Bilateral pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection characterized by the involvement of both lungs by microorganisms, leading to decreased respiratory capacity and, due to the lack of oxygen in the blood and, consequently, in the brain, there may be changes in the person's level of consciousness.
This type of pneumonia is more frequent in people with weakened immune systems, such as babies and the elderly. The causes of bilateral pneumonia are the same as common pneumonia, however its most severe symptoms are usually the treatment performed in a hospital, so that the person can be monitored and receive oxygen, in addition to reducing the occurrence of complications, such as generalized infection, respiratory arrest or pleural effusion. Understand what pleural effusion is and how it happens.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of bilateral pneumonia are mainly related to the person's breathing capacity, which can be quite compromised. The main symptoms of bilateral pneumonia are:
- Fever higher than 38ºC; Cough with a lot of phlegm; Great difficulty in breathing; Increased respiratory rate; Easy and intense tiredness.
When the person has other symptoms related to the lack of oxygen, such as slightly bluish lips or altered levels of consciousness, it is very important to inform the pulmonologist so that the treatment can be done as soon as possible, especially with the use of oxygen masks. Learn more about the symptoms of pneumonia.
How the treatment is done
The location of treatment for bilateral pneumonia is one of the main decisions to be made by the doctor, being defined through a system that classifies patients according to the symptoms described and the results of the exams. Patients classified as low risk are usually treated at home, using antibiotics, such as Levofloxacin or Clarithromycin, for example, with the time of use defined by the doctor.
In addition, it is important that the person remains at rest during treatment, drink plenty of fluids, spray with drinking water and avoid public or heavily polluted spaces, in addition to wearing protective masks whenever necessary.
In the case of patients classified as severe, especially when the patient is elderly or has impaired renal function, blood pressure and great difficulty in performing gas exchanges, treatment is done in a hospital environment. Treatment at the hospital usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks, and may vary according to the patient's response to therapy, and is usually done by administering oxygen and antibiotics. After discharge, antibiotic treatment should be continued for at least 1 week or according to the pulmonologist's recommendation.
