Increased immunity against the background of asthma and pneumonia. Maintaining immunity during pneumonia

Date of: 19.10.2023

The importance of breathing for a person cannot be overestimated. We may not eat or sleep for days, remain without water for some time, but a person can only remain without air for a few minutes. We breathe without thinking about how we breathe. Meanwhile, our breathing depends on many factors: the state of the environment, any adverse external influences or any damage.

Respiration is a continuous biological process that results in gas exchange between the body and the external environment. The cells of the body need constant energy, the source of which is the products of oxidation processes and the breakdown of organic compounds. Oxygen is involved in all these processes, and the body's cells constantly need its supply. From the air around us, oxygen can penetrate the body through the skin, but only in small quantities, completely insufficient to support life. Its main intake into the body is provided by the respiratory system. The respiratory system also removes carbon dioxide, a product of respiration. Transport of gases and other substances necessary for the body is carried out using the circulatory system. The function of the respiratory system is simply to supply the blood with sufficient oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from it.

The human respiratory system consists of tissues and organs that provide pulmonary ventilation and pulmonary respiration. The main elements in the structure of the system can be identified-airways both lungs and auxiliary-elements of the musculoskeletal system. The airways include: nose, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. The lungs consist of bronchioles and alveolar sacs, as well as arteries, capillaries and veins of the pulmonary circulation. Elements of the musculoskeletal system associated with breathing include the ribs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, and accessory respiratory muscles.

The most common inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system in medical practice are inflammation of the bronchi.-bronchitis, bronchial asthma and pneumonia- pneumonia.

Bronchitis

There are acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually develops together with other signs of acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract; the inflammation seems to descend down from the upper respiratory tract to the bronchi. The main symptom of acute bronchitis-cough; at first dry, then with a small amount of sputum. During the examination, the doctor detects scattered dry wheezing on both sides.

Chronical bronchitis-This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchi. It flows for months and years, periodically, it intensifies, then subsides. Currently, the importance of three risk factors for chronic bronchitis is recognized beyond doubt: smoking, pollutants (increased content of dust and gases in the inhaled air) and congenital deficiency of a special protein alpha-1-antitrypsin. Infectious factor-viruses and bacteria cause exacerbation of the disease. Main signs of chronic bronchitis-cough, sputum production, frequent colds.

Examination of patients with chronic bronchitis includes chest x-ray and respiratory function testing using modern computerized devices. X-ray examination is necessary mainly to exclude other diseases of the respiratory system-pneumonia, tumors. When studying pulmonary function, signs of bronchial obstruction are revealed, and the severity of these disorders is established.

Chronic bronchitis with a long course naturally leads to the development of serious complications-emphysema, respiratory failure, peculiar heart damage, bronchial asthma.

Treatment of bronchitis

The most important condition for successful treatment of patients with chronic bronchitis is smoking cessation. It’s never too late to do this, but it’s better to do it earlier, before complications of chronic bronchitis develop. During an exacerbation of the inflammatory process in the bronchi, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents are prescribed. Bronchodilators and expectorants are also prescribed. During the period of subsidence of the process, sanatorium-resort treatment, massage, and physical therapy are especially effective.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma-a chronic disease manifested by periodic attacks of severe difficulty breathing (choking). Modern science considers asthma as a kind of inflammatory process that leads to bronchial obstruction-narrowing of their lumen due to a number of mechanisms:

spasm of small bronchi;
swelling of the bronchial mucosa;
increased secretion of fluid by the bronchial glands;
increased viscosity of sputum in the bronchi.

Two factors are of great importance for the development of asthma:

1) the patient has allergies-excessive, perverted reaction of the body’s immune system to the entry of foreign antigen proteins into the body;

2) bronchial hyperreactivity, i.e. their increased reaction to any irritants in the form of narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi-proteins, medications, strong odors, cold air.

Both of these factors are due to hereditary mechanisms.

An attack of bronchial asthma has typical symptoms. It begins suddenly or with the appearance of a dry, painful cough, sometimes preceded by a sensation of tickling in the nose, behind the sternum. Choking quickly develops, the patient takes a short breath and then exhales for a long time almost without a pause (exhalation is difficult). During exhalation, dry wheezing sounds (wheezing) can be heard from a distance. The doctor listens for such wheezing when examining a patient. The attack ends on its own or, more often, under the influence of bronchodilators. Choking disappears, breathing becomes freer, phlegm begins to disappear. The number of dry wheezes in the lungs decreases, gradually they completely disappear.

Long-term and insufficiently treated asthma can cause serious complications. They can be divided into pulmonary and extrapulmonary, and they are often combined. Pulmonary complications include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic respiratory failure. Extrapulmonary complications-heart damage, chronic heart failure.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Treatment of bronchial asthma-a difficult task, it requires the active participation of patients, for whom special “schools” are created, where, under the guidance of doctors and nurses, patients are taught the correct lifestyle and the procedure for using medications.

Whenever possible, it is necessary to eliminate risk factors for the disease: allergens that cause attacks; stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, drugs for the treatment of pain, joint diseases); Sometimes a change of climate or a change of place of work helps.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia - This is an inflammatory process in the pulmonary alveoli, the smallest bronchi adjacent to them, and microvessels. Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria-pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci. More rare pathogens-Legionella, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Mycoplasma. Pneumonia can also be caused by viruses, but here, too, bacteria play a secondary role in inflammation.

Pneumonia more often occurs in people who have had a respiratory viral infection, smokers, alcohol abusers, the elderly and the elderly, against the background of chronic diseases of internal organs. Separately, pneumonia is identified that occurs in severe postoperative patients in hospitals.

According to the prevalence of the pneumonia process, it can be lobar and segmental, when the foci of inflammation are large, and small-focal with multiple small foci of inflammation. They differ in the severity of the symptoms, the severity of the course, and also on what pathogen led to pneumonia. X-ray examination of the lungs helps to accurately determine the extent of the process.

The onset of the disease in macrofocal pneumonia is acute. Chills, headaches, severe weakness, dry cough, chest pain when breathing, shortness of breath occur. The temperature rises significantly and remains at high levels, if the disease is not treated, for 7-8 days. When you cough, sputum streaked with blood first begins to come out. Gradually its quantity increases, it acquires a purulent character. When listening to the lungs, the doctor determines altered bronchial breathing. Blood tests reveal an increase in the number of leukocytes and an acceleration of ESR. X-ray reveals massive shading in the lungs, corresponding to a lobe or segment.

Focal pneumonia is characterized by a milder course. The onset of the disease can be acute or slower, gradual. Patients often indicate that before the first signs of the disease appeared, they suffered from an acute respiratory infection, a cough, and a short-term increase in temperature. There is a cough with mucopurulent sputum, there may be pain in the chest when breathing, shortness of breath. A blood test may show a moderate increase in the number of leukocytes and an acceleration of ESR. X-rays reveal larger or smaller foci of shading, but significantly smaller in size than with macrofocal pneumonia.

Treatment of pneumonia

In severe cases of pneumonia with high fever, severe cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, hospitalization is necessary. Usually, treatment begins with penicillin injections, and then, depending on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of treatment, antibacterial agents are changed. Painkillers are also given and oxygen is prescribed. Patients with milder forms of pneumonia can be treated at home; antibacterial agents are prescribed orally. In addition to antibacterial agents, chest massage and physical therapy have a good auxiliary effect, especially in the final stages of treatment. It is necessary to treat patients with pneumonia vigorously, achieving normalization of the blood picture and, most importantly, until the radiological signs of inflammation disappear.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract, characterized by the presence of inflammation. It is this inflammation that plays a key role in the manifestation of clinical signs of the disease; the frequency and duration of the phases of exacerbation and remission depend on its intensity.

The pathogenesis of bronchial asthma consists of immunological and non-immunological factors. The trigger for the development of bronchial hyperreactivity and obstruction is inflammation, which is influenced by various cellular elements (effector cells) and the chemicals they release (mediators). These cellular elements include:

mast cells;
T lymphocytes;
eosinophils;
neutrophils;
macrophages.

With prolonged exposure to an allergen on effector cells, a reaction occurs in the form of the release of mediators that cause immediate or delayed inflammation. Accordingly, bronchial inflammation can occur in two phases.

Early phase.
Under the influence of primary effector cells (mast cells) and their main mediators (histamines), a sharp bronchospasm occurs.
Late phase.
In this case, inflammation develops due to the activation of effector blood cells, which are normally not present in the bronchi. These are monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils. They release arachidonic acid metabolites (leukotrienes), which cause swelling and bronchial obstruction.

Under the influence of mediators of secondary effector cells, chronic inflammation of the bronchi occurs, and this determines the duration of bronchial asthma. Their effect on the respiratory tract can manifest itself:

bronchospasm;
narrowing of the bronchial lumens due to swelling of the mucous membrane;
increased vascular permeability;
hypersecretion of sputum;
damage to the bronchial epithelium.

Eosinophils and their mediators are also able to penetrate the tissues under the bronchial epithelium, damaging them and making them more accessible to allergens. Thus, an exacerbation of the disease will now occur under the condition of less prolonged and intense contact with the irritant (stimulation with a lower level will be needed for the response of the bronchial tree).

Phases of the asthmatic condition

Bronchial asthma is characterized by a wave-like course: the exacerbation phase is replaced by a remission phase. The duration of these phases may vary.

Outside the exacerbation phase, the disease may not make itself felt at all, or attacks of suffocation occur sporadically and can be stopped independently without difficulty. But achieving remission, especially persistent remission, in which bronchial asthma does not make itself felt for two years or more, is very difficult. To do this, you often have to completely rebuild your life. To prevent exacerbations from occurring, doctors recommend:

identify the causes of the disease;
Responsibly and in full undergo the prescribed treatment;
maintain a hypoallergenic lifestyle;
eliminate or significantly limit contact with allergens at work;
follow a diet;
choose an ecology favorable for living (if it is not possible to live outside a polluted city, then it is necessary to at least periodically travel outside its boundaries or undergo sanatorium treatment by the sea or in the mountains);
be physically active (go to the pool, wushu or yoga);
To avoid frequent colds, take measures to strengthen your immune system.

Asthma in the acute phase

Bronchial asthma during exacerbation is characterized by frequent and severe attacks of suffocation. These attacks have two main causes:

the actual presence of bronchial asthma;
the presence of factors causing exacerbation, so-called triggers (allergen, viral or bacterial infection, physical or psycho-emotional stress, etc.).

For an exacerbation of the disease to begin, these causes must be present in combination.

Choking during exacerbation of asthma occurs in three periods:

The period of harbingers.
It can start immediately before an attack of suffocation (in a matter of minutes) or long before it (several days or weeks). An “experienced” asthmatic is able to distinguish these warning signs and take preventive treatment in time. Usually, suffocation is preceded by:

rhinitis;
sneezing;
paroxysmal nonproductive cough;
increased shortness of breath.

This period is optional; sometimes asthmatic attacks occur suddenly, without any warning signs.

High period.
Expiratory suffocation occurs at any time of the day, but more often at night. Regardless of the cause, its signs are:

a feeling of tightness and constriction in the chest;
with a short and deep breath, the exhalation is slow, convulsive, difficult;
wheezing and whistling sounds heard at a distance when exhaling;
the forced position of the patient during an attack, which he takes in an attempt to alleviate his own serious condition;
cyanosis, pallor;
cold sweat;
increased heart rate (sometimes);
increase in temperature to subfebrile (sometimes);
increased blood pressure (sometimes);
anxiety and fear.

Sometimes asthmatic suffocation is accompanied by a cough with the release of scanty sputum.

Severe, prolonged exacerbation of asthma, in which prolonged attacks occur, resistant to standard relief methods, accompanied by acutely progressive respiratory failure, is called status asthmaticus.

Period of reverse development.
It lasts from a few seconds to several days. At this time, difficulty breathing, a feeling of weakness, loss of strength, drowsiness, and depression may persist.

How to treat worsened asthma?

Treatment of exacerbated bronchial asthma occurs in two stages: outpatient and inpatient.

Outside a pulmonology hospital, a patient with a mild to moderate exacerbation of asthma can be treated only if he is able to adequately assess his condition, is aware of self-help methods and knows how to apply them. He measures external respiration using a peak flow meter. It should be noted that this method of treatment has certain risks. In particular, there is a high likelihood of developing status asthmaticus and even death in certain categories of patients (for example, those who take oral steroid drugs, have mental illness, or do not comply with the treatment plan for bronchial asthma).

Outpatient treatment includes the use of:

Bronchodilators.

Treatment of bronchial asthma, if it is aggravated by frequent attacks of breathlessness, occurs with bronchodilators such as theophyllines, short-acting beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and hormonal (glucocorticosteroid) drugs.

Glucocorticosteroids, beta-agonists and anticholinergics are available in the form of pocket aerosol inhalers, which should always be on hand for an asthmatic. An example of such a drug is Berotec.

Ventolin or Salbutomol can be breathed through a nebulizer. This device is a must have in the home of an asthmatic.

And theophyllines (Euphylline, Neophylline) are used internally.

Anti-inflammatory drugs.

These are glucocorticosteroids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, others) that relieve bronchial inflammation, that is, they directly treat asthma during an exacerbation.

Many patients with bronchial asthma are afraid to take hormonal medications due to the risk of adverse reactions. But endocrine, cardiovascular and orthopedic diseases can occur with long-term use of hormones in the form of tablets or injections. Inhaled by inhalation, they act directly on the bronchial tree; adverse reactions occur extremely rarely.

If treatment with glucocorticosteroids is ignored by the patient, this can lead to a worsening of his condition.

Control drugs.

These include long-acting beta-agonists, which keep the bronchial lumens dilated.

If a patient has a cough after asthmatic attacks, mucolytic drugs (ACC, Bronholitin, Mucaltin and others) will help him ease the expectoration of sputum.

Severe exacerbation of asthma is treated in a hospital.

An asthma exacerbation should not be ignored, even if it is mild. In addition to a significant deterioration in the patient’s condition during this period, complications such as respiratory failure, the development of status asthmaticus, emphysema, cor pulmonale, and the occurrence of pneumothorax are possible.

Video: School of Health. Bronchial asthma

Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia. Harmful bacteria and viruses, along with the inhaled air, penetrate the lungs and infect the smallest branches of the bronchial tree.

What causes bronchopneumonia

Bronchial pneumonia can be caused by many viruses and bacteria. In most cases, inflammation is a consequence of an upper respiratory tract infection. For example, bronchitis or ARVI can lead to the development of the disease. The most common pathogens are bacteria such as streptococcus, pneumococcus, and many viruses.

Pneumonia can also be a consequence of food entering the respiratory tract, compression of the lungs by a tumor, inhalation of toxic gases, or a postoperative complication.

Who is at risk of getting sick

Absolutely anyone can get pneumonia. But there are groups of people who are especially vulnerable to this disease.

High-risk groups include:

Newborns and children under 3 years of age;
Children with congenital diseases of the respiratory system;
Children with congenital or hereditary defects of the immune system (immunodeficiencies);
Elderly over 65 years of age;
People who already have lung diseases (such as asthma and bronchitis);
HIV-infected;
Suffering from heart disease and diabetes;
Smokers.

What are the signs of damage

The main signs of the disease are:

Pneumonia (lung inflammation)

Concept pneumonia unites a whole group of diseases that manifest themselves as an inflammatory process in the lungs. This process is caused by microbes (pneumococci, staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella and others), viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, adenoviruses), fungi, and protozoa. It is also possible to develop inflammation when inhaling vapors of toxic substances, gases and other dangerous chemical compounds.

Most often, the development of pneumonia is associated with a weakening of the body's defenses. This may be due to hypothermia. viral disease, taking medications that reduce immunity.

The following are at greater risk of contracting pneumonia:

aged people;
people with concomitant diseases: chronic lung diseases, diabetes. parkinsonism. alcoholism. cardiovascular diseases, etc.;
patients who have recently undergone surgery;
people with congenital disorders of the bronchopulmonary system, weakened immunity.

Medicine now has excellent diagnostic methods and a powerful arsenal of antibiotics, but despite this, the mortality rate for pneumonia reaches 1-9%, which makes it the fourth leading cause of death after cardiovascular and oncological diseases and injuries with poisoning. Such a high percentage is mainly due to late seeking medical help and the development of pneumonia against the background of other serious illnesses.

Symptoms and signs of pneumonia

The diagnosis of “pneumonia”, as many years ago, is made by a therapist or pulmonologist. who patiently taps and listens to the lungs. A chest x-ray is mandatory. An additional bronchoscopy may be required. Wheezing heard in the lungs and a characteristic darkening on the x-ray are reliable signs of pneumonia.

The most characteristic signs of pneumonia:

Pneumonia - symptoms, treatment with folk and traditional methods

Pneumonia– acute inflammation of the lung tissue, caused in most cases by various microorganisms. Only in some cases is the disease caused by other causes (for example, congestive pneumonia may occur with prolonged bed rest).

Most often, infection occurs by airborne droplets. when, upon contact with a sick person (coughing, sneezing, talking), pathogenic microflora is inhaled. A hematogenous route of infection is possible, when the pathogen enters the lungs through the bloodstream (for example, in sepsis and other infectious diseases). There is also an endogenous mechanism for the development of inflammation of the lung tissue, which is caused by the activation of microbes already present in the body. Factors contributing to the development of pneumonia are chronic lung diseases, nasopharynx, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, prolonged bed rest, decreased immunity, smoking, alcohol abuse, etc. Children and the elderly are also at risk.

Symptoms of pneumonia

Cough. The cough can be dry or with sputum (mucous, mucopurulent, bloody). “Rusty” sputum is characteristic of lobar pneumonia, bloody, viscous sputum is characteristic of pneumonia caused by Friedlander’s bacillus, purulent, bloody sputum is produced in streptococcal pneumonia. If the sputum acquires a putrid odor, this may indicate suppuration of the inflammatory focus.

Hemoptysis- one of the symptoms of pneumonia caused by fungi, a combination of hemoptysis and pain in the side - a sign of pulmonary infarction.

Chest pain. Pain in the chest area with pneumonia can be superficial or deep. Superficial pain is a consequence of inflammation of the intercostal muscles, they usually intensify with deep inspiration.

Deep pains associated with damage or stretching of the membrane of the lung (pleura) and its inflammation. They are usually very intense and worsen with deep breathing and coughing.

Marina Gerasimova, Male, 10 years old

Risk of developing asthma after pneumonia

Hello. Consult me please. My son is 10 years old. From November 15 to November 25, he was admitted to hospital for treatment with a diagnosis of acute bilateral bronchopneumonia, moderate, uncomplicated. Day 0. He was treated for 10 days (cefosine 1.0 - 2 times/day, inhalations with ambrobene, ecoclave 500 mg - 2 times/day). From November 26 to December 9, he was treated in the pulmonology department with a diagnosis of convalescent bilateral bronchopneumonia, hypertrophic gastritis (exacerbation ). The following studies were carried out: blood ifa: ascariasis - negative. Chlamydia - negative H. Pylori - neg. General ig e 4.3 me/ml spirography: test with bronchodilator negative peak fluometry: 11/27/15 Morning 250 evening 330 11/28/15 Morning 330 evening 250 11/29/15 Morning 300 evening 300 ultrasound obp: deformation of the gallbladder FGDS: hypertrophic gastritis, exacerbation of log : allergic rhinitis treatment: inhalation therapy with clenil, berodual; beclazone through a spacer, loratadine, nasobek spray, intravenous drops of aminophylline, prednisone; chest massage, abroxol, ampicillin. He was discharged with the following prescriptions and recommendations: 1. Hypoallergenic lifestyle and diet. 2. Cetirizine 0.01, 1 tablet. 1 time/day 3. Beclazone 100 mcg through a spacer, 2 doses 4 times a day and gradually reduce the dose (schedule) 4. Nasonex 1 dose 2 times a day - 2 months 5. Viferolone gel in the nose 4 times a day 6 .Bronchomunal r according to the scheme, the drug beclazone through a spacer really scares me, will there be an addiction to it? And will my son be able to breathe normally without it after gradual withdrawal? The doctor said that if we don’t take this drug now, my son will develop asthma. This is very scary. The boy was rarely sick. Not even once in 10 years did I have bronchitis. And everything is so serious here now. I'm very worried. Maybe you can recommend something else, maybe some additional research should be done? Now he is coughing, a dry cough.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease manifested by periodic attacks of severe difficulty breathing (suffocation). Modern science considers asthma as a kind of inflammatory process that leads to bronchial obstruction - narrowing of their lumen due to a number of mechanisms:

· spasm of small bronchi;

· swelling of the bronchial mucosa;

· increased secretion of fluid by the bronchial glands;

· increased viscosity of sputum in the bronchi.

For the development of asthma, two factors are of great importance: 1) the patient has an allergy - an excessive, perverted reaction of the body’s immune system to the entry of foreign protein-antigens into the body; 2) hyperreactivity of the bronchi, i.e. their increased reaction to any irritants in the form of narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi - proteins, medications, strong odors, cold air. Both of these factors are due to hereditary mechanisms.

Treatment of bronchial asthma is a difficult task; it requires the active participation of patients, for whom special “schools” are created, where, under the guidance of doctors and nurses, patients are taught the correct lifestyle and the procedure for using medications.

Pneumonia - pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory process in the pulmonary alveoli, the smallest bronchi and microvessels adjacent to them. Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria - pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci. More rare pathogens are Legionella, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Mycoplasma. Pneumonia can also be caused by viruses, but here, too, bacteria play a secondary role in inflammation.

Severe forms of pneumonia with high fever, severe cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain are best treated in a hospital; treatment is usually started with penicillin injections, and then, depending on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of treatment, antibacterial agents are changed. Painkillers are also given and oxygen is prescribed. Patients with milder forms of pneumonia can be treated at home; antibacterial agents are prescribed orally. In addition to antibacterial agents, chest massage and physical therapy have a good auxiliary effect, especially in the final stages of treatment. It is necessary to treat patients with pneumonia vigorously, achieving normalization of the blood picture and, most importantly, until the radiological signs of inflammation disappear.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by the tuberculosis bacillus (Koch's bacillus - named after the famous German scientist Koch, who discovered the causative agent of tuberculosis). Infection with tuberculosis occurs through the air into which Koch bacilli enter during coughing and sputum production by patients with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis microbes are very resistant to environmental factors, so the possibility of infection with them persists for a long time. Tuberculosis occurs more often in countries with poor social conditions, when people have insufficient nutrition, and it often affects prisoners in prisons and AIDS patients. In recent years, a big problem has become the high resistance of tuberculosis bacteria to those drugs that were very effective in treating tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis most often affects the lungs, but other organs can also suffer from this disease - bones, kidneys, urinary system.

The disease begins slowly, gradually. Unmotivated weakness, low-grade fever, and a slight cough with a minimal amount of sputum appear. As a result of the breakdown of lung tissue, cavities (cavities) are formed. There is more sputum, it has no odor, and there may be hemoptysis. Cavities are identified using x-ray examination. Another form of pulmonary tuberculosis is damage to the pleura with the accumulation of inflammatory fluid - exudate - in its cavity. Most of all, patients are concerned about shortness of breath due to compression of the lungs by fluid.

In most patients, suspicion of tuberculosis arises after an X-ray examination of the lungs. The decisive diagnostic methods are the detection of the causative agent of tuberculosis in sputum, bronchial lavage water or lung tissue taken during examination of the bronchi with a special optical device, a bronchoscope.

Treatment of tuberculosis is complex and long-term. Complexity lies in the combination of treatment regimen, diet and drug treatment. Long-term treatment is due to the slow reproduction of tuberculosis bacilli and their ability to remain in an inactive state for a long time. Prevention of tuberculosis consists of vaccinating children, which develops in them stable immunity to the disease. For adults, the main measure is regular preventive X-ray examination of the lungs.

The most important component of the treatment of pneumonia are measures aimed at maintaining the functions of the immune system.

General principles of treatment of pneumonia

Pneumonia (or pneumonia) is a dangerous and unpredictable disease that is an inflammation of the lung tissue.

The most common cause of pneumonia is a bacterial infection. Pneumonia can be caused by the action of pneumococci, staphylococci, Haemophilus influenzae, streptococci, mycoplasma and other pathogenic microorganisms. Pneumonia can also occur due to viral or fungal infection of the lungs.

The basis of treatment for pneumonia, as a rule, is antibiotic therapy, which is carried out for 7-14 days, depending on the course of the disease and the nature of the pathogenic agent. Pneumonia is always accompanied by severe intoxication of the body, which requires appropriate therapy using drugs that help eliminate toxic substances. In addition, for pneumonia, taking antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and expectorant drugs may be indicated.

Pneumonia and immunity

Why is a weak immune system dangerous?

Pneumonia often develops against a background of weakened immunity, when the body is not able to effectively resist microorganisms. In this case, pathogenic pathogens (most often pneumococci and staphylococci) penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, provoking the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs. As a rule, with a weakened immune system, pneumonia is severe and long-lasting, which requires a lot of effort from the patient and doctors. Antibiotics also add fuel to the fire. Unfortunately, if pneumonia is bacterial in nature (which is often the case), then it is impossible to do without antibiotics, such as flemoxin and others. It is known that these drugs have many side effects, but they also bring enormous benefits. Taking antibiotics can lead to changes in the composition of the normal intestinal microflora, suppress the immune system, and also negatively affect the condition of the liver, which generally reduces the body's resistance. In this regard, it is very important to carry out immunomodulatory and immunostimulating therapy in parallel with the main treatment of pneumonia. This will avoid severe complications of pneumonia, as well as achieve a speedy recovery of the patient.

Folk remedies and vitamins

In addition to drug treatment of pneumonia, you can use herbal infusions, the effect of which is aimed at strengthening the immune system and increasing the body's resistance to infections.

Medicinal plants such as rose hips, lingonberry and black currant leaves, raspberries, mint, thyme and others have good immunomodulatory properties. To increase immunity, it is also useful to take one teaspoon of a mixture of propolis and butter before meals. At the recovery stage, you can carry out inhalations with decoctions of birch buds, eucalyptus, chamomile and other medicinal herbs.

As is known, for the normal functioning of the immune system, a sufficient intake of vitamins and microelements into the body is necessary, mainly vitamin C, E, A, B vitamins, as well as zinc, calcium, iron and other biologically active substances. For these purposes, the doctor may prescribe special vitamin and mineral complexes to the patient.

Immunomodulators for pneumonia

One of the most highly effective ways to strengthen the immune system is to take immunomodulators - special agents that have a regulating effect on the immune system. Currently, the pharmaceutical market offers a large number of both synthetic and natural (natural) immunomodulators. Among all the variety of drugs, it can sometimes be difficult to make the right choice. Doctors recommend giving preference to natural remedies, since they lead to almost no side effects and have a gentle effect on the body. One of these means is Esberitox. This is a natural German drug, the active ingredients of which are extracts of medicinal plants. Esberitox increases the body's defenses, which contributes to a speedy recovery of the patient not only with pneumonia, but also with other infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.

Part Esberitox includes the following components:

Extract of Echinacea purpurea roots and Echinacea pallida roots - increases the phagocytic activity of immune cells, and also activates nonspecific immunity;

Baptisia tinctalis rhizome extract - promotes the rapid development of the immune response and stimulates the production of B-lymphocytes;

Extract of young shoots and leaves of thuja - has a pronounced antiviral effect.

Esberitox can be given to children from 4 years old. The drug does not contain any flavoring additives, preservatives or dyes. Safety Esberitox confirmed by numerous clinical studies.