What is Viral Pneumonia?

Viral Pneumonia is an inflammation, which is an irritation and swelling of the lungs caused by infection with a virus.

Causes

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung. Pneumonia affects 1 out of 100 people annually. Viral pneumonia is caused by one of several viruses, which includes influenza, para influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, respiratory syncytial virus, hantavirus, and cytomegalovirus.

Most cases of viral pneumonia are mild and improve without treatment, but some cases are more serious and require hospitalization. People at risk for more serious viral pneumonia typically have impaired immune systems such as people with HIV, transplant patients, young children that have heart defects, elderly people, and those taking medications to suppress their immune systems in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Symptoms

• Cough
• Headache
• Muscular stiffness and aching
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Chills
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Sore throat

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Clammy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Joint stiffness

Exams and Tests

• Sputum culture
• Blood tests for antibodies to specific viruses
• Chest x-ray
• Bronchoscopy
• Open lung biopsy, which is only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources

Treatment

Antibiotics are not effective in treating ViralPneumonia. Some of the more serious forms can be treated with antiviral medications. Other supportive care for viral pneumonia includes use of humidified air, increased fluids, and oxygen. Hospitalization can be necessary to prevent dehydration and to help the patient with breathing if the infection is serious.

Outlook . . . Prognosis

Most episodes of viral pneumonia improve without treatment within 1-3 weeks, but some episodes last longer and cause more serious symptoms requiring hospitalization.

Possible Complications

More serious infections can result in respiratory failure, liver failure and heart failure. Sometimes, bacterial infections occur during or just after viral pneumonia, which may lead to more serious forms of pneumonia, including lung disease.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your doctor or health care provider if symptoms of viral pneumonia develop.

Prevention

Vaccines are available for influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus for people at high risk of these forms of viral pneumonia. A more serious form of pneumonia is bacterial pneumonia, which is also treatable.