Dictionary

acute eosinophilic pneumonia: A rare form of pneumonia in which white blood cells multiply and cause irritation in the lungs independent of any bacterial or viral infection. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is highly fatal.

alveoli: The small air sacs in lungs that supply oxygen to the blood while also disposing of the blood's carbon dioxide.

antibiotics: Drugs prescribed to treat bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.

arterial blood gas test: A procedure to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood by drawing blood from an artery instead of a vein.

aspiration pneumonia: A type of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of chemicals, food, vomit or any other foreign substance.

atypical pneumonia: A mild to severe bacterial infection caused primarily by Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila or Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

bacterial pneumonia: A type of pneumonia that results from a bacterial infection, rather than a viral or fungal infection.

blastomycosis: A fungal infection with pneumonia-like symptoms. Blastomycosis, which can have serious complications throughout the body, is caused by Blastomyces dermatidis.

bronchi: The larger airways that connect the trachea to the lungs.

bronchiolitis: Sometimes confused with pneumonia, this is an inflammation in airway passages that lead from the bronchi to the lungs.

bronchitis: An inflammation of the main bronchi tubes that is sometimes mistaken for pneumonia.

bronchopneumonia: A lung infection that spread from a pre-existing bronchial infection.

bronchoscopy: A procedure for viewing the lungs in which a tube with a light on it's end is inserted down the windpipe into the airways to assess any lung abnormalities.

chlamydia: A form of bacteria that typically is contracted through sexual contact but can also attack the lungs causing pneumonia.

cilia: The fine hairs in the upper airways that filter dangerous particles in the air and prevent them from entering the lungs; however, when bacteria breaks through, pneumonia may result.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Also known as cytomegalovirus pneumonia; a herpes-like virus that can attack the lungs and is particularly common in individuals with depressed immune systems and some transplant patients.

community-acquired pneumonia: Any type of pneumonia that spreads among people who haven't been recently hospitalized but who do share close quarters or the same spaces.

cyanosis: As an indicator of low oxygen levels in the blood, this condition causes parts of the body, including fingernail beds, lips and the skin, to turn blue.

dyspnea: Breathing difficulties.

empyema: Also known as a lung abscess; a pus formation in and around the lungs that is a very serious complication of pneumonia.