Pneumonia without fever

Pneumonia can be suspected by its characteristic symptoms - high body temperature combined with a severe cough. However, this is not always the case. In some cases, the temperature does not rise, but the person continues to cough. This can confuse the patient and he puts off visiting the doctor. As a result, valuable time is lost. When contacting the Yusupov Hospital, the patient is immediately prescribed an examination, thanks to which it is possible to accurately diagnose and begin treatment on time.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Pneumonia begins as a result of damage to the respiratory system by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Most often, pneumonia is bacterial in nature. Among the causative agents of pneumonia, the following main bacteria are distinguished:

Pneumococcus,
staphylococcus,
streptococcus,
mycoplasma.

Pneumonia can develop against the background of colds, flu, bronchitis; or begins as an independent disease. People with weak immune systems are most at risk for pneumonia. The disease is more common in childhood and old age. The presence of immunodeficiency states and chronic diseases contributes to the development of pneumonia. In smokers and people who abuse alcohol, the disease is more severe and complications are more likely to develop. This is also associated with a decrease in the body's protective functions due to the toxic effects of alcohol and tobacco.

Risk factors

Predisposing factors for the occurrence of inflammation in the lung tissue are:

chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
disturbances in the functioning of the immune system;
bad habits (primarily smoking);
malformations of the respiratory system;
sedentary lifestyle.

Severe cases of the disease occur especially often in older people over the age of 65. Pneumonia is also extremely dangerous in newborns and children of primary school age. It is these categories of patients that account for the vast majority of deaths.

Main symptoms

The clinical picture, which is most often observed in patients with pneumonia, includes the following components:

increase in body temperature above 38C,
severe cough with sputum production,
chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breath,
pale skin,
weakness,
drowsiness.

Some types of pneumonia cause joint pain, headaches, and red spots on the neck and face. During the examination of the patient, wheezing in the lungs is clearly audible during auscultation. Based on this factor, the doctor has grounds to prescribe additional examination methods, which include radiography.

Prevention

Preventive measures against pneumonia also greatly depend on the pathogen. Some types of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines. Typically, children undergo routine immunization against Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcus and whooping cough in the first months of life - this significantly reduces the burden of pneumonia in the pediatric population.

Flu vaccines are also recommended for all healthy children 6 months of age and older, but are especially important for children with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.

Premature babies are at higher risk of serious complications from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), so they may be given a special prophylactic drug.

Some groups of children may receive preventive courses against pneumonia. This primarily concerns people living with HIV infection, as they have a high risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia.

In many cases, the first thing patients notice when an illness occurs is an increase in body temperature. The symptoms described above are typical for pneumonia. However, in some cases, pneumonia develops without an increase in body temperature. This may be an individual reaction to an infectious irritant. In situations where there is no fever or cough, they speak of an atypical reaction and call pneumonia “asymptomatic.”

High temperature is the immune system's response to the inflammatory process. If it does not rise during the development of the disease, this may indicate a decrease in the protective properties of the body. Children and the elderly are at risk of developing pneumonia without fever or cough. In older people, immune activity is reduced, which is reflected in the imaginary ease of pneumonia. In children, a similar reaction to the inflammatory process occurs due to the immaturity of the immune system. Also at risk are cancer patients, patients who have been in bed for a long time, and HIV-infected people.

Workaholics who work without respite and often suffer from the disease “on their feet” are also susceptible to this course of the disease. Good nutrition and strong immunity help them cope with pathology, however, due to the replacement of inflamed lung tissue with connective tissue, respiratory failure may develop.

Weakening of the immune system can also occur as a result of the constant presence of a focus of infection, which is most often localized in the lymph nodes, tonsils and teeth. The causes of atypical pneumonia, which occurs without an increase in temperature, are microorganisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, pneumocystis, legionella.

Pneumonia without fever is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

weakness,
increased sweating,
dyspnea,
cough (dry or wet),
rapid breathing;
thirst;
difficulty breathing accompanied by whistling;
asymmetry of chest movement;
pain in the lower chest;
unhealthy blush on the cheeks.

Another reason for the development of pneumonia without fever is uncontrolled use of antibacterial drugs. The use of large quantities of antibiotics leads to a general deterioration in health. Antibiotics are addictive, which almost completely neutralizes their main function and reduces the therapeutic effect.

Pneumonia without fever is very dangerous because the patient does not suspect that he has a serious illness. He may feel a general malaise, but not attach much importance to it. As a result, the infection progresses and spreads to increasingly larger areas of the lungs. In this case, treatment of pneumonia becomes difficult and can lead to disastrous consequences.

Cough due to infection

Asymptomatic pneumonia may occur with or without a cough. Often pneumonia without fever, but with a cough, is a consequence of chronic bronchitis. Therefore, if you have a persistent cough, you should seek medical help for a more thorough examination.

There may also be no cough in asymptomatic pneumonia. This reaction is observed with the abuse of antitussive drugs. They suppress the cough reflex. Thus, phlegm accumulates in the lungs and does not come out, aggravating the condition.

List of scientific literature used:

Lai CC, Shih TP, Ko WC, Tang HJ, Hsueh PR Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): The epidemic and the challenges. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. March, 2020, 55 (3): 105924.
Marchello CS, Ebell MH, Dale AP, Harvill ET, Shen Y., Whalen CC Signs and Symptoms That Rule out Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Outpatient Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. April, 2021, 32 (2): 234–247.
Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, Anzueto A, Brozek J, Crothers K, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia. An Official Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. October, 2021, 200(7): e45–e67.
Pneumonia. Mayo Clinic Staff. Patient Care & Health Information. Mayo Clinic. Last reviewed: August, 2, 2021.
Who Is at Risk for Pneumonia? US Department of Health & Human Services. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Last reviewed: March 3, 2021.
Pneumonia. News bulletin. World Health Organization. July 25, 2021.
Chuchalin A.G., Sinopalnikov A.I., Kozlov R.S., Avdeev S.N., Tyurin I.E., Rudnov V.A., Rachina S.A., Fesenko O.V. Russian Respiratory Society (RRO). Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (IACMAC). Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of severe community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Pulmonology. 2014, (4): 13-48.

Diagnosis of the disease

To identify pneumonia without fever, the knowledge and extensive practical experience of the attending physician are necessary, since when listening to the lungs, the pathological process may not be detected. During the patient’s consultation, the doctor learns the complaints, examines the chest and pays attention to the symmetry of breathing. When listening to the lungs, wheezing occurs, and the inflamed areas of the lungs have a muffled sound when tapped.

To make a diagnosis, a general blood and urine test is prescribed (to identify the inflammatory process in the body), a bacteriological analysis of sputum (the presence of bacteria and viruses in the body is examined), and an x-ray. An x-ray will clearly show the inflammation in the lungs and its size.

If you suspect the development of such a disease, you should immediately consult a doctor. At the Yusupov Hospital, patients are provided with a full range of medical services, which includes reliable diagnostics. The Yusupov Hospital is equipped with all the necessary equipment for diagnosing pneumonia, which allows the disease to be detected quickly and accurately.

Diagnostic tests

When visiting a medical facility, an adult patient is referred to a therapist. During the examination, the doctor observes the symmetry of breathing, conducts auscultation, and evaluates complaints. The presumptive diagnosis is confirmed by separate laboratory diagnostic procedures:

clinical analysis of urine and blood;
bacteriological examination of sputum;
X-ray.

The images clearly show areas of the inflammatory process, and sampling of saliva makes it possible to identify the pathogen that has entered the body. Additional methods of diagnostic examination are prescribed by the therapist at his own discretion. The accuracy of the diagnosis depends on the competence of the doctor and the availability of the necessary equipment in the clinic.

Drugs for the treatment of pneumonia

It is important to remember that pneumonia cannot be treated on your own. This disease is too dangerous to be treated at home or to be carried on your feet. Treatment of pneumonia is carried out under the supervision of a general practitioner or pulmonologist in a hospital setting.

The main method of treating pneumonia without fever and cough is antibacterial therapy. The patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs for a course of 10-14 days. Most often, antibiotics are administered intramuscularly.

Additionally, expectorants are prescribed to thin and remove mucus from the lungs. Bronchodilators are used to eliminate shortness of breath. Inhalations have a good therapeutic effect. With the development of asymptomatic pneumonia, various warming of the chest, baths, saunas, and hot baths are strictly prohibited.

A patient with pneumonia should eat well, drink enough fluids, and take multivitamins. Some time after starting to take antibiotics, physiotherapeutic procedures are included: massages and therapeutic breathing exercises.

Get treatment at the Yusupov Hospital

Pneumonia without fever is a dangerous pathology that requires immediate treatment, which can prevent the development of disastrous consequences. At the first symptoms of the disease, you must seek qualified medical help.

Timely and well-chosen therapy guarantees a favorable prognosis for the disease. Successful treatment of pneumonia without fever is carried out at the Yusupov Hospital. The clinic's therapists and pulmonologists have extensive experience in diagnosing and eliminating various types of pneumonia. The Yusupov Hospital provides patients with comfortable hospital rooms, where they have everything they need for a quick recovery.

The Yusupov Hospital is located near the center of Moscow and provides care to patients around the clock. You can ask for advice, make an appointment and get recommendations from specialists by phone.

Complications after pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs can lead to influenza encephalitis, meningitis, otitis media and pyelonephritis. Severe forms of the disease can also cause the development of acute respiratory failure, which is associated with disruption of the functioning of most of the alveoli and the accumulation of sputum in them. All this leads to increased shortness of breath and the need to take forced positions that allow breathing - for example, sitting with your hands on the bed. In this case, the patient requires immediate hospitalization.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome also causes severe shortness of breath, which can lead to depression of consciousness, internal bleeding and thrombosis. And in this case, the help of a doctor is required without delay.

When purulent contents accumulate in the pleural cavity, we are talking about a condition called pleural empyema. The condition is accompanied by the development of pastiness in the face and chest, as well as peripheral edema.

Lack of treatment for any type, form of pneumonia and any complications can lead to death within the first week of the disease.