Classification of pneumonia

Classification of Pneumonia

Pneumonia (pronounced: /njuːˈmoʊniə/) is an inflammation of the lung tissue, typically caused by an infection. The term "pneumonia" is derived from the Ancient Greek words "pneumon" (lung) and "-ia" (condition).

Classification

Pneumonia can be classified in several ways, including the cause of the infection, the location of the infection, and the severity of the disease.

By Cause

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Bacterial pneumonia is caused by various bacteria, the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Viral pneumonia is most often caused by influenza virus, but can also be caused by other viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or SARS-CoV-2.
Fungal pneumonia is less common and occurs mostly in people with weakened immune systems.

By Location

The location of the infection in the lung can also be used to classify pneumonia.

Lobar pneumonia involves one or more lobes of the lung.
Bronchopneumonia involves the bronchi and surrounding lung tissue.
Interstitial pneumonia involves the areas of lung tissue between the alveoli and the supporting structures of the lung.

By Severity

The severity of pneumonia can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, or critical.

Mild pneumonia typically has symptoms similar to a common cold.
Moderate pneumonia may cause more severe symptoms such as high fever and difficulty breathing.
Severe pneumonia can cause serious complications such as respiratory failure.
Critical pneumonia is life-threatening and requires intensive care.

Related Terms

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

Classification of pneumonia