Question

What is the pathophysiology of pneumonia, in your own words?

Answer 1

Definition - Pneumonia is the infection of the alveoli or air sacs in the lungs. This results in formation of fluid or pus in the lungs.

Causes- Bacterial(streptococcus), Viral(Influenza) or Fungal

Clinical manifestations-Shortness of breath, Chest pain while breathing or coughing, Cough with sputum, Fever and chills, Fatigue,Loss of appetite,Nausea, Vomiting.

Pathophysiology

The main steps in pathophysiology of pneumonia are

1. Invasion of pathogen

2.Triggering of inflammatory response

3.Capillary leak

4. Edema and exudate formation

5. Decreased gas exchange

1. Invasion of pathogen

Causative organism enters in the upper respiratory tract and causes upper respiratory tract infections. Then it moves into the lower respiratory tract and cause lower respiratory tract infections which irritates the lungs.

2.Triggering of inflammatory response

In this stage blood vessels dialate and became leaky

3.Capillary leak

Dialatation of blood vessels leads to leakage of blood vessels which causes increased leakage of WBC

4. Edema and exudate formation

Due to the capillary leak and increased leakage of WBC causes edema in the lungs and formation of debri and exudate in the lungs

5. Decreased gas exchange

Due to increased fluid and exudate ,exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide become difficult. This leads to respiratory acidosis, hypoxia and dyspnea.

Diagnosis-Blood test, Chest X ray

Management

1.Antibiotics

2. Antipyretics

3. Cough suppressents