From respiratory tract infection to pneumonia - recognizing the warning signs

What is pneumonia? 

In 2023 Statistics Austria recorded over 7,000 more hospital stays due to pneumonia compared to the previous year. But what exactly is pneumonia and how does it develop?

It is caused by damaged alveoli and/or damaged lung tissue. The gas exchange in the lungs is impaired by purulent or watery deposits in cavities. This restricts lung function and can lead to shortness of breath. High fever, chills, weakness, coughing and rapid, painful or shallow breathing may also occur. Sometimes, however, not all symptoms appear, which is why pneumonia initially looks like a conventional respiratory infection.

Good to know: What is the difference between pneumonia and bronchitis? While the tissue is inflamed in pneumonia, the mucous membranes of the trachea or bronchi are affected in bronchitis.

When should you see a doctor for respiratory diseases? 

The question often arises as to when you should see a doctor if you have a respiratory illness. The following applies here: if symptoms last longer than a week, get much worse or acute symptoms such as high fever or chills with headaches and aching limbs develop, you should In definitely see a doctor. As a general rule, it is better to be examined at an early stage, as in the worst case pneumonia can lead to shortness of breath. 

In order to make a clear diagnosis, an X-ray is taken in addition to physical examinations to see where and how much of the lung tissue is inflamed. The degree of inflammation and the exact pathogen can be tested by taking a blood sample. 

There are both bacterial and viral respiratory infections. Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria. In most cases, the infection that affects you depends on the location of the infection. An infection with bacteria in a hospital often means a more difficult course to treat. Viruses or fungi can rarely be the cause of pneumonia. . 

The course of the disease can vary depending on how early pneumonia is detected and what triggers it. Initial and sudden symptoms include high fever, chills and sweating. Even if the symptoms subside, those affected should rest for a few more weeks. The body is weakened and not yet fully resilient, as symptoms such as coughing may persist. 

Differences to other respiratory infections 

Pneumonia sometimes follows as a serious complication of other respiratory diseases. Viruses, such as influenza viruses, RS viruses and coronaviruses, can be triggers for this. Here are the most important respiratory infections at a glance: 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often seems like a simple cold at first, but can lead to serious respiratory symptoms.

• Symptoms: cold-like, loss of appetite, pharyngitis, Fever infections of the lower respiratory tract with mucousy cough
• Trigger: respiratory syncytial virus
• Transmission: from person to person, droplet or smear infection
• Severe courses: Atemnot, Bronchiolitis, Lungenentzündungen

Flu
Every year there is a flu epidemic in Austria during the cold season. According to the Federal ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, around 1000 people die every year as a result of infection with influenza viruses.

• Symptoms: sudden feeling of illness, fever, cough, sore throat, aching limbs and headache 
• Trigger: influenza viruses
• Transmission: from person to person, direct contact, contaminated objects 
• Severe courses: Inflammation of the brain or myocarditis, pneumonia

Corona
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 viruses also leads to respiratory diseases. Sometimes respiratory symptoms appear even after a long Covid recovery.  

• Symptoms: Cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste and smell 
• Trigger: SARS-CoV-2-viruses
• Transmission: Inhalation of virus-containing liquid particles in the air
• Severe courses: pneumonia

Vaccination as a precaution  

Vaccinations are recommended to protect against new virus variants and severe cases. They do not provide immunity against respiratory infections, but help to mitigate complications and reduce the risk of a severe course. Risk groups in particular, such as older people, are advised to get vaccinated. Find out more in our article Flu and older adults: How to stay healthy.

Find out about vaccination programs, protective measures and recommendations from your doctor and APO24 you will also find the opening hours and on-call services of Austrian pharmacies.

Your APO24 team