Pneumonia: a very common respiratory infection

Between 400,000 and 600,000 people contract pneumonia each year in France, outside the hospital. This lung infection, more serious than bronchitis, is cured in 90% of cases. What are its symptoms? How to treat it?

A cough, difficulty breathing, a fever above 39°C, chills, pain in the chest and sometimes spitting up... It could be pneumonia!

What is the difference with bronchitis?

This disease has the same symptoms - apart from fever and pain - as a common bronchitis. But it is, in reality, more serious. “Pneumonia affects the lung tissue, with a risk of sepsis (a generalized infection, editor’s note). It is a deeper infection than bronchitis”, explains Dr Didier Debieuvre, president of the College of pulmonologists of general hospitals.

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Pneumonia, pneumopathy: what's the difference? “Pneumopathy is a generic term that refers to all inflammatory diseases of the lung. Pneumonia is an infectious pneumopathy,” explains Dr. Debieuvre. The other so-called interstitial pneumopathies (sarcoidosis, pulmonary vasculitis, pneumoconiosis, etc.) are manifested by a cough, difficulty breathing, sometimes chest pain, etc. Various examinations make it possible to make a precise diagnosis and to give appropriate treatment.

Pneumonia is more or less contagious

Pneumonia can be caused by a virus (influenza virus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, etc.). The disease is transmitted by air (cough, sputter, sneeze, etc.). It's as contagious as the flu. "Annual flu vaccination is the best prevention," says Dr. Debieuvre.

In 50% of cases, it is a bacterium, most often pneumococcus, which is involved. This form of pneumonia is more serious (the risk of death is greater), but less contagious. Vaccination against pneumococcus is recommended for the elderly and frail.

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Who is at risk of catching pneumonia?

What exams?

To make his diagnosis, the doctor bases himself essentially on the symptoms and the clinical examination of the patient, “in particular the auscultation which is abnormal unlike bronchitis”, specifies Dr. Debieuvre.

A chest X-ray will confirm the diagnosis, but it is only offered in special cases, for example when the cough or fever persists too long or there are complications (pleural effusion, respiratory distress, low blood pressure, disorder of consciousness, etc.).

Similarly, blood, urine or sputum tests, which would make it possible to distinguish the viral or bacterial origin of pneumonia, are rarely carried out, except in the severe hospitalized forms.

How to treat pneumonia?

As a precaution, pneumonia is treated with antibiotic treatment, which is quickly effective against bacterial infections, which are potentially more serious than viral pneumonia.

Pneumonia heals without sequelae in 90% of cases, although fatigue and coughing can last for several weeks. Only 15% of patients require hospitalization for complications.