Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs and may be caused by viruses, fungi as well as bacteria. As many as 2 million individuals in America develop this infection every year and around 40000 to 70000 die because of it. Bronchopneumonia is a condition in which the lung parenchyma has patchy exudative consolidation. This condition is commonly observed in pneumonia that is community acquired.

The organisms responsible for causing bronchopneumonia include streptococci, staphylococci, haemophilus influenzaea, coliform bacteria, pneumococci and pseudomonas aeruginosa. The condition of bronchopneumonia may be observed as a result of complication following some illnesses. Among children this condition may occur as a complication following diseases like measles, whooping cough or diphtheria. While among adults complications in typhoid, paratyphoid fever and influenza can result in this condition.

Bronchopneumonia is observed among individuals belonging to the old age group or infants. Most cases of this condition result from aspiration of organisms from the mouth. This condition is also quite common among hospitalized patients. In some cases patients are not able to clear the lungs because of medication, physical weakness, pulmonary fibrosis or old age and this could act as one of the predisposing factors to the development of this condition.

In some patients the cilia may not be functioning while in others immobility may result in secretions being retained. There are some symptoms associated with bronchopneumonia and this may help in identification of the condition along with subsequent treatment. Patients suffering from this condition tend to have fever along with purulent sputum and cough. This may be accompanied with chest pain, fatigue, chills, shortness of breath and rapid shallow breathing.

In some cases in the initial stages of bronchopneumonia terminal bronchiolitis is observed. There is patchy consolidation of the peribronchial lung tissue and the bronchioles tend to get plugged with mucosa and the secretions. Because of this the air is not able to gain entry in the alveoli and this air is absorbed resulting in the alveoli collapsing. In a few aggressive cases of bronchopneumonia abscesses may be observed.

Some complications that can occur in cases of bronchopneumonia include pulmonary fibrosis, empuema, bronchietasis and lung abscess along with bacteraemia that may cause abscess within the other organs. The diagnosis of this condition can be done through some tests along with a physical examination. Chest X-ray, sputum smear examination, sputum culture test and complete blood count test are some of the tests that can help in proper diagnosis of this condition.

Treatment of bronchopneumonia includes some antibiotics that the patients can take at home. In severe cases of this condition patients may need to be hospitalized. Hospitalization may be particularly needed when the patient suffers from extreme dehydration or has a severe form of bronchopneumonia. In case of patients suffering from low oxygen levels oxygen therapy may be given. It is advisable for patients to drink enough fluids so as to loosen up the secretions. Rest is also crucial and the fever can be controlled with acetaminophen or aspirin.