What are the early symptoms of white lung?
Feb 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Early symptoms of white lung typically include coughing, phlegm production, shortness of breath, fever, and chest pain. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. In the early stages of white lung, inflammatory lesions and localized edema in the lungs may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to a dry or severe cough. This type of cough is a common response to lung inflammation, aiming to clear secretions and pathogens from the airways.
Early symptoms of white lung typically include coughing, sputum production, difficulty breathing, fever, and chest pain. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Cough: In the early stages of white lung, inflammatory lesions and localized edema in the lungs may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to a dry or severe cough. This cough is a common response to lung inflammation and helps clear secretions and pathogens from the airways. As the disease progresses, cough may be accompanied by sputum production, and the nature of the sputum may vary depending on the type of infection.
2. Sputum production: Pulmonary inflammation may cause congestion and formation of inflammatory substances, resulting in sputum production. The sputum is usually thick and may vary in color depending on the type of infection—for example, bacterial infections may produce yellow, thick sputum, while viral infections may present as a dry cough without sputum.
3. Difficulty breathing: As the inflammation progresses, damage to lung tissue impairs gas exchange function, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath and rapid breathing. In mild cases of white lung, difficulty breathing may only occur during strenuous activity, but as the condition worsens, it may also occur at rest.
4. Fever: Early in white lung, pathogen infection triggers an immune response, causing the body to release endogenous pyrogens, which elevate body temperature. The immune response to pulmonary inflammation leads to fever. The severity may vary among individuals; some patients with high fever may also experience chills, sweating, muscle aches, or seizures.
5. Fatigue: Persistent coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing increase the body's energy consumption, while pulmonary inflammation causes insufficient oxygen supply, placing the body in a state of hypoxia and slowing metabolism. These factors together cause patients to feel physically exhausted, weak, and even drowsy.
In terms of treatment, white lung patients can take medications such as Acyclovir tablets, Valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets, or Cefixime dispersible tablets under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.
