Recently, respiratory infectious diseases are at high risk. Many people around us have been infected with “H1N1”. Whether you have just been infected or have just recovered, you must pay special attention!
Can influenza also cause “mold” in the lungs?
Some time ago, Mr. Zhu, 52 years old, went to the hospital for “chest tightness and shortness of breath for 7 days” and was diagnosed with H1N1. However, after some treatment, the condition did not improve, but worsened. The patient was urgently transferred to the emergency department of Jiading Branch of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.
When admitted to the hospital, Mr. Zhu’s condition was very critical, with persistent high fever, acute respiratory failure, electrolyte imbalance, shock, etc. After emergency tracheal intubation in the rescue room, Director Lu Yiming of the Emergency Department immediately admitted the patient to the emergency intensive care unit for further treatment.
The patient weighed nearly 300 pounds. At that time, the blood pressure was only 60/40 mmHg even with a large dose of pressor drugs, the heart rate was as high as 150 beats/min, the whole body was spotted, the limbs were cold, the blood sugar was 22mmol/l, and the blood gas analysis pH: 6.9, indicating severe acidosis (normal value 7.35~7.45), shock.
In view of such a critical condition, the attending physician quickly grasped the current key points: diabetic ketoacidosis, septic shock, influenza A virus pneumonia, etc., and initiated comprehensive treatment such as goal-oriented fluid resuscitation, blood sugar control, continuous blood renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and acid-base balance regulation. At the same time, pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output monitoring (PICCO) and bedside cardiac ultrasound were performed to monitor cardiac function and guide fluid resuscitation.
After initial treatment by the emergency intensive care unit medical team, Mr. Zhu’s ketoacidosis and septic shock showed signs of improvement, but the patient’s condition was still not optimistic: how to control severe pneumonia and acute respiratory failure became the main contradiction.
After carefully analyzing the condition and imaging examination, Director Lu highly suspected that Mr. Zhu might have invasive pulmonary aspergillosis infection. He immediately arranged for bedside fiber bronchoscopy and alveolar lavage fluid to check for pathogens, and finally found the “real culprit” – influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA). Then he immediately adjusted the treatment plan for the patient and started antifungal treatment.
After nearly 1 month of treatment in the emergency intensive care unit, Mr. Zhu’s condition gradually stabilized and he was discharged from the hospital.
Can the lungs also mold?
The answer is yes! Moreover, this kind of moldy hair is extremely destructive to lung tissue, which can hollow out the lungs in a short period of time, making it particularly difficult to treat.
What is influenza combined with pulmonary aspergillosis?
Aspergillus is a fungus that is listed as a first-class carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Its toxicity is 68 times that of arsenic. It is widely found in fungi in the natural environment. It can be found in soil, air, and rotten vegetation. Aspergillus can be divided into three common types: Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus. The infection caused by Aspergillus in clinical practice is called aspergillosis. Under normal circumstances, our immune system can resist the invasion of Aspergillus.
However, when the human body’s immunity is low, such as after influenza virus infection, Aspergillus may “take advantage of the opportunity” to destroy respiratory ciliated cells, invade the lungs and spread rapidly, causing various clinical symptoms, which is very harmful to health and even life-threatening.
Why are influenza patients prone to Aspergillus infection?
1. The influenza virus damages the respiratory mucosa, creating conditions for the invasion of Aspergillus.
2. Influenza causes a decrease in immunity and weakens the body’s resistance to Aspergillus.
3. Some influenza patients use glucocorticoids, which may also increase the risk of Aspergillus infection.
4. Patients with underlying diseases, including immunosuppressive states and chronic respiratory diseases, chronic liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, solid tumors, blood system tumors and other underlying diseases.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of influenza combined with Aspergillus infection are similar to those of ordinary influenza, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. However, if the following situations occur, you need to be highly vigilant:
1. Continuous high fever does not subside, and conventional antipyretic drugs are not effective.
2. Coughing worsens, and symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing appear.
3. Coughing up bloody or brown sputum.
4. Symptoms of sinusitis such as nasal congestion, purulent rhinorrhea, and facial pain appear.
How to prevent influenza combined with Aspergillus infection?
1. Actively prevent influenza: get a flu vaccine, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask, and avoid crowded places. 2. Enhance immunity: get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise moderately.
3. Keep the environment clean and dry: open windows regularly for ventilation and avoid contact with moldy and spoiled items.
4. Use drugs rationally: avoid abusing antibiotics and glucocorticoids.
Be careful of “adding insult to injury” during the flu season
Everyone must pay attention to protection
Be wary of influenza combined with Aspergillus infection.
Finally, here are some tips. After recovering from a cold, cough or pneumonia, it is recommended to do some exercises that help train lung function, such as taking deep breaths for 30 seconds, or using a Respiratory exerciser/ breathing trainer to train lung breathing.
Dailymag supply verious Respiratory exerciser/ breathing trainer
English 
Arabic 
German 
Spanish 
French 
Portuguese