Atypical Pneumonia in the ICU

Abstract

The lungs are the essential organs of respiration. The pleura is a serous membrane arranged as a closed invaginated sac. The visceral or pulmonary pleura adheres closely to the surface of the lung and its interlobar fissures. Its continuation, the parietal pleura, lines the corresponding half of the thoracic wall and covers much of the diaphragm and structures occupying the middle region of the thorax. Respiration includes two processes: external respiration, the absorption of O2 and removal of CO2 from the body as a whole; and internal respiration, the utilization of O2 and production of CO2 by cells and the gaseous exchanges between the cells and their fluid medium. The purpose of the respiratory system is to perform gas exchange. Pulmonary ventilation provides air to the alveoli for this gas exchange process. Pulmonary ventilation is the act of breathing, which can be described as the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Pneumonia is defined as acute infection of the lung parenchyma with acute respiratory infection symptoms and ausculatatory and radiological signs. Atypical pneumonia, caused by atypical pathogens characterized by a subacute onset, prominent constitutional symptoms, dry cough, more extensive radiographic involvement than physical examination, low-moderate grade fever, absent or moderate leukocytosis. Atypical pathogens may also be accused of causing other respiratory and probably non-respiratory diseases.