Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs. The term is almost always used to refer specifically to infections of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other parasites; however, it can also refer to lung injury caused by physical or chemical irritants, in which case the term pneumonitis is used to differentiate the condition from infectious pneumonia. This article uses pneumonia only in the first sense, that of infection. Pneumonia may occur in people of all ages, although young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients are especially at risk. Antimicrobial drugs are often used to treat pneumonia.

Pathophysiology

The vast majority of pneumonias are infectious diseases; whether a patient is prone to develop pneumonia depends not only the presence of pathogens but equally on the patient's immune system and other factors. Most pneumonias are not epidemic, although infection with influenza virus can be so defined.

Related Topics:
Infectious disease - Pathogen - Immune system - Influenza

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Breathing problems, as often present in patients after a stroke, in Parkinson's disease, hospitalisation or surgery and mechanical ventilation can all increase the likelihood of pneumonia. Similarly, inability to clear sputum (as in cystic fibrosis) or retention of sputum (as in bronchiectasis) can lead to pneumonia.

Related Topics:
Stroke - Parkinson's disease - Hospital - Surgery - Mechanical ventilation - Cystic fibrosis - Bronchiectasis

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After splenectomy (removal of the spleen), a patient is more prone to pneumonia due to the spleen's role in developing immunity against the polysaccharides on pneumococcus bacteria.

Related Topics:
Splenectomy - Spleen - Polysaccharide - Pneumococcus

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