{"id":11478,"date":"2026-03-02T02:31:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T00:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=11478"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:53:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:53:25","slug":"pneumonia-first-symptoms-timely-diagnosis-and-effective-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/pneumonia-first-symptoms-timely-diagnosis-and-effective-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Pneumonia: first symptoms, modern diagnostics and effective treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"73\" data-end=\"430\">Pneumonia is an acute infectious inflammation of the lung tissue that can progress rapidly and lead to complications. Thousands of people seek medical attention every year with symptoms of pneumonia, and the disease can be particularly severe in at-risk groups. That is why early diagnosis of pneumonia, proper treatment, and timely prevention are key.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"432\" data-end=\"670\">According to <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">World Health Organization<\/span><\/span>, pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization among children under 5 years of age and older adults. The risk of complications is also significantly increased in adults with chronic diseases.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"709\">What is pneumonia in simple words?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"711\" data-end=\"948\">Pneumonia is an inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs. The alveoli are small air sacs through which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. When they fill with fluid or purulent exudate, the body begins to experience a lack of oxygen.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"950\" data-end=\"988\">The causes of pneumonia can be different:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"990\" data-end=\"1094\">\n<li data-start=\"990\" data-end=\"1015\">\n<p data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1015\">bacterial infection<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1016\" data-end=\"1058\">\n<p data-start=\"1018\" data-end=\"1058\">viral infection (flu, <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-clinical-risks-diagnostics-and-prevention\/\">RSV<\/a>, (COVID-19)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1080\">\n<p data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1080\">fungal pathogens<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1094\">\n<p data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1094\">aspiration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1154\">Bacterial pneumonia is most often diagnosed in adults.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1156\" data-end=\"1204\">Symptoms of pneumonia: when to sound the alarm<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1282\">Pneumonia may start as a common cold, but symptoms quickly worsen.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1311\">The main symptoms of pneumonia:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1491\">\n<li data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1346\">\n<p data-start=\"1315\" data-end=\"1346\">high fever over 38\u00b0C<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1347\" data-end=\"1391\">\n<p data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1391\">severe cough (with phlegm or dry)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1392\" data-end=\"1433\">\n<p data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1433\">chest pain when breathing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1445\">\n<p data-start=\"1436\" data-end=\"1445\">dyspnea<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1468\">\n<p data-start=\"1448\" data-end=\"1468\">pronounced weakness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1469\" data-end=\"1491\">\n<p data-start=\"1471\" data-end=\"1491\">rapid breathing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1652\">In older people, pneumonia may manifest itself atypically \u2014 without a high fever, but with severe weakness, confusion, or exacerbation of chronic diseases.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1689\">Pneumonia in children and the elderly<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1691\" data-end=\"1799\">In children, pneumonia often develops after a viral infection. Signs that require immediate evaluation by a doctor include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1898\">\n<li data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"1836\">\n<p data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1836\">intercostal space retraction<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1859\">\n<p data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1859\">rapid breathing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1860\" data-end=\"1878\">\n<p data-start=\"1862\" data-end=\"1878\">blue lips<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1879\" data-end=\"1898\">\n<p data-start=\"1881\" data-end=\"1898\">refusal of food<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1900\" data-end=\"2035\">In people over 65, pneumonia can quickly lead to respiratory failure. This age group is at the highest risk of hospitalization.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2083\">Pneumonia Diagnosis: What Tests Are Needed?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2085\" data-end=\"2159\">Timely diagnosis allows you to distinguish pneumonia from bronchitis or acute respiratory viral infections.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2161\" data-end=\"2176\">Main methods:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2337\">\n<li data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2210\">\n<p data-start=\"2180\" data-end=\"2210\">doctor&#039;s examination and auscultation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2237\">\n<p data-start=\"2213\" data-end=\"2237\">chest x-ray<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2238\" data-end=\"2264\">\n<p data-start=\"2240\" data-end=\"2264\">complete blood count<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2265\" data-end=\"2287\">\n<p data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2287\">C-reactive protein<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2306\">\n<p data-start=\"2290\" data-end=\"2306\">procalcitonin<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2307\" data-end=\"2337\">\n<p data-start=\"2309\" data-end=\"2337\">oxygen saturation determination<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2339\" data-end=\"2453\">According to recommendations <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/span>, radiography is the key method for confirming the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2455\" data-end=\"2515\">In difficult cases, a computed tomography of the lungs is performed.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2517\" data-end=\"2553\">Laboratory markers for pneumonia<\/h2>\n<div class=\"TyagGW_tableContainer\">\n<div class=\"group TyagGW_tableWrapper flex flex-col-reverse w-fit\">\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"2555\" data-end=\"2808\">\n<thead data-start=\"2555\" data-end=\"2591\">\n<tr data-start=\"2555\" data-end=\"2591\">\n<th class=\"\" data-start=\"2555\" data-end=\"2566\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Indicator<\/th>\n<th class=\"\" data-start=\"2566\" data-end=\"2591\" data-col-size=\"sm\">What does promotion mean?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"2630\" data-end=\"2808\">\n<tr data-start=\"2630\" data-end=\"2663\">\n<td data-start=\"2630\" data-end=\"2642\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Leukocytes<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2642\" data-end=\"2663\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Active inflammation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2709\">\n<td data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2685\" data-col-size=\"sm\">C-reactive protein<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2685\" data-end=\"2709\">Bacterial process<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2710\" data-end=\"2762\">\n<td data-start=\"2710\" data-end=\"2727\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Procalcitonin<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2727\" data-end=\"2762\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Severity of bacterial infection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2763\" data-end=\"2808\">\n<td data-start=\"2763\" data-end=\"2784\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Decreased saturation<\/td>\n<td data-col-size=\"sm\" data-start=\"2784\" data-end=\"2808\">Gas exchange disorders<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2810\" data-end=\"2878\">A comprehensive assessment of the results helps determine the severity of the course.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2880\" data-end=\"2902\">Pneumonia treatment<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2904\" data-end=\"2941\">Treatment depends on the type of pathogen.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2943\" data-end=\"2971\">For bacterial pneumonia:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3073\">\n<li data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3002\">\n<p data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"3002\">antibiotics are prescribed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3003\" data-end=\"3032\">\n<p data-start=\"3005\" data-end=\"3032\">temperature controlled<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3073\">\n<p data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3073\">anti-inflammatory therapy is used<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3098\">For viral pneumonia:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3100\" data-end=\"3196\">\n<li data-start=\"3100\" data-end=\"3143\">\n<p data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3143\">antiviral drugs (as indicated)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3144\" data-end=\"3171\">\n<p data-start=\"3146\" data-end=\"3171\">symptomatic treatment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3196\">\n<p data-start=\"3174\" data-end=\"3196\">saturation monitoring<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3198\" data-end=\"3338\">According to the position <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">FDA<\/span><\/span>, antibiotics are not used without a confirmed bacterial nature of the disease.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3340\" data-end=\"3369\">Hospitalization is necessary for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3371\" data-end=\"3466\">\n<li data-start=\"3371\" data-end=\"3394\">\n<p data-start=\"3373\" data-end=\"3394\">saturation below 94%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3395\" data-end=\"3416\">\n<p data-start=\"3397\" data-end=\"3416\">severe shortness of breath<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3417\" data-end=\"3448\">\n<p data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3448\">concomitant chronic diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3449\" data-end=\"3466\">\n<p data-start=\"3451\" data-end=\"3466\">old age<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3468\" data-end=\"3500\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11480\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it.jpg\" alt=\"chest x-ray for pneumonia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-600x398.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/seriously-looking-young-female-doctor-wearing-medical-robe-stethoscope-holding-x-ray-shot-pointing-it-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 data-start=\"3468\" data-end=\"3500\">Possible complications of pneumonia<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3502\" data-end=\"3554\">Pneumonia without proper treatment can lead to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3556\" data-end=\"3667\">\n<li data-start=\"3556\" data-end=\"3568\">\n<p data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3568\">pleurisy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3587\">\n<p data-start=\"3571\" data-end=\"3587\">lung abscess<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3588\" data-end=\"3599\">\n<p data-start=\"3590\" data-end=\"3599\">sepsis<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3600\" data-end=\"3627\">\n<p data-start=\"3602\" data-end=\"3627\">respiratory failure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3628\" data-end=\"3667\">\n<p data-start=\"3630\" data-end=\"3667\">exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3669\" data-end=\"3732\">That is why self-medication when pneumonia is suspected is dangerous.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3734\" data-end=\"3759\">Pneumonia prevention<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3761\" data-end=\"3792\">Effective prevention includes:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3940\">\n<li data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3820\">\n<p data-start=\"3796\" data-end=\"3820\">flu vaccination<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3821\" data-end=\"3852\">\n<p data-start=\"3823\" data-end=\"3852\">vaccination against pneumococcus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3853\" data-end=\"3876\">\n<p data-start=\"3855\" data-end=\"3876\">quitting smoking<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3877\" data-end=\"3911\">\n<p data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3911\">chronic disease control<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3912\" data-end=\"3940\">\n<p data-start=\"3914\" data-end=\"3940\">regular medical checkups<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3942\" data-end=\"4016\">It is especially important to undergo preventive examinations. <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analyzes-for-elderly-people-that-help-maintain-health-after-60-years-of-age\/\">people over 60 years old<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4286\">Pneumonia is a serious illness that can progress very quickly. If symptoms appear, it is important to see a doctor, undergo the necessary diagnostics, and begin treatment. Early medical care significantly reduces the risk of complications and helps restore health faster.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pneumonia is an acute infectious inflammation of the lung tissue that can progress rapidly and lead to complications. Every year, thousands of people seek medical attention.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":11479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-zahvoryuvannya-ta-symptomy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11478"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11478\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}