Can a virus develop into pneumonia?

On Thursday (22), the singer Ivete Sangalo was hospitalized with pneumonia. Through social media, the artist shared that she contracted a virus after carnival marathon and, seeking medical help, discovered the respiratory disease.

In the publication, the owner of “Macetando” says that, after the marathon Carnival, he contracted a virus and, as he had a cough, he sought out doctors. It was then that she received the new diagnosis.

Post-virus pneumonia is not uncommon, experts inform CNN . This is because any viral disease can progress to inflammation of the lungs.

Can a virus develop into pneumonia?

According to pulmonologist Wanderson Silva, any viral infection of the upper airways such as colds, flu or Covid-19 can develop into pneumonia.

“This happens because the virus inflames your airways, facilitating the entry of bacteria that can cause sinusitis, tracheobronchitis and pneumonia”, explains the professional. “During a virus you become more sensitive. Our natural protections are compromised, we become dehydrated, we eat little, all of these factors contribute to other microorganisms causing secondary infections.”

“The virus can damage the epidermis, the protection of the respiratory tract and this will encourage the entry of bacteria into the lungs. This is why a virus can actually precede a bacterial virus. 30% of bacterial pneumonias had a previous viral infection”, adds José Roberto Medga, Regional President of Vale do Paraíba at the Sociedade Paulista De Pneumologia E Tisiologia.

Alvaro José de Souza, General Surgeon and Digestive System Surgeon at Clinica Gastro ABC, explains that viruses need to be monitored by a healthcare specialist to ensure they do not progress clinically.

“Normally, virus symptoms are restricted to malaise, diarrhea with liquid stools, nausea and vomiting, with some abdominal discomfort, sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever. Alarm symptoms, which are serious, in addition to dehydration itself, are high and persistent fever, diarrhea with blood, mucus or food debris, associated with severe abdominal pain, in addition to lasting more than 14 days. It is essential to seek a health service immediately”, emphasizes the professional.

The evolution of the virus, however, does not occur in all cases. According to André Augusto Pinto, General and Bariatric Surgeon at the gastro ABC clinic, the most serious conditions are at the extremes of age, such as the elderly and young children, as well as patients with some serious previous illness. “In these cases, the greatest risk is dehydration, caused by more severe diarrhea, or vomiting when it is excessive.”

According to experts, the symptoms of a virus last an average of three days to a week. If symptoms do not improve within this period or if they worsen, a doctor should be consulted.

Alarm signs and symptoms include high fever (above 38 degrees) for more than 2 days, shortness of breath, rapid and wheezing, chest pain, persistent cough, dehydration, drowsiness and mental confusion.

How to treat the virus and prevent it from evolving into a more serious case?

“During a virus it is essential to stay hydrated, have a balanced diet, avoid exhausting activities, not smoke or drink alcohol and rest”, explains Wanderson Silva.

According to the doctor, although it helps to control some symptoms, anti-flu, anti-allergy medicines and vitamin C do not prevent the progression of a virus into a more serious condition. The focus should be on preventing the disease, and on taking the recommended vaccine, which already exists.

“Therefore, prevention is extremely necessary and it is important to remember that there is a vaccine against pneumonia, called pneumococcal, which protects against severe forms of the disease. It must be prescribed and recommended by a doctor. The influenza and Covid-19 vaccines also prevent serious conditions, hospitalization and death”, concludes the professional.