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Viral pneumonia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Pneumonia - viral

Symptoms:

Chills
Clammy skin
Cough
Fatigue
Fever
Headache
Joint stiffness
Muscle stiffness and aching
Nausea and vomiting
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Sweating

Signs and tests:

Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest x-ray -- especially since the physical exam may not always distinguish pneumonia from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.

Depending on the severity of illness, additional studies may be done, include:

Complete blood count (CBC)
Blood cultures
Blood tests for antibodies to specific viruses
Bronchoscopy
Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources)
Sputum culture

Lungs

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 9/24/2008
Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Mandell LA, Wunderink RG, Anzueto A, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus guidelines on the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Mar 1;44 Suppl 2:S27-72.

Limper AH. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 97.

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