Pneumonia is a condition that affects the lungs and in this infection the lung tissue may be filled with fluid and pus. This makes it difficult for oxygen to reach a person’s bloodstream. A person having the pneumonia virus may have breathing problems and may also have fever and cough. Abdominal pain, vomiting and chest pain may also be experienced.

This illness is caused by pneumonia virus such as adenovirus and influenza virus. Some other viruses like repiratory syncytial virus may cause pneumonia in infants and young children. Other bacteria like streptococcus penumoniae can also cause this illness. Those individuals suffering from bacterial pneumonia are normally sicker as compared to those having viral pneumonia. However this condition can be treated with the appropriate antibiotics.

The pneumonia virus can affect both the lungs and this condition is called double pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is also fairly common and this form of pneumonia is mild so that the person having this illness may not even be completely aware of it. Walking pneumonia is caused by the pneumonia virus called mycoplasma pneumoniae. Pneumonia caused by viral infection results in swelling along with congestion within the lungs as well as irritation. The pneumonia virus can be spread though infected droplets that are inhaled by a person through the nose or the mouth. Once the virus gains entry in the lungs it invades the cells that line up the alveoli and airways.

The pneumonia virus causes symptoms like sore throat and cough. Other symptoms associated with this condition include fever, cough, chills, rapid breathing, abdominal or chest pain and exhaustion. Patients may also experience vomiting, loss of appetite and wheezing. The symptoms may be different in different cases.

Headache, chills, loss of appetite, fever, productive cough and muscle aches are some of the symptoms commonly experienced in viral pneumonia. Breathing difficulties may be commonly experienced and a physician may hear cackles when the chest of the patient is examined through a stethoscope.

Pneumonia caused by bacteria results in individuals falling sick quickly. As against this in pneumonia caused by pneumonia virus the symptoms tend to develop gradually. The symptoms in this case may also be relatively less severe. The type of pneumonia can be identified through the symptoms. In influenza pneumonia a person may become sick within 12 hours to 3 days following exposure to the virus.

Treatment of pneumonia virus requires the patients to take some antibiotics. Diagnosis of this condition is done through a chest X-ray along with some blood tests. In case of those individuals who are hospitalized the antibiotics may also be given intravenously. Many of the viral cases of pneumonia can improve and resolve on its own in around one to three weeks.

Patients suffering from this condition should also include some supportive care in their treatment process. The supportive care includes using humidified air and increased intake of fluids. Hospitalization is required in cases where the infection is serious and it helps in preventing dehydration and providing assistance to breathing along with supplementing oxygen.