the day or night - even on a public holiday. Know that during the service, the doctor on duty can not only refer the young patient for tests and prescribe medicines, but also issue you with an online L4 for your child so that you can care for him or her.
Babies with low birth weight, preterm infants and toddlers struggling with nutritional disorders, immune deficiencies or cardiovascular defects are particularly vulnerable to asymptomatic pneumonia.
How is asymptomatic pneumonia being cured? It all depends on its cause and the accompanying symptoms. In one case it may be necessary to implement antibiotics, in another antifungal or antiviral agents. Sometimes it is also necessary to take painkillers and antipyretics. Remember, however, that pharmacotherapy alone is not enough - with all this, rest and fluid replenishment are also extremely important. And be sure to give up cigarettes if you happen to smoke them.
Bibliography:
Doboszyńska, A., Atypowe zapalenia płuc. Medycyna po Dyplomie, 10/2009.
https://wylecz.to/uklad-oddechowy/jakie-sa-domowe-sposoby-na-suchy-kaszel-jakie-leki-syrop-i-ziola/
https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/pulmonologia/choroby/65040,zapalenie-pluc
https://www.healthline.com/health/atypical-pneumonia
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317957
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