Bronchial pneumonia, also known as bronchopneumonia, is a condition in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed due to infection. The bronchi are two thin tubes that channel inhaled air into the lungs. If the bronchial tubes become infected, they can fill with mucus and swell, making it difficult to breathe. Severe cases can completely cut off the air supply to the lungs and lead to death.
Exposure to bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae Y Mycoplasma pneumoniae , tends to be the most frequent source of cases of bronchial pneumonia. These types of bacteria are found in the nasal cavities of some people. If an infected person sneezes or has a runny nose, the bacteria can get into the air or on surfaces and spread to other people. Most public places tend to contain Streptococcus pneumoniae Y Mycoplasma pneumoniae somehow, but the bodies of people with healthy immune systems can usually attack bacteria and prevent disease. People who have weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, or those who are already sick, are more likely to develop bronchial pneumonia after contact with the bacteria simply because their bodies are not strong enough to fight off the bacteria.
The symptoms of bronchial pneumonia usually start out mild and may seem similar to a cold or the flu. A person may first develop a fever and cough, but as the infection progresses, they may begin to experience chest pain that worsens during inhalation. As the infection spreads in the bronchial tubes, the patient may begin to cough up mucus or become short of breath.
The condition is usually treated with a course of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae either Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the bronchi. Symptoms will usually start to go away within one to days, but it may take about seven to ten days of antibiotics for the infection to be fully treated. If a person's symptoms become more severe and he or she has trouble breathing, hospitalization for further treatment may be required. A doctor will usually give the patient continuous injections of antibiotics and recommend that they wear an oxygen mask to help with breathing.
Bronchial pneumonia can have serious health risks if not treated right away. Bacteria can attack the bronchial tubes to the point where they become so swollen that air cannot pass through. In rare cases, bacteria in the bronchial tubes can spread to the bloodstream and attack other internal organs, limiting their ability to function properly.