Why is viral pneumonia less serious than bacterial pneumonia?

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In summary, viral pneumonia is less serious than bacterial pneumonia, which can cause a pulmonary abscess.
  • #1
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Why is viral pneumonia less serious than bacterial pneumonia(which can cause a pulmonary abscess)?

I mean what if you are infected by multiple viruses for some reason or another. This makes the whole viral infection more serious than if you were infected by a single bacterium.

Also while babies might not often get bacterial infections, they often have the most serious cases of any infection because they have less antibodies against it than everybody else does. This makes even the common cold more serious in babies since it can lead to an even more serious infection with viral pneumonia, especially from the flu virus which has symptoms that can start as soon as 4 hours after the infection starts and is a common culprit for viral pneumonia. And the common cold is a filtrable virus(meaning it can pass through porcelain easily) so it itself could potentially get to the lungs and cause pneumonia.
 
  • #3
Right here is a webpage that has a table comparing bacterial pneumonia to viral pneumonia:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Pneumonia

It says that viral pneumonia is usually less serious. However I don't know how that is the case when you can get infected by multiple viruses making the whole viral infection more serious and the fact that some viruses might cause mild symptoms in some tissues and severe symptoms in other tissues.

And people with weak immune systems such as babies tend to have the worst symptoms of any infection, whether or not it is contagious.

So if people in a family are all infected with cold viruses it is very likely that elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and infants will get viral pneumonia either from the cold virus itself going into the alveoli where it could potentially get into the bloodstream and cause blood poisoning or sepsis, or from a different virus that gets into their lungs while the cold virus is still inside them and causing symptoms. This can cause symptoms that happen as soon as 4 hours after the infection starts, especially if it is from the flu virus. It can also cause symptoms that are so severe that they need to be treated in a hospital instead of with supportive care at home.

Now yes lots of bacteria cause severe and abrupt symptoms and bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia but that does not mean that viral pneumonia is any less serious.
 
Last edited:

1. What is viral pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by a virus. It is different from bacterial pneumonia, which is caused by bacteria.

2. How is viral pneumonia transmitted?

Viral pneumonia is typically transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as coughing or sneezing, from an infected person. It can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

3. What are the symptoms of viral pneumonia?

The symptoms of viral pneumonia include cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. These symptoms may be similar to those of the common cold or flu, but they can be more severe and last longer.

4. How is viral pneumonia diagnosed?

Viral pneumonia can be diagnosed through a physical exam, chest X-ray, and laboratory tests. The doctor may also take a sample of mucus from the lungs to determine the specific virus causing the infection.

5. Can viral pneumonia be treated?

Yes, viral pneumonia can be treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medication for symptoms such as fever and cough. In some cases, antiviral medication may be prescribed. It is important to seek medical treatment if symptoms are severe or do not improve within a few days.

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