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Viral pneumonia

**{{{Name|Viral pneumonia}}}**
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ICD-10	J12
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Viral pneumonia is an inflammationof the lungcaused by a virus. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumoniain children.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Features
2 Diagnosis
3 Pathophysiology
4 Aetiology
5 Treatment
6 See also

Features

Symptomsof viral pneumonia include fever, non-productive cough, rhinitisand systemic symptoms (e.g. myalgia, headache). Different viruses cause different symptoms.

Diagnosis

Findings at physical examinationare similar to those of bacterial pneumonia. The diagnosis can be confirmed by isolation and identification of the pathogen through viral culture. Chest X-rayfindings are usually nonspecific.

Pathophysiology

Viruses must invade cells in order to reproduce. Typically, a virus will reach the lungs by traveling in droplets through the mouthand nosewith inhalation. There, the virus invades the cells lining the airways and the alveoli. This invasion often leads cell death either through direct killing by the virus or by self-destruction through apoptosis. Further damage to the lungs occurs when the immune system responds to the infection. White blood cells, in particular lymphocytes, are responsible for activating a variety of chemicals (cytokines) which cause leaking of fluid into the alveoli. The combination of cellular destruction and fluid-filled alveoli interrupts the transportation of oxygen into the bloodstream. In addition to the effects on the lungs, many viruses affect other organsand can lead to illness affecting many different bodily functions. Viruses also make the body more susceptible to bacterial infection; for this reason, bacterial pneumonia often complicates viral pneumonia.

Aetiology

The more common involved virusesinclude:

Influenza virus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Adenoviruses
varicella-zoster virus direct pneumonia is rare, but well recognosied is a Staphylococcal secondary infection in cases of chicken pox
herpes simplex virus (rare)

Treatment

In cases of viral pneumonia where influenza A or B are thought to be causative agents, patients who are seen within 48 hours of symptom onset may be treated with oseltamiviror zanamivir. There is no known efficacious treatment for pneumonia caused by SARS coronavirus, adenovirus, hantavirus, or parainfluenzavirus; treatment is largely supportive.