Grey hepatization/late consolidation occurs 2 to 3 days following red hepatization and lasts for 4 to 8 days. The lung appears gray with liver-like consistency due to fibrinopurulent exudate, progressive disintegration of red blood cells, and hemosiderin. The macrophages begin to appear.
Grey hepatization is an avascular stage, meaning that there is a lack of blood vessels in the tissue of the lungs. During this stage, the lungs take on a grayish color.
Red hepatization is when there are red blood cells, neutrophils, and fibrin in the pulmonary alveolus/ alveoli; it precedes gray hepatization, where the red cells have been broken down leaving a fibrinosuppurative exudate. The main cause is lobar pneumonia.
Pneumonia has four distinct stages of infection: Congestion, red hepatization, gray hepatization, and resolution.
Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus may be severe and sometimes fatal. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies; however, there are almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. This pneumonia is most serious in people who have pre-existing heart or lung disease and pregnant women.
"Pneumonia is a serious illness that can take quite a toll on a person's lungs and body. It can take anywhere from a week to several months to fully recover from it," says Dr. Rayman Lee, pulmonologist at Houston Methodist.
Grey hepatization/late consolidation occurs 2 to 3 days following red hepatization and lasts for 4 to 8 days. The lung appears gray with liver-like consistency due to fibrinopurulent exudate, progressive disintegration of red blood cells, and hemosiderin.
Viruses that infect the respiratory tract may cause pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is often mild and goes away on its own within a few weeks. But sometimes it is serious enough that you need to get treatment in a hospital. If you have viral pneumonia, you are at risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia.
Mycoplasma Pneumonia, commonly referred to as “Walking Pneumonia” is the mildest form of this illness. In fact, walking pneumonia often goes undiagnosed because individuals may assume it is a common cold.
Smoke can make your symptoms worse. Smoking also increases your risk of developing pneumonia and other lung problems in the future. You should also avoid lit fireplaces or other areas where the air may not be clean. Stay home from school or work until your symptoms go away.
When to go to the ER with pneumonia. Anyone who is having trouble breathing or other severe symptoms should immediately be taken to the ER. Additionally, people in these groups who are experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms should come to the ER: Infants and small children.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The infection causes the lungs' air sacs (alveoli) to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus.
Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
Walking pneumonia is a milder form of pneumonia. Their symptoms are similar, but walking pneumonia has a low fever and a cough that doesn't produce phlegm (dry cough). Pneumonia has a higher fever (101 to 105 degrees F, or 38 to 40 degrees C) and a cough that produces phlegm (wet or productive cough).
Get plenty of rest and sleep. You may feel weak and tired for a while, but your energy level will improve with time. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. Choose water and other clear liquids.
What does a pneumonia cough sound like? This will depend on the type of pneumonia you have and be either a dry or chesty cough. Bacterial pneumonia is more serious and often results in a gurgling sound when breathing and mucus or phlegm when coughing.
If your pneumonia isn't treated, the pleura can get swollen, creating a sharp pain when you breathe in. If you don't treat the swelling, the area between the pleura may fill with fluid, which is called a pleural effusion. If the fluid gets infected, it leads to a problem called empyema.
If you're otherwise healthy, you can recover quickly from pneumonia when you get prompt care. However, pneumonia can be life-threatening if left untreated, especially if you have an underlying health condition. Even people who've been successfully treated and have fully recovered may face long-term health issues.
The third stage of pneumonia is gray hepatization, which is when the red blood cells that moved to the lungs to help fight the infection begin to disintegrate. When the red blood cells are active in stage two, the lungs have a reddish appearance, but once they disintegrate, the lungs take on a gray color.
How to get a good night's sleep with a pneumonia diagnosis? Sleeping with your head elevated can reduce coughing and improve breathing. Use an extra pillow or a wedge pillow to elevate your head and chest while sleeping. Dehydration can make pneumonia symptoms worse and make it harder to sleep.
Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips. Symptoms may vary in certain populations.
You'll likely start to feel better and have some symptom relief one to three days after you start your pneumonia treatment, but it may take a week or more for your symptoms to go away completely. Taking your medication as prescribed, especially for antibiotics, is incredibly important.