Pneumonitis vs. Pneumonia

One is bound to have a slip of tongue when they try to say the words pneumonitis and pneumonia in one breath. These are two serious respiratory complications, if not treated early on, they can progress into life-threatening conditions. Although, both these conditions affect the lungs, there are some differences between them.

As these conditions involve the lungs, it could lead to breathing problems that causes oxygen depletion in the body. Without oxygen, cells in the body begin to die and this leads to fatal consequences. Here, we will attempt to explain these differences between the symptoms and causes of these two respiratory ailments.

Pneumonitis is a term that refers to lung tissue inflammation due to factors other than a microbial infection.

• Exposure to different types of mold
• Inhalation of asbestos or silica as an occupational hazard.
• Use of certain drugs like chemotherapy drugs
• Inhalation of gastric contents

• Radiation therapy for treatment of cancer
• Inhalation of feathers or bird excrement
• Aspiration of foreign matter into the lungs

• Cough
• Breathing difficulty
• Fever

If left untreated it may lead to chronic pneumonitis.

• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Unexplained weight loss

Pneumonitis is more of a work hazard. People working on farms are at risk of inhalation of aerosolized pesticides, moldy hay particles, etc. Poultry workers or people who breed birds are exposed to feathers, bird droppings and other avian organisms that leads to pneumonitis.

Use of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy also increases the risk of developing pneumonitis. Pneumonitis, if left untreated can lead to irreversible lung damage. It causes the air sacs to become rigid and stiff. This leads to pulmonary fibrosis that can cause respiratory failure, heart failure and death.

Treatment for pneumonitis includes use of corticosteroids that helps in reliving inflammation, antibiotics to treat bacterial lung infection and oxygen therapy for those having breathing troubles.

Pneumonia is a condition where lung inflammation occurs due to a microbial infection. It is caused by a number of factors that include:

• Parasitic infection of the lungs
• Exposure to bacteria, virus or fungal agents
• Inhalation of toxic chemical gases

• Physical injury of the lungs
• Aspiration pneumonia occurs when one inhales foreign matter into the lungs

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults and children varies greatly. Common signs of pneumonia include:

• Muscle pain
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• High Fever
• Cough
• Sweating Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Persistent cough

Many hospitalized patients are at risk of developing hospital acquired pneumonia infection. Exposure to air pollution, toxic fumes, traumatic injury to the chest, cause mucus to accumulate in the lungs and allows bacteria to grow within the chest. Pneumonia complications depend on individual health and type of pneumonia.

Pneumonia complications include bacteremia, due to bacteria finding a way into the blood stream from the lungs. It can also lead to pleural effusion where fluid accumulates around the lung membranes. Other complications include lung abscess and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Treatment for pneumonia depends upon the type of pneumonia affecting the patient. Bacterial pneumonia requires treatment with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia generally requires plenty of rest and fluid intake, and a few antiviral drugs may be recommended. Mycoplasma infections require antibiotics for treatment.

Antifungal medications are prescribed for those suffering from fungal pneumonia. Patient may be hospitalized in serious cases and given oxygen therapy, if breathing trouble develops.

This was all about the difference between pneumonia and pneumonitis. Both cause inflammation of lungs, but their pathophysiology is slightly different from one another. Above information shows that these are serious respiratory ailments that should not be taken lightly.