The incidence of viral pneumonia has increased during the past decade. The increase primarily is because of improved diagnostic techniques and the growing population of patients who are immunocompromised (Dreher, 1997). In the past, the diagnosis of viral pneumonia was made essentially on clinical grounds. All pneumonias were labeled atypical if a bacterial pathogen could not be

Germs are spread both by aerosolized droplets that are breathed in, such as from a sneeze, and through body fluids left on surfaces like counter tops and door handles. Avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing, and washing hands frequently can reduce the chances of catching a virus. Fluids and rest during bouts of the common cold can help prevent progression to pneumonia. Travel to endemic areas can increase your chances of developing influenza or SARS. Getting a flu shot every fall, reduces the chances of getting influenza pneumonia. If a patient has never had chickenpox, a vaccine is available to prevent it. This reduces the chances of getting varicella pneumonia (Lauffenberg, 1994).

Patients with the greatest risk for severe disease are the elderly, patients whose immune systems are compromised, due to HIV or organ transplants, and those with underlying chronic illnesses. Certain medications, such as steroids, can also increase susceptibility of acquiring pneumonia in a patient. Viruses are also the most frequent cause of pneumonia in children, especially those with heart defects. Some patients have few, if any, physical signs or symptoms other than mild fever, while other patients may have respiratory failure. Other symptoms that may be present upon onset of viral pneumonia are: cough, headache, muscular stiffness and aching, shortness of breath, chills, sweating, fatigue, and sore throat. Conjunctivitis may also be a sign of viral pneumonia, although this symptom usually occurs when adenovirus is the culprit.

Most people get well quickly with no damage to the lungs. The prognosis is good in the vast majority of patients, but it is guarded in elderly or immunocompromised patients. Some healthy patients may have severe disease with increased morbidity and mortality. Many patien

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