Viral Lung Infections
Viral lung infections include acute bronchitis, viral pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These viral lung infections usually begin as a respiratory virus that spreads to the lungs. If you have bronchitis you will usually have chest pain and a cough. Fever and fatigue are common with bronchitis, as well as a cough that persists for weeks or months. Acute viral bronchitis cannot be treated with antibiotics, and you must wait the virus out for a bout a week. Some people use an inhaler to ease their discomfort. Viral pneumonia can be an extremely uncomfortable illness, with a host of symptoms including coughing, fatigue, fever, aches and pains, and GI symptoms. While antibiotics are not indicated for pneumonia, some antiviral medications can help. Infants can develop both bronchiolitis and RSV at a young age, causing coughing and wheezing. If your young infant shows serious symptoms of cough, fever, and trouble breathing, contact your doctor immediately.
Recently Answered
- Q Should I tell my child's school about viral lung infections?
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You shouldn't just tell your child's school about viral lung infections - your child shouldn't be going to school if your child is feeling ill or has been diagnosed with the disease. Viral lung infections can be easily spread to other people. For this... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about viral lung infection symptoms?
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In most cases, people with viral lung infections will get better on their own after a few days. However, there are some situations in which you should definitely talk to your doctor. For instance, people who have trouble breathing, individuals with other... Full Answer
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- Q Should I be worried about viral lung infections?
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If you have trouble breathing, you should be worried. Get to a hospital right away in order to take supplementary oxygen and be evaluated by a doctor. Although viral lung infections are not usually serious, having trouble breathing is a problem that you... Full Answer
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- Q Is viral lung infection treatment costly?
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In most cases, viral lung infection treatment is not costly. Actually, many people do not need to be treated for a viral lung infection - they can simply wait for the infection to heal on its own. However, some people will need tests (like X-rays and... Full Answer
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- Q How is viral lung infection diagnosed?
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In most cases, people with viral lung infections will receive a diagnosis based on their symptoms. However, doctors sometimes order X-rays and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, doctors will usually look at your blood under a microscope... Full Answer
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- Q How does viral lung infection affect other conditions?
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If you have other conditions and you get a viral lung infection, you could end up facing some serious complications. People who have immunodeficiency problems, like HIV or AIDS, can have difficulty recovering from a viral lung infection because they do... Full Answer
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- Q How does a viral lung infection affect the body?
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Viruses, or germs that take over healthy cells for reproduction purposes, cause viral lung infections. First, a lung infection virus enters your body through some opening, like a hole in your skin or the eyes or mouth. Next, the virus will penetrate your... Full Answer
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- Q Can viral lung infections have any complications?
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If you're already sick from another disorder, the complications of viral lung infections can be enough to cause death. Lung infections like bronciolitis and respiratory synctial virus are two examples of diseases that can cause serious complications,... Full Answer
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- Q Can antibiotics treat viral lung infections?
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People with viral lung infections are not given antibiotics as a course of treatment because these drugs cannot treat viral infections. Instead, people with the disease may be given antiviral medications. However, these medicines are generally given... Full Answer
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- Q Are viral lung infections serious?
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In most cases, viral lung infections get better on their own. Although they can be uncomfortable to deal with, they generally are not serious. However, viral lung infections can become serious in some circumstances. For instance, people with other... Full Answer
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