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Bronchopneumonia - Medscape

Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia that causes inflammation in the bronchi (air passages) and alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. It is usually caused by bacterial infection and spreads through respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Diagnosis involves physical exam, imaging tests like chest X-rays, and culture tests. Treatment involves antibiotics if bacterial, with more severe cases requiring hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics or oxygen therapy. Most people recover fully within a few weeks with treatment, though recovery time depends on individual factors like age and health status.

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246 views7 pages

Bronchopneumonia - Medscape

Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia that causes inflammation in the bronchi (air passages) and alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. It is usually caused by bacterial infection and spreads through respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Diagnosis involves physical exam, imaging tests like chest X-rays, and culture tests. Treatment involves antibiotics if bacterial, with more severe cases requiring hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics or oxygen therapy. Most people recover fully within a few weeks with treatment, though recovery time depends on individual factors like age and health status.

Uploaded by

cleoaer
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What is bronchopneumonia?

Pneumonia is a category of lung infections. It occurs when a virus, bacteria,


or fungi causes inflammation and infection in the alveoli (tiny air sacs) in
the lung. Bronchopneumonia, or lobular pneumonia, is a type of
pneumonia that also causes inflammation in the bronchi. These are the air
passages that feed air into the lungs.

Someone with bronchopneumonia may have trouble breathing because


their airways are constricted. Due to inflammation, their lungs may not get
enough air. Symptoms of bronchopneumonia can be mild or severe.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of bronchopneumonia in adults and


children
Symptoms of bronchopneumonia may be very similar to other types of
pneumonia. This condition often begins with flu-like symptoms that can
become more severe over a few days. The symptoms include:

 fever
 a cough that brings up mucus
 shortness of breath
 chest pain
 rapid breathing
 sweating
 chills
 headaches
 muscle aches
 pleurisy, or chest pain that results from inflammation due to excess
coughing
 fatigue
 confusion or delirium, especially in older people

The symptoms may be especially serious in people with weakened immune


systems or other illnesses.
Symptoms in children

Children and infants may display symptoms differently. While coughing is


the most common symptom in infants, they may also have:

 a rapid heart rate


 low blood oxygen levels
 retractions of chest muscles
 irritability
 decreased interest in feeding, eating, or drinking
 fever
 congestion
 difficulty sleeping

See a doctor right away if you have symptoms of pneumonia. It’s


impossible to know which type of pneumonia you have without a thorough
exam from your doctor.

CAUSES

How does bronchopneumonia spread?


Most cases of bronchopneumonia are caused by bacteria. Outside the
body, the bacteria are contagious and can spread between people in close
proximity through sneezes and coughs. A person becomes infected by
breathing in the bacteria.

Common bacterial causes of bronchopneumonia include:

 Staphylococcus aureus
 Haemophilus influenza
 Pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Escherichia coli
 Klebsiella pneumoniae
 Proteus species

The condition is commonly contracted in a hospital setting. People who


come to the hospital for treatment of other illnesses often have a
compromised immune system. Being sick affects how the body normally
fights off bacteria. Under these conditions, the body will have difficulty
tackling a new infection. Pneumonia that occurs in a hospital setting may
also be the result of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

AD V ER T IS E M E N T

RISK FACTORS

What are the risk factors for developing


bronchopneumonia?
Age: People who are 65 or older and children who are 2 or younger have a
higher risk for developing bronchopneumonia and complications from the
condition.

Environmental: People who work in, or often visit, hospital or nursing


home facilities have a higher risk for developing bronchopneumonia.

Lifestyle: Smoking, poor nutrition, and a history of heavy alcohol use can
increase your risk for bronchopneumonia.

Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can increase your risk for
developing this type of pneumonia. These include:

 having a chronic lung disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive


pulmonary disease (COPD)
 having HIV/AIDS
 having a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy or the use
of immunosuppressive drugs
 having a chronic disease, such as heart disease or diabetes
 having an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
 a chronic cough
 having swallowing difficulties
 receiving ventilator support

If you’re in one of the risk groups, talk to your doctor about prevention and
management tips.
DIAGNOSIS

How will your doctor test for bronchopneumonia?


Only a doctor can diagnose bronchopneumonia. Your doctor will begin by
conducting a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. They’ll use a
stethoscope to listen for wheezing and other abnormal breath sounds.
They’ll also listen for places in your chest where it’s harder to hear your
breathing. Sometimes, if your lungs are infected or full of fluid, your doctor
may notice that your breath sounds aren’t as loud as expected.

They may also send you for tests to rule out other possible causes that
could lead to similar symptoms. Other conditions include bronchitis,
bronchial asthma, or lobar pneumonia. The tests may include:

Tests Results

Bronchopneumonia will usually show up as multiple patchy areas of


Chest X-ray
infection, usually in both lungs and mostly at the lung bases.

Complete blood A high number of total white blood cells, along with high numbers of
count (CBC) certain types of white blood cells, may indicate a bacterial infection.

Blood or sputum
These tests show the type of organism causing the infection.
cultures

CT scan A CT scan provides a more detailed look at the lung tissues.

This lighted instrument can take a closer at the breathing tubes and take
Bronchoscopy samples of lung tissue, while checking for infection and other lung
conditions.

Pulse oximetry This is a noninvasive and simple test that measures the percentage of
oxygen in the blood stream. The lower the number, the lower your
oxygen level.

TREATMENT

How do you treat bronchopneumonia?


Treatment options for bronchopneumonia include both at-home
treatments and medical treatments by prescription.

At-home care

Viral bronchopneumonia normally doesn’t require medical treatment unless


it’s severe. It typically improves on its own in two weeks. Bacterial or fungal
causes of bronchopneumonia may require medication.

Medical treatment

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if a bacterium is the cause of your


pneumonia. Most people begin to feel better within three to five days after
starting antibiotics. It’s important that you finish your entire course of
antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe antivirals to help reduce the
length of your illness and the severity of your symptoms.

Hospital care

You may need to go to the hospital if your infection is severe and if you
meet any of the following criteria:

 over age 65
 difficulty breathing
 chest pain
 rapid breathing
 low blood pressure
 signs of confusion
 need breathing assistance
Treatment in the hospital may include intravenous (IV) antibiotics. If your
blood oxygen levels are low, you may receive oxygen therapy to help them
return to normal.

Treatment in infants and children

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if your child has a bacterial infection.
Home care to ease symptoms is also an important step in managing this
condition. Make sure your child gets enough fluids and rest. Your doctor
may suggest Tylenol to reduce fevers. An inhaler or nebulizer may be
prescribed to help keep the airways as open as possible. In severe cases, a
child may require hospitalization to receive IV fluids, medication, oxygen,
and respiratory therapy.

Always ask your child’s doctor before giving cough medications. These are
rarely recommended for children younger than age 6.

Read more: Hygiene habits for kids »

AD V ER T IS E M E N T

PREVENTION

How to prevent bronchopneumonia


Simple care measures can reduce your risk of getting sick and developing
bronchopneumonia.

Vaccinations can also help prevent many types of pneumonia. Be sure to


get your annual flu shot, as the flu can cause pneumonia. Common types of
bacterial pneumonia can be prevented by the pneumococcal vaccines.
These are available for both adults and children. Talk to your doctor to
determine if these vaccines could benefit you or your family.

Read more: The right way to wash your hands »

OUTLOOK

What’s the outlook for bronchopneumonia?


Most people who have bronchopneumonia recover within a few weeks.
How long it takes to recover depends on several factors:

 your age
 how much of your lungs has been affected
 the severity of the pneumonia
 the type of organism causing the infection
 your overall health and any underlying conditions

Not letting your body rest can result in a longer recovery period. People
who are at a higher risk for this condition may develop severe, life-
threatening complications without treatment. See a doctor if you think you
may have any type of pneumonia. They can make sure you have the correct
diagnosis and are receiving the best treatment for your condition.

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