Drugs for the treatment of fungal infection in the lungs. Fungus in the lungs: symptoms and treatment, causes of the disease. Treatment of fungus in the respiratory system

Mycosis can develop against the background of another disease, or it can be primary, that is, independent. In addition, a distinction is made between isolated pulmonary mycosis, which affects exclusively lung tissue, and mycosis that spreads to other organs, such as the bronchi or liver.

The cause of pulmonary mycoses is the active activity of pathogenic fungi in human body. The provoking factor is not always their penetration into the body, because some types of mycoses (aspergillosis, candidiasis, actinomycosis) are characterized by endogenous origin, that is, a small amount of them is considered normal for a healthy body, and mycosis develops only under certain unfavorable conditions. Other varieties of mycoses, which are exogenous, are characterized by contagiousness, that is, the ability to be transmitted by contact and through inhalation of infected dust. These include coccidioidosis and histoplasmosis.

The trigger for the development of pulmonary mycoses may be an infectious inflammatory process, aggressive antibacterial therapy, weakening of the body concomitant diseases(that is, mycosis develops against the background of another disease).

Symptoms of mycoses in many ways similar to clinical manifestations respiratory infections and chronic diseases of the respiratory system. The patient complains about general weakness and fatigue, sweating and increased body temperature, suffers from cough, and sometimes chest pain. Bloody spots and pus may appear in the sputum. Suspicions of mycosis are confirmed during laboratory diagnostics and radiography.

How to treat pulmonary mycosis?

Treatment of pulmonary mycoses should be started as soon as possible after confirmation of the diagnosis. Untimely and inadequate therapy is dangerous for the development of complications and the spread of infection throughout the body, right up to the membranes of the brain. Therapy is prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogens to drugs. If mycosis was preceded by another disease, its treatment is also required.

Treatment of actinomycosis

Antibiotics are prescribed and sulfa drugs depending on the sensitivity of bacterial flora and fungi to them.

Treatment of aspergillosis

Antifungal antibiotics, intravenous administration of sodium iodine, amphotericin, ingestion of a solution of potassium iodide, amphoglucamine, inhalation of ethyl iodide and the same amphotericin are prescribed. Expectorants and cardiac glycosides are recommended in combination. Under the influence of Aspergillus, aspergilloma can develop, a neoplasm that requires surgical treatment.

Treatment of histoplasmosis

Levorin, amphoglucomine and amphotericin are prescribed, but in combination with sulfadimezine, gamma globulin and blood transfusions. To suppress secondary flora, additional treatment with antibacterial drugs is prescribed.

Treatment of candidiasis

Antifungal antibiotics are prescribed: levorin, amphotericin, amphoglucamine, mycoheptin.

Treatment of coccidiosis

Antifungal antibiotics are prescribed in combination with sulfadimesine and sulfadimethoxine.

The treatment process must be monitored qualified specialist in a hospital setting. Self-medication and untimely consultation with a doctor are dangerous to the health and life of the patient.

What diseases can it be associated with?

Tracheobronchitis

Treatment of pulmonary mycosis at home

Treatment of pulmonary mycoses It is not recommended to do it at home. Self-medication is even more dangerous. The course of treatment is carried out mainly with specific antifungal antibiotics, which are administered intravenously; therapy may be accompanied by blood transfusions, and in some cases surgical intervention is necessary. Such circumstances, combined with the need to treat diseases associated with mycosis, require a professional approach and constant monitoring from the outside medical personnel, and therefore a stay in a hospital setting.

What drugs are used to treat pulmonary mycosis?

Medications are prescribed depending on the causative agent of mycosis:

Actinomycosis

Aspergillosis

Histoplasmosis

Mycoheptin

Candidiasis and coccidiosis

Mycoheptin

Treatment of mycosis of the lungs with traditional methods

Traditional medicine can be an addition to the drug treatment of mycoses of internal organs. Collections of medicinal herbs demonstrate their relative effectiveness, a tablespoon of which must be brewed in a glass of boiling water, and after cooling, strain and take orally. For treatment of pulmonary mycoses fees may be as follows:

black elderberry, fennel, hyssop, angelica, istod and wild rosemary;
black walnut, hemlock, Walnut, lumbago, yew, celandine, colchicum.

Treatment of mycosis of the lungs during pregnancy

Mycoses of the lungs are not very common diseases; they develop more often against the background of other diseases of the respiratory system or when exposed to unfavorable factors and contacts that a pregnant woman should avoid in every possible way. If it is still not possible to avoid the disease, treatment must be carried out under the strict supervision of the attending physician, who will assess the benefits of treatment for the woman and the risks of such therapy for the fetus.

Which doctors should you contact if you have mycosis of the lungs?

Treatment of other diseases starting with the letter - m

Treatment of malaria

Fungus in the lungs is quite rare and is often confused with other serious pulmonary diseases. This is serious and dangerous disease requiring urgent treatment. IN running forms it causes serious consequences and becomes the cause deaths. Fungal lung disease is difficult to recognize because it causes identical symptoms to tuberculosis and pneumonia, but is treated with completely different medications.

Causes of the disease

Fungal infection of the lungs is a difficult to cure disease and is caused by the fact that the lungs are affected yeast mushrooms genus Candida. They are permanent and safe for healthy person, inhabitants of our skin. Candida fungi become dangerous when immunity decreases. The causes of decreased immunity are constant stressful situations, antibiotics and vitamin deficiency. Mycotic infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract is dangerous for everyone; the fungus affects both adults and children. Increased risk infected in sick people:

HIV infection;
diseases endocrine system;
AIDS;
cancerous tumors;
tuberculosis;
diabetes mellitus;
serious chronic diseases.

Symptoms of the disease

Fungal diseases of the lungs initially manifest themselves as a common dry cough, like a cold. When you cough, you produce sputum interspersed with mucus. After the lung tissue is damaged by the fungus, body temperature rises and breathing becomes difficult. The patient experiences shortness of breath and an increase in the amount of sputum. Bloody thread-like inclusions are observed in the sputum. The patient experiences pain when inhaling.

Fungal infection of the lungs occurs in people with sharply reduced protective reactions of the body.

On secondary stages disease, the presence of abscesses and thickening of the chaff in the lungs is observed. When the lungs are infected with a fungus, changes begin in the bronchi and the ribs become deformed. The patient complains of increased pain. A formation becomes visible on his skin fistula tracts and discharge of pus. In it, as in sputum, doctors detect fungal spores during analysis. Fungi that infect the lungs are located in the lower part of one of them. The disease takes a long time to develop and constantly progresses.

Pulmonary mycoses have their own obvious signs - this is a deterioration in the patient’s condition after taking antibiotics and the absence of wheezing in the lungs.

Symptoms of the disease are initially difficult to distinguish from common cold, That's why fungal infection lungs remains without proper treatment until the patient develops bright severe symptoms in the form of subcutaneous infiltrates, fistulous tracts, exhaustion of the body, development of cachexia and intoxication. Advanced cases of this disease lead to death.

Symptoms of aspergillosis

Mold fungal infections of the lungs also occur; they affect HIV-infected and very weakened people; the disease develops when the lungs have already been affected by tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. The causative agents of the disease are fungi derived from mold. Symptoms appear the same as with candidiasis. Mold in the lungs causes weakness and apathy, anorexia, and sweating. It is distinguished by its upper, right-sided location in the lungs.

Diagnosis of fungus in the lungs

To accurately and correctly diagnose the disease, a lung puncture is performed through the skin.

For selection effective medicines It is important that the disease is diagnosed as early as possible. An analysis of sputum released during coughing or necrotic masses from fistulous tracts is carried out. To confirm the diagnosis, a lung puncture is performed through the skin. Under a microscope, the spores of the fungus that causes the disease become visible. This type of analysis will help determine the genus of mushrooms. A test for bacterial culture pus from fistulous tracts. This is how the presence of mushrooms is determined and effective medicine, in order to cure them. Application x-ray examination not recommended as it is ineffective on early stages illness and because of it, the presence of chronic pneumonia, abscess, tumor or tuberculosis is mistakenly diagnosed. In the later stages of the disease, when examining the image, changes in the ribs, chaff and bronchial tree. Aspergillosis in the respiratory tract is diagnosed in the same way as pulmonary candidiasis.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment for fungus takes a long time. A set of antimycotic agents and antibiotics is used. When the disease became chronic form, they are used in the form of injections. Antibiotics are selected by acting on the grown colonies of fungi from the samples taken. Add inhalations to achieve best results Immunostimulants are prescribed to help the body produce antibodies that fight fungal infections. Assign vitamin complexes and a special low-carb diet. Doctors select the optimal treatment, especially when the disease is detected in a child.

The first is caused by microflora of the genus Actinomyces, also called radiant fungus. Its spores are saprophytes of some cereal plants (barley, wheat, rye). Spores usually enter the human body along with air saturated with dust, which also includes actinomycetes. Another method of infection is also possible: infection through wound surface on the skin and the spread of mycelium through the bloodstream.

Pulmonary candidiasis is caused by the Candida species, which is considered opportunistic. These fungi live in the body of every person and normally not only do not harm him, but also perform useful features. However, if due to unfavorable circumstances their number increases sharply, Candida can cause a lot of trouble.

These factors include:

pathologies of the endocrine system, primarily diabetes;
immunodeficiency of various etiologies;
long-term sluggish inflammatory processes;
uncontrolled use of medications.

Depending on where exactly fungal colonies are localized in the lung tissues, experts name the types of this etiology:

postcandidiasis pneumofibrosis;
focal mycotic pneumonia;
disseminated pulmonary candidiasis;
chronic candidal pneumonia;
lobar mycotic pneumonia;
exudative candidal pleurisy.

A consultation with a pulmonologist allows you to accurately determine the nature of the lesion.

Symptoms and diagnosis

On early stages the symptoms of fungal infection of the lungs are in many ways similar to simple pneumonia, as well as tuberculosis infection, so it is often confused with these pathologies.

Among them:

Temperature increase.
Cough.
Sputum production, often mixed with blood.
Dyspnea.
Increased sweating.

At further development Pathogenesis, the picture becomes more pronounced, since purulent components appear in the sputum, caused by the rupture of abscesses formed by a fungal colony.

Diagnosing lung fungus, when the symptoms are unclear, helps with an integrated approach, including tests of blood, sputum, pleural fluid, lung tissue using following methods research:

X-ray, which allows you to find out the localization of fungal foci in the lungs;
microscopic, which involves examining samples of fungal mycelia isolated from sputum under a microscope;
culturological, in which fungal spores are multiplied in laboratory conditions using bacterial inoculation in order to clarify their response to various drugs;
serological blood test, used to determine the disease by the presence of specific antibodies in it, indicating the presence of a particular pathogen in the body;
PCR diagnostics, which determines the type of pathogenic agent by analyzing its DNA.

After the diagnosis is established, a treatment strategy is developed, individual for each patient.

Treatment and prevention of pulmonary mycosis

The main means of combating pulmonary fungus are antimycotic drugs, such as:

Amphotericin B;
Diflucan;
Itracon;
Orungal.

Since the disease, as a rule, occurs against the background of a sharp decrease in the level of immune defense, drugs that strengthen the immune system are prescribed in combination with these pharmaceuticals.

Modern pharmacology has an extensive arsenal similar drugs:

Arbidol;
Viferon;
Cycloferon;
Ribomunil;
Lycopid;
Immunal;
Polyoxidonium.

Which of them should be prescribed in each specific case, as well as everything related to the timing and pattern of their use, is determined only by the attending physician, based on the medical history and examination results.

Among the folk methods of combating pulmonary mycoses, which should act as a “second front”, giving primacy to pharmacology, we can mention decoctions of elderberry, thyme, adonis, and calendula. They can be used if approved by the attending physician. Without affecting the pathogenic microflora as such, they are able to strengthen the immune system and help the body cope with the disease more quickly.

If traditional methods struggles turn out to be insufficiently effective, doctors sometimes have to use radical means, which include surgery, which involves removing fungus-affected lung tissue. However, this happens quite rarely - only in the most advanced cases.

The main measure to prevent fungus in the lungs is careful adherence to hygiene rules both at home and in the workplace, as well as timely treatment of “traditional” fungal forms: skin, nail, urogenital. If all recommendations of specialists are followed, the possibility of penetration of pathogenic microflora into internal organs practically excluded.

Pulmonary candidiasis is a disease of the human bronchopulmonary system, which is caused by its infection by fungi of the genus Candida. These are mainly yeast-like fungi Candida albicans, belonging to the category of conditional pathogens.

30-80% of healthy people have candidiasis. This should be kept in mind to avoid overdiagnosis of this pathology.

The habitats of candida are skin covering and mucous membranes of each individual. Pathogenic properties begin to appear only as a result of a weakening of the body’s defenses, for example, with long-term diseases, vitamin deficiencies, prolonged use antibiotic drugs, hormonal agents, immunosuppressants. Chronic intoxication with drugs, nicotine and alcohol also contribute to candidal aggression. Pulmonary candidiasis always develops against the background of other diseases. They can be inflammation of the lung tissue of various origins, pulmonary tuberculosis, septic conditions, and suppression of hematopoiesis. With this disease, foci are formed in the lungs of the pneumonic type with an area of necrosis in the center of the foci and with fibrinous exudate in the alveoli surrounding the necrotic zone. The bronchial wall can also undergo necrosis. With further progression of the process, cavities with purulent contents form, and the lung tissue becomes fibrotic.

Symptoms of pulmonary candidiasis

Shortness of breath with little physical exertion.
Pain in chest unclear localization.
The cough is prolonged and intense, producing mucous sputum streaked with blood.
Difficulty breathing when exhaling, wheezing audible from a distance.
Tachycardia.
Drenching night sweats.
Increase in body temperature to 38 °C.

Diagnosis of pulmonary candidiasis

Complete blood count: increased number of eosinophils, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Repeated tests of urine and blood for fungi.
Sputum examination: yeast cells with signs of budding and pseudomycelia are visualized.
Research on fungal flora bronchial lavage water.
Immunological diagnostics: positive tests in candida carriers.
Bronchoscopy: fungal threads and leukocyte exudate can be observed in the lumen of the bronchial tree.
X-ray of the lungs: shadows in the form of spots, areas of intense darkening, and sometimes pleural effusion are visible.

Treatment of pulmonary candidiasis

First of all, therapy is aimed at increasing the body's defenses and eliminating intoxication. Anti-candidiasis drugs include Nystatin and Levorin. "Nystatin" is intended for internal use in severe forms, the daily dose for adults is 10-12 million units, mild forms And moderate severity- 6-8 million units per day. If there is a carriage of candida - 3-4 million units per day in repeated courses of 2-3 weeks with 3-week pauses in treatment. "Levorin" is prescribed according to a similar scheme. Aerosol inhalations of sodium salts “Nystatin” or “Levorin” are widely used in a dose of 150 thousand units in 5 ml of distilled water. A nebulizer can also be used for inhalation. If candidal pneumonia has developed, then use “Amphoglucamine” or “Mycoheptin” orally, 100 thousand units 4 times a day for 2-4 weeks. For disseminated forms of candidiasis, extensive candida pneumonia, combination of pulmonary candidiasis with other visceral localizations of mycosis, candidal sepsis resort to intravenous administration“Amphotericin B” 0.25-1 mg per 1 kg of patient’s body weight 2 times a week. The course of treatment consists of 16-20 infusions. "Amphotericin B" is also used in the form of inhalations of 25-50 mg 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Pathogenetic therapy is aimed at treating diseases that were the direct cause of the development of candidiasis: immunodeficiency states, disorders of the endocrine system. Correction immunodeficiency states carried out with drugs thymus gland, "Dekaris", "Sodium Nucleinate". When candidiasis is combined with pathological processes in the lungs bacterial etiology Combined therapy with antifungal and antibacterial drugs should be carried out.

Essential drugs

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation is required.

1	(antifungal antibiotic).

Dosage regimen: Amphotericin B is administered intravenously at the rate of 250 units/kg body weight. Pre-administer 100 units/kg (to determine individual tolerance). In the future, in the absence of side effects and if necessary, the dose can be gradually increased to 1000 U/kg. The drug is administered every other day or 1-2 times a week (due to the risk of accumulation).

The duration of treatment should be at least 4-8 weeks to avoid relapses. The total dose of Amphotericin B per course of treatment averages 1.5-2 million units (18-20 infusions).

Inhalations are prescribed 1-2 times/day. lasting up to 15-20 minutes. in doses of 50,000 units (10 ml) per inhalation, which corresponds to a daily dose of 1000-2000 units/kg of patient body weight.

When using inhalers that work only on inhalation, the single dose is reduced to 25,000 units (5 ml). The duration of treatment is 10-14 days and depends on the severity and duration of the disease. If necessary, a repeat course is prescribed after a 7-10 day break.

Dosage regimen: intravenous drip at a rate of no more than 200 mg/hour. The daily dose of fluconazole depends on the nature and severity of the fungal infection. When converting from intravenous administration to tablets and vice versa, there is no need to change daily dose. For candidemia, disseminated candidiasis and other invasive candidal infections, the dose is, on average, 400 mg on the first day, and then 200 mg/day. In case of insufficient clinical effectiveness the dose of fluconazole can be increased to 400 mg/day. Used internally in the same dosage. The duration of therapy depends on clinical effectiveness.

Dosage regimen: parenterally Voriconazole is administered only as an infusion at a rate of no more than 3 mg/kg/h for 1-2 hours. The solution cannot be administered intravenously. For adults, Voriconazole is prescribed intravenously on the first day at the recommended saturating dose in order to achieve voriconazole plasma concentrations close to equilibrium on the first day of therapy. A loading dose of 6 mg/kg every 12 hours on the first day. Then switch to a maintenance dose (after the first 24 hours) of 4 mg/kg every 12 hours. The duration of therapy depends on clinical effect and the results of mycological research.

The drug is taken orally 1 hour before or 1 hour after meals at a dose of 400 mg every 12 hours on the first day. Then switch to a maintenance dose (after the first 24 hours) of 200 mg every 12 hours. The duration of therapy depends on the clinical effect and the results of mycological examination.

Bacterial infections are more dangerous - purulent bronchitis and pneumonia. Without antibacterial treatment in this case it is difficult to get by. However, fungal infections are the most severe. This disease is common name"mycosis of the lungs"

Classification

Mycosis of the lungs is a group of different diseases that are united by the fact that they are caused by pathogenic fungi.

There are several principles for dividing these diseases. First of all, mycoses are divided into primary and secondary. The first group includes diseases that first arose in the unchanged lung. Secondary mycoses occur against the background of another disease, for example, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and so on.

Mycoses of the lungs are:

Isolated - only the tissue of the respiratory organ is affected.
Combined - simultaneous inflammation in other organs - trachea, liver, and so on.

Based on the origin of the microbe, they are divided into:

Endogenous. In this case, the fungus enters the lung from another organ, where it is present normally, but when immunity is reduced, it causes disease.
Exogenous. Usually caused by absolutely pathogenic fungi that penetrate the lungs from the external environment.

Another division of mycoses involves the isolation of a specific pathogen, that is, the immediate cause.

Causes

Speaking about the mechanisms of development of pulmonary mycosis, it is worth saying that for the appearance of the disease, not only the pathogen itself (the cause) is necessary, but also additional predisposing factors.

The latter include:

Diabetes mellitus - with this disease, the immune system and blood flow in the lung suffer, so they easily develop fungal diseases.
Airborne poisoning. In this condition, it is disrupted protective system integumentary epithelium of the lungs, so fungi easily cause inflammation.
AIDS and congenital immunodeficiency - these diseases lead to depression cellular immunity. Lymphocytes cannot adequately protect organ tissue, so fungi actively multiply.
Radiotherapy - often used in the treatment of lung cancer radiation therapy. In addition to the tumor, this method of exposure also suppresses normal immune cells lungs and can become a factor in the development of serious diseases.
Treatment with antibiotics - for the treatment of pneumonia, chronic bronchitis or other inflammatory diseases, antibacterial agents are used. They kill not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria for our body. Under these conditions, fungi are activated.
Systemic use of hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs and cytostatics. The drugs suppress the immune system and contribute to the development of fungal inflammation.

These conditions are factors in the development of the disease. Immediate cause mycosis are pathogenic fungi. Most often the disease is caused by:

Each of these microbes is unique, but mycoses also have common features.

Symptoms

Any fungal disease of the lungs can easily be confused with bacterial pneumonia. Manifestations of the disease are divided into general (intoxication syndrome) and local (catarrhal syndrome).

If the doctor suspects a fungus in the lungs, symptoms of intoxication are present quite often:

Temperature increase. Fever develops gradually and rarely immediately has high temperatures, as with pneumonia.
Weakness, fatigue, nausea - usual symptoms intoxication.
Headache occurs due to increased temperature and intoxication syndrome.
Pale skin, cyanosis - blueness of the skin.
At severe course respiratory and cardiovascular failure is detected.
Acid-base balance disorders.

Local manifestations vary depending on the pathogen. Lung fungus, symptoms of individual diseases:

Aspergillosis, mold: cough, hemoptysis, dry or moist wheezing in a separate area of the lung. When aspergilloma disintegrates, sputum or cough with copious deposition of pus may appear.
Candidiasis: profuse cough with whitish sputum, often simultaneous fungal infection of the pharynx, tongue, trachea and bronchi.
Actinomycosis: cough with greenish sputum, sharp pain in the lung. Damage to intercostal nerves and ganglia.
Coccidioidosis: often a primary disseminated process, bilateral wheezing, cough, severe intoxication, extracellular foci of infection.
Cryptococcosis: subacute course, reminiscent of clinical tuberculosis. Without additional diagnostic methods, it is difficult to make a diagnosis.

The listed symptoms of individual diseases do not always occur. Diagnostic methods can help you figure out the problem.

Diagnostics

Fungal infections of the lungs are diagnosed using laboratory and instrumental techniques.

Instrumental studies that help detect fungal lung diseases:

Radiography is the simplest and most common method for diagnosing the disease. The pulmonary pattern shows foci of darkening, which have specific features for each type of infection.
CT scan - The best way discover fungal infection lungs. This method has the greatest reliability and high resolution. Allows you to take layer-by-layer images of different levels of the lung.
Bronchoscopy - insertion of a camera into the lumen of the bronchus. During the manipulation, not only are the respiratory tract visible, but also a section of tissue is taken for microbiological examination.

Mycosis of the lungs helps to suspect and laboratory methods diagnostics:

A general blood test reveals usual signs inflammation.
Biochemical blood test and general urine test do not show any specific changes.
Microbiological diagnostics plays a key role. Culture of sputum or bronchoscopy material allows accurate identification of the pathogen.
PCR and serological tests are used to diagnose some diseases.

When the diagnosis is made and the causative agent of the disease is detected, the doctor can begin specific treatment.

Treatment

The mistake of adherents of self-medication is the use of exclusively symptomatic, folk or antibacterial remedies in the treatment of mycosis. Using antibiotics will only harm a patient with this disease. To eliminate the cause of the disease, specific antifungal drugs are used:

Aspergillosis is treated with levorin, amphotericin B, amphoclucosamine. If the focus of infection is organized in the form of aspergilloma, then it must be removed surgically using lung resection.
Candidiasis is treated exclusively conservatively with levorin and amphotericin.
Pulmonary actinomycosis has specific treatment. For this purpose, sulfonamides, penicillin, streptomycin and other drugs are used.
Coccidioidosis is treated with amphotericin, amphoglucamine, and ketoconazole.
Histoplasmosis is most often treated with amphoglucamine.

If a specific pathogen cannot be identified, the most broad antifungal drugs are used.

Symptomatic treatment is carried out using the following means:

Antipyretics - when the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - for chest pain.
Bronchodilators - in the presence of an obstructive component and shortness of breath.
Mucolytics - to thin sputum and relieve cough.
Antitussive - for dry, unproductive cough without sputum.

An individual treatment plan is selected in each specific case by the attending physician.

Folk remedies

Methods are extremely common among our population traditional treatment. This method of therapy is acceptable in the absence of contraindications and a threat to the patient’s life. For mycoses, you can use folk remedies, but only as a symptomatic treatment method and together with medications prescribed by a doctor.

The following recipes help alleviate the condition:

Collection of black elderberry, fennel and angelica. Makes it easier general state and helps with the removal of sputum.
Hemlock, walnut, celandine and colchicum collection. Relieves intoxication, dilates bronchi, improves immunity.
Nettle decoction helps with canidamicosis. Take one glass orally three times a day.

Apply the above and others folk recipes only after consultation with a specialist.

Prevention

There are no specific measures to prevent fungal lung diseases. Unfortunately, no vaccines have been developed against these microorganisms.

To prevent infection you need:

Treat respiratory diseases only after a full diagnosis.
Use antibiotics in short courses and specifically against a specific microbe.
When treating with corticosteroids and cytostatics, regularly perform chest x-rays.
Do not skip fluorography once every 2 years.
Treat chronic respiratory diseases in a timely manner.
Eat right, stay in the fresh air, avoid hypothermia.

Simple rules of prevention help avoid serious illness.

Fungal infection of the lungs

Fungus in the lungs is quite rare and is often confused with other serious lung diseases. This is a serious and dangerous disease that requires urgent treatment. In advanced forms, it causes severe consequences and causes deaths. Fungal lung disease is difficult to recognize because it causes identical symptoms to tuberculosis and pneumonia, but is treated with completely different medications.

Causes of the disease

Fungal infection of the lungs is a difficult to cure disease and is caused by the fact that the lungs are infected with yeast fungi of the genus Candida. They are permanent and safe for a healthy person, residents of our skin. Candida fungi become dangerous when immunity decreases. The causes of decreased immunity are constant stressful situations, antibiotics and vitamin deficiency. Mycotic infection of the lungs and upper respiratory tract is dangerous for everyone; the fungus affects both adults and children. People who are sick have an increased risk of becoming infected:

HIV infection;
diseases of the endocrine system;
AIDS;
cancerous tumors;
tuberculosis;
diabetes mellitus;
serious chronic diseases.

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Symptoms of the disease

Fungal infection of the lungs occurs in people with sharply reduced protective reactions of the body.

In the secondary stages of the disease, the presence of abscesses and thickened chaff in the lungs is observed. When the lungs are infected with a fungus, changes begin in the bronchi and the ribs become deformed. The patient complains of increased pain. The formation of fistulous tracts and the discharge of pus become visible on his skin. In it, as in sputum, doctors detect fungal spores during analysis. Fungi that infect the lungs are located in the lower part of one of them. The disease takes a long time to develop and constantly progresses.

Pulmonary mycoses have their own obvious signs - this is a deterioration in the patient’s condition after taking antibiotics and the absence of wheezing in the lungs.

The symptoms of the disease are initially difficult to distinguish from a common cold, so a fungal infection of the lungs remains without proper treatment until the patient develops pronounced symptoms in the form of subcutaneous infiltrates, fistulous tracts, exhaustion of the body, the development of cachexia and intoxication. Advanced cases of this disease lead to death.

Symptoms of aspergillosis

Diagnosis of fungus in the lungs

To select effective medications, it is important that the disease is diagnosed as early as possible. An analysis of sputum released during coughing or necrotic masses from fistulous tracts is carried out. To confirm the diagnosis, a lung puncture is performed through the skin. Under a microscope, the spores of the fungus that causes the disease become visible. This type of analysis will help determine the genus of mushrooms. A test for bacterial culture of pus from fistulous tracts is considered reliable. This is how the presence of mushrooms is determined and an effective medicine is used to cure them. The use of X-ray examination is not recommended, since it is ineffective in the early stages of the disease and because of it, the presence of chronic pneumonia, abscess, tumor or tuberculosis is erroneously diagnosed. In the later stages of the disease, when examining the image, changes in the ribs, chaff and bronchial tree become noticeable. Aspergillosis in the respiratory tract is diagnosed in the same way as pulmonary candidiasis.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment for fungus takes a long time. A set of antimycotic agents and antibiotics is used. When the disease has become chronic, they are used in the form of injections. Antibiotics are selected by acting on the grown colonies of fungi from the samples taken. Inhalations are added to achieve better results and immunostimulants are prescribed, which help the body produce antibodies that fight fungal infections. Vitamin complexes and a special low-carbohydrate diet are prescribed. Doctors select the optimal treatment, especially when the disease is detected in a child.

Drug therapy

"Nystatin";
"Levorin."

"Amphotericin B";
"Diflucan";
"Itrakon";
"Orungal."

"Levamisole";
"Tactivin";
"Timogen".

ethnoscience

Not a single traditional medicine recipe can cure lung fungus on its own. Treatment with folk remedies is carried out only in conjunction with taking medications.

Radish with honey helps to effectively resist infections.

Traditional medicine recipes will boost the patient’s immunity by reducing the intake of immunostimulants. Availability in these recipes vitamin products helps saturate the body with vitamins and increase its resistance. The herbs used are thyme, adonis, calendula and elderberry flowers. Both decoctions and syrups are made from them. Consume pine honey before meals with water. Aloe gruel with the addition of honey, badger fat and sweet wine helps get rid of a strong cough and support damaged lungs. Take it before bed, wash it down with tea. Radish helps kill fungus that attacks the lungs. Radish juice, to which honey and vodka are added, helps treat coughs. Take a spoon 2 times a day. They also use radish compresses, which are finely grated, wrapped in gauze, and applied to the lung area. Thyme, chamomile and fennel help cure cough.

Blackberry

Eating large amounts of blackberries has a beneficial effect on the body. The enzymes contained in it saturate the body with natural antiseptics and help the patient to be cured faster. It contains a substance that helps remove sputum. A tincture of blackberry leaves is also used. They also eat not only wild blackberries, because they are difficult to get. Garden blackberries are bought in stores, but they are less effective than their forest sister. Also, having a plot of land, it is grown right next to the house or in the country. Also during the season, it is prepared by grinding it with sugar and placed in a cold place for storage.

Preventive actions

To prevent a fungal infection from spreading to the lungs, it is necessary to promptly treat it in all areas, including urogenital thrush and nail fungus. If ignored and untreated, this infection spreads to the internal organs. Mycosis of the lungs is less often diagnosed in those who monitor their health and correct image life. Follow the rules of personal hygiene and carry out routine disinfection of the body. If a healthy person exhibits peeling of large areas of skin with blisters and all the treatment measures taken do not produce results, this means that a fungal infection may have settled. You need to urgently contact a specialist. To protect yourself from this infection, limit yeast bread and sweets in your diet, drink kefir instead of milk. Consume freshly squeezed juices from carrots, beets and potatoes.

The information on the site is provided for general information purposes only. We recommend that you consult your doctor for further advice and treatment.

Symptoms and treatment of fungus in the lungs

A fungus in the lungs, the symptoms of which are often confused with tuberculosis, and the treatment is quite long and difficult, is caused by the microorganism Candida. The disease can also be caused by moniliasis, oidiomycosis and other diseases. In this case, the disease can cause serious complications for the respiratory system. This disease requires immediate intervention doctor

Causes

In modern society, such an illness as a fungal disease is difficult to surprise. The fungus can settle in any area human body(skin, nails, mucous membranes). Various age categories are susceptible to the fungus, even infants can suffer from white plaque in the mouth. As a rule, it is not possible to remove ailments of this kind special labor, however, there is such a form of the disease as fungal infection of the lungs: and here the fungus takes on such a form that even a healthy athlete can turn into a helpless person in a matter of days.

Mushrooms, causing damage lungs, Candida, constantly live on the skin and mucous membranes of humans and even perform useful functions, but when weakened immune system take place on the affected area and begin to develop. Depression, prolonged use of antibiotics, and a lack of vitamins in the body can cause a weakening of the immune system and, accordingly, the development and proliferation of the fungus.

Considering the list of reasons that can cause the colonization of fungus in the lungs, it can be argued that any person can encounter this disease; 100% protection does not exist.

However, there are groups of people for whom the risk of disease increases due to the characteristics of the body.

These include patients suffering from damage to the endocrine system, HIV-infected people and people with AIDS, as well as those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (candida loves glucose, and an increase in sugar is fertile ground for them). People with chronic diseases are also at risk.

Symptoms of the disease

The onset of the disease can be confused with bronchial pneumonia. Moreover, symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever (with pneumonia the temperature is usually higher) and weakness are characteristic of both diseases. In addition, pulmonary candidiasis may be accompanied by a cough containing blood and increased sweating in the area of fungal colonization, that is, at the level of the lungs. And the fungus usually settles in the lower part of the lung.

The main difference between these two diseases is that with pulmonary candidiasis, wheezing in the bronchi cannot be detected by listening. And when the diagnosis is made incorrectly and the patient is prescribed antibiotics, he only gets worse (after all, it is often the use of antibiotics that provokes the disease). The disease is so dangerous that its prolonged course can lead to death.

Treatment of the disease

Fungal diseases of the lungs can be divided into 3 stages. At the first stage, the disease can be detected only by taking sputum and blood tests (increased leukocytes). It is worth noting that X-rays are not advisable at this stage, since such manipulation is unable to show changes in the lungs in the early stages.

IN Lately pulmonary candida began to be recognized using skin test and actinolysate (immunodiagnostic reaction).

In the second and third stages, diagnosing the disease will not be difficult for a specialist. Treatment in the later stages already causes some difficulties, especially since at the third stage the patient develops a serious complication - a fistula.

The second stage is characterized by the appearance of infiltrates (accumulation in lung tissue cells causing compaction and increase in volume of the affected area). That is, the more the patient delays treatment, the stronger the disease manifests itself and the more dangerous its manifestations.

After diagnosing and identifying the disease, the doctor first prescribes antifungal (antimycotic) drugs that can eliminate the cause of the disease. Moreover, treatment requires a whole range of medications. Along with antifungal drugs (for example, Amphotericin B, Diflucan, Itracon, Orungal), immunostimulating drugs are prescribed for treatment.

For completeness integrated approach For treatment, many experts recommend including inhalation of levorine sodium salts into therapy, which help prevent the risk of complications. If such therapy does not show positive dynamics, or does not completely relieve the symptoms of the disease, the patient is prescribed a blood transfusion.

Fungal infections of the lungs sometimes even require surgical intervention, but the operation is local and is indicated only in advanced cases.

It is more advisable for the patient to stay in a hospital setting, since such a disease requires constant monitoring by the attending physician. Deterioration of the patient's condition may require emergency measures, including artificial ventilation.

Folk methods of struggle

It’s worth mentioning right away that fungal diseases of the lungs cannot be treated with folk remedies! The only thing they can do is help herbal teas and infusions, increase immunity, the decrease of which contributes to the development of the disease. Vitamins from traditional medicine will help you cope with the disease faster and help drug therapy destroy the fungus in the lungs.

Some of the remedies in the folk medicine cabinet include elderberry, thyme, adonis, and calendula. Both the syrup and the decoction of these herbs are equally effective. The patient is also recommended to consume pine honey before meals, which should be washed down with plenty of water.

An infusion of mature aloe, crushed to a paste, helps stop the growth of fungal infections. It is necessary to add honey to aloe, badger fat and pour dessert cahors. Apply this remedy recommended at night with tea. The resulting infusion improves the general condition of the patient and increases the effectiveness of therapy.

The popularly known “healer” - radish - is also considered a good remedy to help get rid of fungus in the lungs. It can be used in the form of compresses (finely rub, heat and place on the lung area, first wrapped in gauze). You can also prepare an infusion from radish: mix its vegetable juice with honey and vodka and take a teaspoon daily.

Herbal rubs made from chamomile, thyme, fennel and other herbs can relieve some symptoms of the disease, in particular cough.

It is popularly believed that simple blackberry can overcome many lung diseases, including fungal infections. Not only does it have excellent antiseptic properties, but the berries of the plant also improve sputum discharge. And blackberry leaves, or more precisely, an infusion or decoction based on them, can be used internally.

Complications and prevention

If the disease is neglected or its source is not treated, there is a risk of changes in the lung tissue, and sclerosis or fibrosis may appear.

Respiratory failure and even sepsis are also included in the list of complications in advanced pulmonary candidiasis. As noted above, untimely treatment of the disease is fraught with death.

Timely response to the appearance of foci of fungal infections of the skin or urogenital thrush will help reduce the risk of fungal infections in the lungs.

Such seemingly harmless diseases can spread to internal organs. Such lung damage is less likely to develop in people who monitor their health and undergo routine disinfection; Following good personal hygiene further reduces the chances of getting lung fungus.

If you suspect a pulmonary fungal infection, you must immediately contact a specialist; treatment of the disease should in no case be delayed.

Self-medication in in this case can only aggravate the situation (it is easy to confuse the symptoms of diseases, and taking antibiotics for a fungal infection is contraindicated). Be healthy!

Treatment

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Fungal lung diseases are a serious health threat

Fungal lung diseases occur mainly in people with HIV and AIDS. But there is a risk of infection in people prone to cancer diseases. Scientists have confirmed that the fungus begins to develop in the respiratory organ after prolonged use of antibiotics or antibacterial drugs.

General symptoms

The location of mycosis greatly affects the symptoms. Therefore, mycosis of the lungs is accompanied by a cough. The distinctive characteristics of this cough are copious sputum production and severe pain in the area of the bronchi. Against this background, weakness and decreased motor activity occur. The X-ray shows round shadows. Sputum culture reveals a large number of a certain type of fungus. Only after this can treatment begin.

Types of pathology

In the modern classification, the following main types of disease are distinguished:

The most common diseases are aspergillosis and candidiasis, which need to be considered in more detail.

Pulmonary aspergillosis

Pulmonary aspergillosis is caused by an infection of the fungus Aspergillus. Basically, penetration into humans is achieved by inhaling fungal spores. In case of insufficient immune protection, it is carried out active development diseases with numerous formation of fungal formations. At the same time, a person’s immunity is further weakened and pneumonia or bronchitis develops in parallel.

Symptoms of respiratory aspergillosis do not always appear. Often the disease is asymptomatic, but with a serious complication, pulmonary hemorrhage is possible. Thus, if there is high temperature bodies, persistent cough accompanied by a large amount of sputum and, especially, hemoptysis - you must immediately contact medical institution to accurately identify the cause of such symptoms. A fluorographic examination of the chest area can reliably determine the disease.

Pulmonary candidiasis

The cause of pulmonary candidiasis is an infection with Candida fungi with a significant decrease in the level of immunity, mainly due to tuberculosis or pneumonia. This type mushrooms are present in many people, including healthy ones. The disease occurs under favorable conditions for the development of Candida fungi, mainly due to immunosuppressive conditions caused by numerous factors. As a result, the fungus exhibits high pathogenic activity.

You should pay attention to the following main symptoms of respiratory candidiasis:

increased body temperature;
pain in the chest area;
increased sweating;
shortness of breath with increased physical activity;
heaviness of the respiratory process, accompanied by wheezing;
cardiopalmus;
persistent cough with increased production of sputum containing bloody elements.

If there are serious signs of the disease, in order to avoid suppuration and fibrosis, you should immediately contact a pulmonologist.

Preventive measures

As a preventative measure, you should follow several rules:

Be careful in public places with high humidity (baths, saunas, showers in gyms). If possible, if you currently have a weakened immune system or feel painful weakness, then it is better to avoid them.
You should not bring unwashed hands to your face, and especially not touch the mucous membranes.
Using individual towels will help avoid infection from the patient.
Also, people with reduced immunity should avoid places that are the most likely source of fungal spread:
- old premises;
- places from increased content dust;
- rotting plants and dust;
- uncleaned ventilation systems;
- old things.
Strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene.

Modern and traditional methods of treatment

Treatment of fungal diseases of the lungs, the symptoms of which are pronounced, is a long and responsible task. Often, surgery is required to completely eradicate the infection. a long period rehabilitation. In the early stages, antibiotics and antifungal drugs are prescribed. On the background drug treatment use radiation therapy.

And if you find the symptoms indicated above, then immediately consult a pulmonologist. A competent specialist will conduct a thorough examination and, if pathology is present, prescribe effective and modern treatment.

In folk medicine, there are several recipes for the treatment of fungal diseases of the lungs, which, in combination with modern methods, will help to quickly cope with the disease. Among the medicinal plants often used are elderberry, calendula, horsetail, aspen, adonis, eucalyptus and thyme. Pine honey is used for treatment, which long time taken before meals. To stop the proliferation of a fungal infection, use an infusion of aloe. In this case, a plant is selected that is at least five years old. To relieve cough, you can use herbal rubs based on mallow, fennel, thyme and coltsfoot.

Treatment is best done in inpatient conditions, as qualified assistance may be required. In some cases you have to do artificial ventilation respiratory organ. The outcome of therapy depends on timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Lung infections

There are many infectious diseases that affect the lungs. They often arise as a result of complications of other diseases, sometimes as independent diseases. They may affect one or both lobes of the lung.

In case of bronchopneumonia - complications acute bronchitis, the bronchi are also affected. Systemic disease, influenza, emphysema, diabetes, cancer, and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract are favorable factors for infectious lesions of the lungs.

Lung infections often occur as a result of complications of other diseases

Types of infectious lung diseases

Pulmonary infections, depending on the type of pathogen, are divided into:

fungal, the causes of which are aspergillus - mold fungi, or candida - yeast-like fungi;
bacterial, caused by various bacteria - streptococci, pneumococci, sometimes intestinal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, plague and Pfeiffer bacillus;
viral, caused by various viruses.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections of the lungs - fungal pneumonia, can occur as a result of a person inhaling mold-containing air, or eating contaminated foods molds. Therefore, staying in damp, unventilated rooms, the walls of which may be strewn with mold spores, is contraindicated for people with weak immunity. If mold suddenly appears on the products, it must be carefully cut out; if this is not possible, it is better to throw away the affected product. Even more often, it occurs when Candida fungi, which are constantly present on the mucous membranes, are activated. They begin to multiply intensively and infect various organs with weakened immunity.

A fungal infection of the lungs primarily affects people with chronic diseases respiratory organs - asthmatics. Women who have inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, pregnant women, and people with a kidney transplant are susceptible to it. Older patients and children suffer from the disease more often. The impetus for the disease can be tonsillitis, caries, proper nutrition, long-term use of antibiotics, many of which kill beneficial bacteria, weakening protective forces body. The use of eye and ear ointments and drops with antibacterial action, broad-spectrum drugs also contributes to the development of the disease.

Bacterial and viral infections

Often bacterial infection lung disease manifests itself under the influence of factors that adversely affect well-being: hypothermia, drafts, great physical and psychological stress, severe intoxication. At the same time, microbes that live in large quantities in the upper respiratory tract are activated, which leads to pneumonia. In case of viral infection, staying at home for a long time, without access fresh air, smoking, alcohol, and taking immunosuppressants increases the likelihood of the disease manifesting itself.

Symptoms

The most obvious signs of pneumonia are sudden sharp increase fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, cough. The symptoms of pneumonia caused by different pathogens are slightly different. With a bacterial infection, the temperature immediately rises sharply, severe chills, weakness, headache, shallow breathing. When you cough, you produce phlegm Brown. Due to insufficient oxygen supply, bluish lips may occur.

Viral pneumonia is considered the simplest and most treatable form. It is characterized by symptoms of a cold, fever, chest pain and cough. Fungal pneumonia has similar symptoms. Some people have heavy sweating, aching joints. Sometimes on initial stage the signs are not obvious. A person may not be aware of the emerging serious illness, and this is revealed during an x-ray examination.

Diagnostics

Questioning the patient, measuring temperature, listening to the lungs using a stethoscope is carried out by the doctor during the patient’s initial visit. To accurately diagnose the disease, it is necessary x-rays, on which even in the absence visible signs darkening will be visible, indicating the development of the disease. If there is a fungal infection, Aspergillus colonies will also be visible in the image. In some cases, laboratory tests are performed on sputum samples to determine the true culprit of the disease.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of disease. If the disease is viral, the following is indicated:

strict bed rest;
drinking plenty of fluids is better cranberry juice, raspberry tea, birch sap;
a diet that includes vegetable soups, water-based cereals, boiled vegetables and fish, fruits;
taking painkillers, expectorants and in case of strong increase temperature - antipyretics.

The bacterial nature of the disease requires more serious treatment. The patient may be hospitalized to undergo antibiotic treatment under medical supervision. The effect of the chosen antibiotic should be visible within a day. If the chosen drug does not have the desired effect, another is prescribed. At protracted current disease, the drug should be changed every 5-6 days of treatment. IN severe cases Oxygen may be prescribed. After severe symptoms have been relieved, physiotherapeutic procedures may be prescribed. Nutritious food, mustard plasters, cupping and other types of heating help to heal quickly.

Fungal pneumonia is treated antifungal drugs. Vitamins, restorative procedures, and any means that enhance immunity are indicated. Antibiotics are contraindicated for fungal pneumonia. Cases where a whole colony of aspergillus is found in the lungs are considered difficult, the danger of which is the spread of the fungus through the blood throughout the body. Severe damage to the heart, kidneys, brain, bones can be the consequences of this spread. Therefore, in the most difficult cases surgical removal of mycetoma - colony of Aspergillus - is used.

Prevention

There is a vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia. It is recommended for the elderly and chronically ill. People who are not at risk are not usually vaccinated. Viral infection can be avoided by getting vaccinated against influenza type A. Avoiding staying in damp rooms affected by mold fungi and eating mold-contaminated foods will help avoid one of the types of fungal infections.

To prevent the development of the disease, multivitamins, biostimulants, and immunocorrectors are prescribed. Healthy image life, active physical exercise, exercises, breathing exercises, proper nutrition, refusal of all kinds bad habits– all means that strengthen the immune system will help you avoid catching a lung infection.

Are fungal infections of the lungs curable?

Candidiasis, fungal infections of the lungs, are quite common. The causative agents of this disease are yeast-like fungi moniliasis, oidiomycosis, candidiasis.

Types of fungal infection of the lungs

Fungal infections of the lungs include:

aspergillosis;
candidiasis;
coccidioidomycosis;
blastomycosis;
histoplasmosis;
paracoccidioidomycosis;
cryptococcosis;
sporotrichosis;
mucormycosis;
other lesions.

Why does infection occur?

The fungi Candida albicans are quite widespread in nature and in the environment, surrounding a person. The causes of the disease are not very clear. We can say with certainty that the decisive role in the onset of the disease is given to the reduced resistance of the body due to severe long-term diseases, vitamin deficiencies, etc.

Pulmonary candidiasis in last years became infected more often. This can be related to long-term treatment antibiotics with wide range actions, combinations of antibiotics. It is believed that this suppresses normal flora respiratory tract, which is an antagonist of the fungus.

Sometimes the diagnosis of candidiasis is made without proper grounds. It is necessary to distinguish the clinical syndrome of candidiasis, which is associated with inflammatory, reactive, focal changes lungs or simply the presence of candida in the sputum (carriage factor), which does not give any clinical manifestation.

How does fungal infection of the lungs manifest?

A pulmonary disease that occurs as a result of infection with fungi, usually does not have any characteristic features, usually occurs in the form of prolonged bronchopneumonia. There are no characteristic radiological symptoms. The disease may look like a sluggish suppurative process. If candidiasis is associated with another pulmonary disease, it is very difficult to recognize it.

How is fungal infection of the lungs diagnosed?

To establish a diagnosis, they look at damage to the mucous membranes (gingivitis, thrush, stomatitis); but the assessment of laboratory data is usually difficult, since fungi that can be found in sputum can be transferred there and from the oral cavity. It is necessary to carry out repeated repeated examinations of sputum, urine tests for fungi, and culture of sputum on special nutrient media.

Is fungal infection of the lungs curable?

If the disease is recognized early, the underlying disease progresses favorably and the prognosis for recovery is quite favorable. In advanced cases, in patients who usually have reduced reactivity, cure is difficult.

How is fungal infection of the lungs treated?

nystatin;
other specific drugs;
treatment takes place in courses;
restorative treatment;
multivitamin therapy;
blood transfusion;
iodine therapy;
sulfonamides - if necessary.

Antibiotics are usually not used.

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