Pneumonia refers to an infection affecting the lung. It may either include infection affecting one or more lobes in the lung or infection that causes patches and this is called bronchitis pneumonia or bronchopneumonia. This condition is often classified in two categories and this helps in identifying or predicting the organisms that are most responsible for the condition.

Community acquired bronchitis pneumonia is something that may be contracted outside a hospital. This form affects as many as 4 million adult individuals every year. This form or condition is caused by the bacteria called streptococcus penumoniae. Community acquired pneumonia may also be caused by Mycoplasma pneumonia or Chlamydia pneumonia.

The second form of bronchitis pneumonia is hospital acquired and is also called nosocomial pneumonia. Hospital patients are quite vulnerable to staphylococci along with the gram negative bacteria which are extremely dangerous. This condition is caused when an infectious agent reaches the lungs of an individual.

In bronchitis pneumonia these infectious agents can reach the lungs by way of different routes. In some cases the organisms may be inhaled within the airways while in some other cases normal and harmless bacteria existing in the mouth may be carried to the lungs particularly if a person suppresses the gag reflex. This condition may also be observed when infections spread from other organs into the bloodstream and this is further carried to the lungs.

Normally the airways that take in the air have mechanisms that operate to protect the lung from any infection of the bacteria and microbes. Large particles are normally filtered out first from the nasal passage. With inhalation of smaller particles the sensors in the airways cause a sneezing or coughing reflex and this cause the particles to back out. The tiny particles are trapped within a mucous blanket and then removed by the beating movements of some hair like cells known as cilia. Any particles that pass this are attacked by the defense system of the body. If the defense system becomes weak then the bacteria and other organism can result in bronchitis pneumonia.

Patients suffering from bronchitis pneumonia may experience pain in the back or the chest. This may be because of the settling of the virus within the chest. The back pain can be located around the shoulders and the upper areas. In some cases the back pain may also be experienced in the lower back areas. This pain tends to increase as the patient takes a deep breath. Along with pain bronchitis pneumonia also causes persistent cough.

The cough in case of bronchitis pneumonia can be bad and in some cases can last for weeks. The cough may become worse while indulging in physical activity. The cough may also become worse if the patient tries to lie on the side or back. Patients with this condition may have brown colored mucus and they may also display flu like symptoms. Accelerated heart beats are also commonly observed in those suffering from bronchitis pneumonia. The treatment for this condition requires the patients to take certain antibiotics.