Aspiration pneumonia

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PNEUMONIA

Image:Streptococcus pneumoniae.jpg

Infectious pneumonias

Bacterial pneumonia Viral pneumonia Fungal pneumonia Parasitic pneumonia Atypical pneumonia Community-acquired pneumonia Ventilator-associated pneumonia Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Pneumonias caused by infectious or noninfectious agents

Aspiration pneumonia Eosinophilic pneumonia Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

Noninfectious pneumonia

Chemical pneumonia

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Aspiration pneumonia is a specific form of lung infection (pneumonia) that develops when oral or gastric contents (including food, saliva, or nasal secretions) enter the bronchial tree. Depending on the acidity of the aspirate, a chemical pneumonitis can develop, and bacterial pathogens (particularly anaerobic bacteria) may add to the inflammation.

Aspiration pneumonia is often caused by an incompetent swallowing mechanism, such as occurs in some forms of neurological disease (a common cause being strokes) or while a person is intoxicated. An iatrogenic cause is during general anaesthesia for an operation and patients are therefore instructed to have Nil by Mouth (fluids and food) for at least 4hours before surgery.

The right lower lobe of the lung is the most common location of aspiration pneumonia. This is due to the anatomy of the bronchial tree and gravity: in patients who are upright, the bronchus serving this lobe is oriented almost vertically, leaving it at greatest risk to be the target of aspirated secretions.

Whether aspiration pneumonia represents a true bacterial infection or a chemical inflammatory process remains the subject of significant controversy. Both causes may present with similar symptoms.