This article is to discuss Atypical pneumonia regarding its definition, diagnosis and management .
• More gradual onset, dyspnea.
• Chest complaints e.g pleuritic pain, productive cough are less marked in atypical pneumonia than in classical .
• Prominence of extra pulmonary symptoms e.g. headache, malaise, myalgia, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Minimal signs on physical examination e.g few scattered crepitations.
• Investigations: Blood picture, ESR, sputum examination, x ray and serology as before.
- Manifestations of Pneumonia
• Mycoplasma and legionella : Clarithromycin 500 mg/12 hr I.V or erythromycine 500 mg/6hr I.V plus rifampicin 600mg/12 hr. Also Legionnaires' disease (Iegionella pneumonia) responds to fluoroquinolones e.g levofloxacine (Tavanic).
• Chlamydia : erythromycine or tetracycline.
What is meant by Atypical pneumonia ?
There is congestion of the alveolar wall without consolidation .
How to diagnose Atypical pneumonia ?
Atypical pneumonia syndrome is characterized by:• More gradual onset, dyspnea.
• Chest complaints e.g pleuritic pain, productive cough are less marked in atypical pneumonia than in classical .
• Prominence of extra pulmonary symptoms e.g. headache, malaise, myalgia, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Minimal signs on physical examination e.g few scattered crepitations.
• Investigations: Blood picture, ESR, sputum examination, x ray and serology as before.
- Manifestations of Pneumonia
Treatment of Atypical pneumonia
• Viral : antiviral• Mycoplasma and legionella : Clarithromycin 500 mg/12 hr I.V or erythromycine 500 mg/6hr I.V plus rifampicin 600mg/12 hr. Also Legionnaires' disease (Iegionella pneumonia) responds to fluoroquinolones e.g levofloxacine (Tavanic).
• Chlamydia : erythromycine or tetracycline.