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Do Fever, Nausea And Severe Headaches With Cough Suggest Viral Pneumonia?
I was diagnosed with lower right lobe pneumonia four days ago via a lung x-ray. I was prescribed Zithromax, 250mg x 6. My symptoms have only worsened. My fever has hovered between 38 celsius and 39 celsius. I am also very nauseas and I have a cough with very little sputum, headaches and breathing difficulties. I am a 56 year old female. My doctor suspected a mild bronchitis before the x-ray confirmed pneumonia. My doctor told me if the antibiotics don t work, that it means I have viral pneumonia and no further testing can be done to identify my type of pneumonia.What is your opinion? Thank you. E. I understand that it is very important to identify the type of pneumonia present in order to properly prescribe treatment.
Tue, 15 Nov 2022
Hello,
As your symptoms didn't subside, it's most probably a viral pneumonia. Causes of viral Pneumonia are:
1) Influenza (flu) A and B viruses, the most common causes in adults
2) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is more common in infants and children than in adults
3) Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the new virus that causes COVID-19
4) Rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and adenoviruses, which can also cause pinkeye
The following are treatment recommendations for viral pneumonia:
1) Symptomatic treatment of fever with Acetaminophen
2) Adequate rest
3) Drinking plenty of fluids
4) For influenza virus, oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir are prescribed
5) For RSV, ribavirin is prescribed
6) Over the counter cough syrups can be taken. If the cough is productive, use mucolytics
Sometimes the pneumonia may be bacterial but doesn't respond to a single Antibiotic. In that case, antibiotic is to be changed to Amoxicillin or cefuroxime. Once consult your physician for prescription.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
As your symptoms didn't subside, it's most probably a viral pneumonia. Causes of viral Pneumonia are:
1) Influenza (flu) A and B viruses, the most common causes in adults
2) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is more common in infants and children than in adults
3) Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the new virus that causes COVID-19
4) Rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and adenoviruses, which can also cause pinkeye
The following are treatment recommendations for viral pneumonia:
1) Symptomatic treatment of fever with Acetaminophen
2) Adequate rest
3) Drinking plenty of fluids
4) For influenza virus, oseltamivir, zanamivir and peramivir are prescribed
5) For RSV, ribavirin is prescribed
6) Over the counter cough syrups can be taken. If the cough is productive, use mucolytics
Sometimes the pneumonia may be bacterial but doesn't respond to a single Antibiotic. In that case, antibiotic is to be changed to Amoxicillin or cefuroxime. Once consult your physician for prescription.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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