Double Pneumonia: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis

Overview

• Double pneumonia is a lung infection affecting both lungs.
• Inflammation of alveoli leads to fluid/pus buildup, making breathing difficult.
• Common causes: bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
• Can be life-threatening without treatment.

Symptoms

• Same symptoms as pneumonia in one lung, not necessarily more severe.
• Common symptoms:
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Congestion
  • Coughing, possibly with phlegm
  • Fever, sweating, chills
  • Rapid heart and breathing rate
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Additional symptoms for those >65 years:
  • Confusion
  • Lower-than-normal body temperature

When to Call a Doctor

• Immediate medical help if there's trouble breathing or severe chest pain.
• Symptoms resembling flu/cold but severe or lasting >3 days warrant a doctor's visit.

Causes

• Infection type (viral, bacterial, fungal) largely determines lung involvement.
• Higher risk for:
  • Infants and toddlers
  • Individuals >65 years
  • Immunocompromised individuals
  • People with chronic diseases (asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart failure)
  • Smokers or substance abusers

Treatment Options

• Similar treatment for pneumonia in one or both lungs.
• Depends on infection cause, severity, age, and general health.
• Common Treatments:
  • OTC drugs for pain and fever relief (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
  • Cough medicine as advised by doctor.
• Specific Treatments:
  • Viral pneumonia: Anti-viral drugs and symptom relief; hospitalization for chronic conditions/older adults.
  • Bacterial pneumonia: Antibiotics based on bacterial type; IV antibiotics and breathing help for severe cases.

Recovery Time

• Most healthy individuals recover in 3-5 days with treatment.
• Full activity resumption possible in about a week, but fatigue may linger.
• Hospitalization extends recovery time.

Prognosis

• Can be deadly if untreated; serious risk regardless of lung infection count.
• Possibility of complications, especially with underlying illnesses.
• Long-term issues post-recovery: risk of chronic lung diseases in children, heart disease, cognitive decline in adults.

Contagiousness

• Determined by the type of pneumonia (viral, bacterial).

References

• Information reviewed and provided by medical professionals, including Dr. Adithya Cattamanchi.
• Sources include American Thoracic Society, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic.