The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-02-15
Your Health
Inflammation of
Lungs May be Due
to Virus

Lungs AA ay NC Luz
to Virus
By HERMAN BUNDDSEN. NJ. I
THERE are different kinds Of
pneumonia. By that we mean some
are due TO germs such as the
pneumococcus. Other pneumonias
may be produced by streptoeoccus
germs.
Recently, we have discovered
that there is another type Of pneu-
monia or inflammation Of the
lungs that is caused by q virus.
A virus is an organism so small
that il can pass through q porce-
lain filter. Many cases Of virus
pneumonia developed among the
armed forces, but it seems that il
is also quite common in the civilian
population.
Starts With Headache
Virus pneumonia often starts
with headache affecting the back
part Of the head. Then there may
be some dizziness. The patient also
suffers from weakness and is ex-
hausted in the evening. Some pain
may develop in the chest under
the breastbone, the pain becoming
worse after exercise. Pains in the
abdomen may be accompanied by
sickness Of the stomach, vomiting
and diarrhea.
After even slight exercise, the
patient is short of breath. He may
also complain Of nervousness and
sleeplessness. Generalized aching,
slight cough and some fever my
occur in some patients.
During the early stages Of the
disease the patients face often has
q blanched look. There may be a
bad odor to the breath. On physi-
cal examination, rales may be
heard in the chest. These are alb
normal sounds which occur during
breathing due to the collection Of
fluids in the small tubes, or bron-
hi in the lungs.
X-ray Examination
An X-ray examination may be
helpful in making a diagnosis. At
the beginning Of the disease, there
may be some increase in the num-
Der Of white cells in the blood but
after a period Of bed rest the bloc
count drops to normal.
Insofar as the treatment Of
virus pneumonia is concerned, ac-
cording to DR.. Grover C. Dale of
North Carolina, X-ray treatments
which he tried on thirty patients
did not seem to have any particu-
lar benefit. Children and young
adults, with proper rest, seem to
recover more quickly than do
older persons.
Vitamin Preparations
DR.. Dale favors the giving OF
vitamin preparations particularly
If there Ia loss Of appetite. Many
Of the patients require sedativs
or quieting drugs for sleeping.
After the patient begins to sit up,
sunlight is helpful. ultraviolet
ray treatments also may be Of
some aid. Rest seems to be one of
the most important parts Of the
treatment.
Often these patients with virus
pneumonia must remain in bed for
from six to eight weeks, since
activity seems to increase their
discomfort. DR.. Dale favors keep
ing a check on the progress Of the
disease with X-rays Of the chest
and the making of white blood-cell
counts. When the X-ray shows that
the Inflammation in the lungs has
cleared up, and the white count
10 normal he allows the patients
10 be up and about.
A great deal Of further study Of
this disease is needed to deter
mine It's exact nature and to find
some treatment which may over
come II.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
D.F.: / have been bothered with
a skin disease on my hands, arms,
face and neck for two years. /
break out with a rash that oozes
and itehes. Will YOU give me some