Viral Pneumonia
Evidently, viral pneumonia transpires when the body is affected by viruses. The latter are small-sized transmittable bacteria (Singh, 2014). The majority of the individuals that are active within the scientific community believe that viruses are non-living entities meaning that they only become active when they enter the human body (Singh, 2014). One of the premises connected to viruses that may lead to pneumonia is the fact that even a trivial cold or flu may trigger pneumonia. It was found that adenovirus is also a major contributor to the advent of pneumonia and the common cold (Singh, 2014). A respiratory syncytial virus is also inextricably linked to pneumonia even though it only causes several cold-like symptoms. Influenza/ parainfluenza viruses also can lead to pneumonia. It is also found that viruses can cause pneumonia either directly or indirectly (Singh, 2014).
Bacterial Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a rather prevalent disease due to the fact that bacteria cause as many cases of pneumonia as viruses do. It is even more interesting because viruses can contribute to the development of bacterial pneumonia (Wright, 2013). This connection can be explained by the breaches in the human immune system that are made by viruses. The human organism becomes exposed to the disease, and a bacterial infection is also experienced.
The problem with bacterial infection stems from the fact that it takes advantage of the individual’s weak body. Similar to viral pneumonia, there are numerous bacteria that may cause pneumonia. One of the most prevalent causes of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae (Wright, 2013). The individuals that suffer from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may also be exposed to the bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae. Staphylococcus aureus is popular among drug abusers. It is important to remember that certain types of bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
Respiratory Case Study
Within the case study that is being reviewed, the 8-year-old girl should only take daily anti-inflammatory medications as her asthma case is not grave. If we classify the patient’s condition in the key three zones (stoplight scheme: green – ideal control, yellow – caution, red – the need to contact a doctor), we will find the girl in the green zone because her asthma is new and have not developed into a more serious disease. The written action plan for the girl will be an efficient instrument because it will decrease the number of future hospitalizations and unscheduled hospital visits.
As the girl is older than six years, she can make the best use of inhalation techniques that are used by adult patients with asthma. The holding chamber that is used in these techniques positively influences the delivery of medication to the lungs and lessens the oropharyngeal deposition of the medicine. Within the framework of the current study, the girl may also be exposed to a mild treatment based on anti-inflammatory medicines (first-line treatment). This will help the doctor to prevent lung damage and minimize the chances of common asthma turning into its severe counterpart.
At the current stage of the disease, bronchodilators can be considered the most suitable medication that can be prescribed. It is also important to mention that at the current stage of asthma, the girl does not need to take any daily medications that may impact her health. In case if the treatment is necessary, the doctor may use low dosages of corticosteroid delivered by either an inhaler or nebulizer. The existing data hints at the fact that severe persistent medications are not needed, but patient education is essential.
References
Singh, S. K. (2014). Human respiratory viral infections. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Wright, W. F. (Ed.). (2013). Essentials of clinical infectious diseases. New York, NY: Demos Medical Publishing.