How does Covid-19 differ from viral and bacterial pneumonia?

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

The whole world is fighting the SARS CoV-2 virus pandemic. At the same time, there is the flu season, during which people also often experience pneumonia. How does Covid-19 differ from viral and bacterial pneumonia? What should alert you?

How does pneumonia proceed?

Pneumonia can be triggered by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that affects one or both lungs. As a result of infection, the lungs become inflamed and fluid or pus builds up in the tissues, making it difficult to breathe. The accumulation of fluid in the lungs results in an abscess. When the lungs are unable to deliver oxygen to the blood and expel carbon dioxide, respiratory failure may even develop. Consequently, pneumonia requires immediate medical attention, especially in people over 65.

Experts identify several types of pneumonia. The main ones are community-acquired and nosocomial. The first type is more often provoked by influenza, pneumococcus, or the HRSV virus. The latter type can develop after a hospital stay, long-term care facility, or dialysis center. On the other hand, ventilator-related pneumonia can occur after treatment with a respirator, a device that supports breathing.

Typical symptoms of pneumonia include:

• shortness of breath;
• cardiopalmus;
• chest pain;
• feeling sleepy;
• persistent cough;
• weakness;
• sweating;
• temperature.

Treatment for pneumonia is to treat the infection and prevent complications. Treatment is tailored to the type of pneumonia as well as the age and general health of the patient. Antibiotics, antipyretics, pain relievers, and various cough suppressants are often sufficient.

Characteristics of SARS CoV-2 coronavirus infection

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the recently discovered SARS-CoV-2 virus. The World Health Organization reports that most people infected develop mild to moderate respiratory symptoms that go away without the need for special treatment.

However, older adults and people with other health problems such as cardiovascular, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions are more likely to develop severe symptoms and complications.

The virus spreads mainly through airborne droplets - through saliva, nasal discharge, when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks. The best way to prevent and slow the spread of the virus is through frequent hand washing, using masks in public, and isolating infected people. Symptoms of a virus infection appear within 4-14 days.

Some people infected with SARS-CoV-2 may develop complications. This happens when the immune system fills the bloodstream with inflammatory proteins called cytokines. They can attack tissues and damage the lungs, heart and kidneys.

Hence, you can suffer from acute respiratory failure as a result of COVID-19, as well as bacterial or viral pneumonia. The increase in the number of cases of pneumonia was the first sign of the emergence of a new coronavirus in China.

Pneumonia and coronavirus - clinical differences

How does Covid-19 differ from viral and bacterial pneumonia? A study by Chinese scientists comparing the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia and community-acquired pneumonia revealed some interesting findings. It turned out that patients with coronavirus pneumonia had lower levels of laboratory parameters, such as: the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes, the level of procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the level of C-reactive protein.

These patients experienced more severe respiratory distress syndrome, which led to a higher rate of hospital admissions to intensive care units and a greater need for mechanical ventilation. The researchers also analyzed the 30-day mortality rate, which was more than twice as high in patients with pneumonia caused by coronavirus infection.

Pneumonia in COVID-19 can be different from similar diseases caused by other pathogens and is often more severe. Doctors noted that in many cases, even after recovering from COVID-19, the lungs have irreversible changes and survivors continue to experience difficulty breathing. It can take months for a full recovery.

Coronavirus pneumonia is caused by damage to the lungs as a result of the immune system's response to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. As a result, the lung tissue is destroyed and becomes fibrous.

Coronavirus pneumonia usually affects both lungs. Possible symptoms of coronavirus infection include:

• chills;
• temperature increase;
• cough;
• overwork;
• muscle or body pain;
• headache;
• loss of taste or anosmia;
• sore throat.

Interesting! Is it possible to get infected with coronavirus from a person who has recovered

How to recognize bacterial pneumonia

A common symptom of bacterial pneumonia is a cough that causes shortness of breath. The patient has difficulty breathing. Inhalation is shortened and accompanied by wheezing, pain appears on the sides of the chest. These symptoms get worse when you try to take a deep breath or cough.

Moreover, as a result of coughing, the patient develops purulent yellow discharge. These symptoms come on suddenly or get worse gradually. In addition, the patient is accompanied by weakness and a feeling of loss of strength, headaches and muscle pains.

Bacterial pneumonia can be primary or secondary to a viral infection.

It is usually triggered by streptococci and much less commonly by other bacteria such as staphylococci. These infections most often appear in winter or early spring, but it often happens that bacteria attack an organism previously weakened by viruses.

Viral pneumonia

With viral pneumonia, the first symptoms are very similar to those of the flu. The patient is weakened, complains of malaise, general loss of strength, headaches and muscle pain. There may be a temperature. Then, if the lungs are affected, dry cough, shortness of breath and chest pain occur.

Viral pneumonia is more often than bacterial pneumonia manifested by wheezing breathing.

The difference from bacterial pneumonia is a gradual increase in symptoms, while with bacterial lung symptoms, symptoms of lung damage make themselves felt quickly and unexpectedly, usually after a person had been ill with the flu for a couple of days before. Bacterial pneumonia almost never appears on its own, and in most cases it is a complication that occurs after infection with a viral respiratory infection.

Outcomes

1. Pneumonia in coronavirus differs from a similar pathology of a bacterial and viral nature in a more complex course. It is much more likely to result in the need for oxygen therapy and admission to the ICU.
2. If, in a matter of days after the onset of pneumonia, and sometimes even earlier, distress syndrome joins, most likely it is covid pneumonia.
3. The symptoms of coronavirus pneumonia are similar to bacterial pneumonia, but unlike bacterial pneumonia, it does not respond to antibiotic therapy.