if you think you may have any type of pneumonia, see a doctor. they can ensure that you get the correct diagnosis and receive the best treatment for your condition.
What is bronchopneumonia?
pneumonia is a type of lung infection. it occurs when viruses, bacteria, or fungi cause inflammation and infection of the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs. bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia that causes inflammation of the alveoli.
people with bronchopneumonia may have trouble breathing due to airway stenosis. their lungs may not be able to get enough air due to inflammation. symptoms of bronchopneumonia can be mild or severe.
Symptoms of bronchopneumonia in adults and children
symptoms of bronchopneumonia may be similar to other types of pneumonia. this condition usually begins with flu-like symptoms and becomes more severe after a few days. symptoms include:
- fever
- cough up mucus
- gasp
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- perspire
- chills
- headache
- muscle pain
- pleurisy or chest pain due to inflammation caused by excessive coughing
- fatigue
- confusion or delirium, especially in the elderly
for people with weakened immune systems or other diseases, symptoms can be particularly severe.
Symptoms in children
children and infants may show different symptoms. although cough is the most common symptom in babies, they may also have:
- fast heart rate
- low blood oxygen levels
- pectoral muscle contraction
- irritability
- decreased interest in feeding, eating, or drinking water
- fever
- congestion
- difficulty falling asleep
if you have symptoms of pneumonia, seek immediate medical attention. without a thorough examination by a doctor, it is impossible to know what type of pneumonia you have.
How is bronchopneumonia transmitted?
many cases of bronchopneumonia are caused by bacteria. in vitro, the bacteria are contagious and can be spread between people in close proximity through sneezing and coughing. a person is infected by inhaling bacteria.
common bacterial causes of bronchopneumonia include:
- staphylococcus aureus
- haemophilus influenzae
- pseudomonas aeruginosa
- colibacillus
- klebsiella pneumoniae
- proteus spp
this condition usually becomes an infection in a hospital setting. people who come to the hospital to treat other diseases usually have a compromised immune system. getting sick can affect the way the body fights bacteria.
in this case, the body will have difficulty responding to new infections. pneumonia that occurs in a hospital setting may also be caused by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
What are the risk factors for developing bronchopneumonia?
there are several factors that increase your risk of bronchopneumonia. these include:
age: people aged 65 years or older and children 2 years of age or younger are at higher risk of bronchopneumonia and disease complications.
environment: people who work in hospitals or nursing homes or visit regularly are at higher risk of developing broncho pneumonia.
lifestyle: a history of smoking, malnutrition, and alcohol abuse increases the risk of bronchopneumonia.
medical conditions: having certain medical conditions increases your risk of developing this type of pneumonia. these include:
- CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, SUCH AS ASTHMA OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
- HIV AIDS
- weakening of the immune system due to chemotherapy or the use of immunosuppressive drugs
- chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes
- autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- cancer
- chronic cough
- difficulty swallowing
- ventilator support
if you are one of the high-risk groups, discuss prevention and management techniques with your doctor.
How will your doctor test for bronchopneumonia?
only a doctor can diagnose bronchopneumonia. your doctor will first have a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. they will use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing and other abnormal breath sounds.
they'll also listen to places on your chest where it's hard to hear breathing. sometimes, if your lungs are infected or filled with fluid, your doctor may notice that your breath sounds aren't as loud as you might expect.
they may also send you to a test to rule out other possible causes that may be causing similar symptoms. other conditions include bronchitis, bronchial asthma, or lobar pneumonia. tests may include:
| test | outcome |
| CHEST X-RAY | bronchopneumonia usually presents as multiple patchy areas of infection, usually in both lungs, mainly at the base of the lungs. |
| COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) | a large number of total white blood cells, as well as a large number of certain types of white blood cells, may indicate a bacterial infection. |
| blood or sputum cultures | these tests show the type of organism that caused the infection. |
| CT SCAN | CT SCANS CAN LOOK AT LUNG TISSUE IN MORE DETAIL. |
| bronchoscopy | this luminous instrument allows for a closer look at the breathing tubes and takes samples of lung tissue while checking for infections and other lung conditions. |
| pulse oximeter | this is a simple, noninvasive test that measures the percentage of oxygen in the bloodstream. the lower the number, the lower your oxygen content. |
how do you treat bronchopneumonia?
treatment options for bronchopneumonia include home treatment and prescription medication.
Home care
viral bronchopneumonia usually does not require treatment unless the condition is severe. it usually improves on its own within two weeks. bacterial or fungal causes of bronchopneumonia may require medication.
Drug therapy
if bacteria are the cause of your pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. most people begin to feel better within three to five days of starting antibiotics.
it is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics to prevent recurrence of the infection and to ensure that it is completely cleared.
in the case of a viral infection such as the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to help reduce the duration 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 you meet any of the following criteria:
- you are over 65 years old
- you have trouble breathing
- you have chest pain
- you are short of breath
- you have low blood pressure
- you show signs of confusion
- you need breathing help
- you have chronic lung disease
HOSPITAL TREATMENT MAY INCLUDE INTRAVENOUS (IV) ANTIBIOTICS AND FLUIDS. IF YOUR BLOOD OXYGEN LEVELS ARE LOW, YOU MAY RECEIVE OXYGEN THERAPY TO HELP THEM GET BACK TO NORMAL.
complication
depending on the cause of the infection, complications of bronchopneumonia may occur. common complications may include:
- bloodstream infection or sepsis
- lung abscess
- peripulmonary effusion, called pleural effusion
- respiratory failure
- renal failure
- heart diseases such as heart failure, heart attacks, and irregular rhythms
treatment of infants and children
if your child has a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. home care to relieve symptoms is also an important step in controlling this condition. make sure your child gets enough fluids and rest.
your doctor may recommend a tylenol fever reduction. an inhaler or nebulizer may be prescribed to help keep the airway as open as possible. in severe cases, your child may need to be hospitalized for the following treatments:
- intravenous fluids
- drugs
- oxygen
- respiratory therapy
be sure to consult your child before giving your child cough medicine. these are rarely recommended for children under 6 years of age. read more about child hygiene practices.
how to prevent bronchopneumonia
simple care measures can reduce your risk of getting sick and developing bronchopneumonia. read more about proper handwashing methods.
vaccination can also help prevent certain types of pneumonia. be sure to get the flu vaccine every year, as the flu can cause pneumonia. pneumococcal vaccines can prevent common types of bacterial pneumonia. these are available for adults and children.
talk to your doctor to determine if these vaccines are beneficial for you or your family. read more about the infant and toddler vaccination schedule.
what are the prospects for bronchopneumonia?
most people with bronchopneumonia recover within a few weeks. the time required for recovery depends on several factors:
- your age
- how much of your lungs are affected
- severity of pneumonia
- the type of organism causing the infection
- your overall health and any underlying illnesses
- any complications you experience
not letting your body rest can lead to a longer recovery period. people at higher risk for the disease may develop serious, life-threatening complications, such as respiratory failure, without the need for treatment.
if you think you may have any type of pneumonia, see a doctor. they can ensure that you get the correct diagnosis and receive the best treatment for your condition.