Bronchopneumonia is a serious type of pneumonia caused by bacteria that enters the lungs and fills the airspace with mucus, making breathing difficult. Symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Treatment includes antibiotics, rest, and fluids. Prevention includes washing hands frequently, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Bronchopneumonia is one of several types of pneumonia. It is an acute inflammation of the lungs and bronchioles, usually due to the spread of the infection from the upper to the lower respiratory tract. Although bronchopneumonia looks similar to ordinary pneumonia, it can be more serious and require different medical care and treatment. This form of pneumonia is also known as bronchial pneumonia or bronchogenic pneumonia.
Bronchopneumonia is transmitted through bacteria and occurs when bacteria enter the lungs. Hemophilus influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common types of bacteria that cause bronchial pneumonia. When bacteria infect the lung lobes, the lungs produce mucus that fills the alveolar sacs. In turn, this causes a condition known as consolidation which occurs when the lungs fill with mucus, narrowing the airspace. The reduced airspace makes breathing difficult causing shortness of breath and wheezing or shallow breathing.
Some of the symptoms include fever and chills, cough, chest pain and fatigue. The patient may also pass blood-streaked mucus or yellow sputum. A doctor will diagnose bronchopneumonia by using a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s breathing. In some cases, a chest X-ray, complete blood count, or sputum culture test will also be done for diagnosis.
Because bronchopneumonia is a bacterial infection, antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or erythromycin, aid in recovery. In addition to taking the prescribed antibiotics, patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids and get enough rest. Hospitalization is usually not needed unless symptoms are severe or there are other complications such as age or underlying health issues.
When patients adhere to the doctor’s treatment plan, pulmonary disease usually resolves in four to six weeks, although individual cases vary depending on the severity of the infection, the patient’s age, and overall health. Patients may begin to feel better as early as three to four days after starting treatment, but should follow doctor’s orders to resume normal activities and work schedules.
The best way to prevent bronchopneumoia is to wash your hands frequently, with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom or in public places. Hand sanitizer can be used when soap and water are not available. Quitting smoking will also help reduce your risk of getting pneumonia, and a healthy diet and adequate sleep will keep your immune system strong, which will help fight off the germs and bacteria that cause pneumonia.
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