Viral pneumonia begins to develop after a latent period of the course of infection, which is from two to six days. At the beginning of the development of viral pneumonia, an unproductive cough occurs; At the beginning of the development of the disease, body temperature does not go beyond the norm, but after it rises to thirty-eight degrees. Cough becomes more intense and moist, rhinitis develops. 

With viral pneumonia, hyperemia is noted in the throat. At the first stage of the development of viral pneumonia, in particular during the course of the disease in children, manifestations of difficulty in respiratory activity are noted, which are manifested in frequent breathing and non-intense cyanosis.

When examining lung tissue, it is possible to establish the presence of dry and wet rales, sometimes supplemented by bronchial breathing. On an X-ray examination, emphysema of the lung tissue and the manifestation of a clear vascular pattern on the basal region are established.

High temperature does not subside for about five days. But if an infant is ill with viral pneumonia , then the course of the underlying disease is usually exacerbated by an addition in the form of an asthmatic syndrome, which is usually considered a concomitant pathology for respiratory pneumonia. 

Diagnosis of viral pneumonia, as well as other varieties of pneumococcal infection, is based on the results of laboratory tests, serology and virology tests, which prove an increase in the number of antibodies in the blood.

As a rule, diseases such as influenza pneumonia, SARS, and ornithosis are ranked as viral pneumonia.

Pneumonia of influenza origin is caused by viral damage to lung tissue. Flu pneumonia occurs with the wide spread of influenza viruses. With the development of this type of viral pneumonia, mutual penetration of the hemorrhagic and catarrhal foci of infection is noted, leading to the death of tissues and the formation of purulent exudate. With the development of this pathology, a powerful intoxication of the whole organism, serious insufficiency of vascular function, shortness of breath and coughing with sputum are noted. In the area above the lung tissue, wet rales are heard. At one time, this type of viral pneumonia was characterized by a large number of deaths.

Atypical pneumonia also has a viral origin, but the influenza virus does not stand out with it.

Symptoms of the development of SARS are not specific. The onset of the disease is characterized by symptoms similar to influenza infection. In other words, the temperature rises with time, a dry cough with the development of the disease turns into a wet one. Examination of the lungs reveals the presence of dry or slightly wet rales. 

Ornithosis is a focal form of viral pneumonia, which begins to develop due to exposure to viruses from affected birds – chickens or pigeons. In addition, some forms of ornithosis can go from parrots. Another similar disease is called psittacosis, but in Russia it is practically not observed. In the latter case, mortality reaches fifty percent. Ornithosis has a much simpler course, and is relatively easy to treat.

Diagnosis and diagnosis requires a thorough study of virology. In addition, as diagnostic methods resort to samples of an intradermal nature. The latent period of the last three diseases lasts from a week to two weeks, the fever lasts about ten days. In the rehabilitation period , the patient is noted for weakness and lethargy.