Pneumonia

• Pathophysiology:

  • Inflammation and fluid in your lungs caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
  • The organisms enter the lungs directly, by inhalation (virus), resident bacteria spreading along the mucosa, or aspiration in secretions
  • Occasionally the infection is blood-borne
• Lobar Pneumonia - Types:

  • Distribution: all of one or two lobes
  • Cause: streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Patho:
  • Inflammation of alveolar wall and leakage of cells, fibrin, and fluid into alveoli causing consolidation
  • Pleura may be inflamed
• Bronchopneumonia - Types:

  • Distribution: scattered small patches
  • Cause: multiple bacteria
  • Patho:
  • Inflammation and purulent exudate in alveoli, often arising from prior pooled secretions or irritation
• Interstitial Pneumonia - Types:

  • Distribution: scattered small patches
  • Cause: influenza virus, mycoplasma
  • Patho:
  • Interstitial inflammation around alveoli
  • Necrosis of bronchial epithelium
• Legionnaires' Disease - Types:

  • Caused by a gram-negative bacterium, Legionella pneumophila
• Lobar Pneumonia - CM:

  • Sudden and acute onset
  • High fever and chills
  • Productive cough with rusty sputum
  • Rales progressing to absence of breath sounds in affected lobes
• Bronchopneumonia - CM:

  • Insidious onset
  • Mild fever
  • Productive cough with yellow-green sputum
  • Dyspnea
• Interstitial Pneumonia - CM:

  • Variable onset
  • Variable fever
  • Headache
  • Aching muscles
  • Nonproductive hacking cough
• Risk Factors:

  • Adults 65 years or older
  • Children younger than 5 years old
  • People who have ongoing medical conditions
  • Smoking cigarettes