Pathophysiology of Viral Pneumonia

Viral particles like coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, herpes simplex, measles and adenoviruses may as well cause viral pneumonia (Hansel, & Dintzis, 2006). Most viral infections inclusive of viral pneumonia are incurable, however, upon diagnosis an infected person can receive medical prescriptions aimed at treating the symptoms and lessening the severity of the infection arising from invasion by viral pathogens. Antiviral medications are prescribed to infected person to help minimize the proliferation of viral particles within the body. Over the recent years there have been massive advancements in molecular analysis of the causative agents of viral pneumonia. Various determinants like age, co-infections and the physiological makeup of the host have been proved to play a role in susceptibility to viral pneumonia infection. Upon invasion by influenza A or B viruses, the viral particles find attachment sites and undergo cell reorganization, division, replication and later gets disseminated to other body parts within the host (Taubenberger, & Morens, 2008).

The inflammatory effects of viral pneumonia caused by influenza virus depend on the stage and duration of the infection ranging from the onset to late stage. The immune system of the host also plays a critical role in viral pneumonia and affects susceptibility to infection. To counteract the attachment of viral particles to the mucus membrane upon invasion, the immune system is outfitted with immunoglobulin A (IgA) cells. In certain occasions the influenza A and B viral particulates undergoes mutation in order to evade actions by antibodies (Taubenberger, & Morens, 2008). Effects and Symptoms of Viral Pneumonia Just like any form of pneumonia, viral pneumonia causes destructive effects on the lungs. Viral pneumonia is responsible for about 50% of all pneumonia infection cases (Kausler, Kausler, Krupsaw, & Kausler, 2007).

Viral pneumonia arising from invasion by influenza virus can at times be severe and may as well cause death. Vulnerability to viral pneumonia increases due to pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases (Kausler, Kausler, Krupsaw, & Kausler, 2007). This therefore explains the reason why the elderly people are more vulnerable to viral pneumonia infections as compared to other age brackets. When persons infected with viral pneumonia coughs or sneezes, the viral particles are disseminated in the surrounding air. These contaminated aerosols are taken up or inhaled by people within the immediate surroundings (Wyka, Mathews, & Clark, 2001). Flu virus is inoculated into the mucosa by contaminated fingers or hands. The viruses then get attached to the mucosal membrane. Diagnosis and Advancements in Combating Viral Pneumonia The diagnosis of viral pneumonia can be done in various ways depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

Radiological examination can also be used in the diagnosis of viral pneumonia (In Lu, & In Zhou, 2016). Treatment and Prevention Most viral infections inclusive of viral pneumonia are incurable, however, upon diagnosis an infected person can receive medical prescriptions aimed at treating the symptoms and lessening the severity of the infection arising from invasion by viral pathogens. Antiviral medications like adamantanes, amantadine and rimantadine are prescribed to infected person and acts by preventing viral replication through blockage of the viral M2 protein ion channel thus help minimize the proliferation of viral particles within the body (Niederman, 2011). Antiviral therapy is the most recommendable for people at higher risk of viral pneumonia infection. Other than medication, vaccination is also used as a preventive measure and provides hosts with protection from viral invasion.