Pneumonia and pneumonitis are inflammatory conditions of the lungs that have similar symptoms but different causes. Pneumonia is caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection that inflames the air sacs of the lungs. Pneumonitis is general inflammation of the lung tissue that can be caused by drugs, molds, radiation, or other irritants. Both conditions cause shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue. Pneumonia is diagnosed through tests like chest X-rays, sputum tests, and blood tests to identify the infectious agent. Pneumonitis is typically diagnosed through imaging tests like chest X-rays and CT scans since it affects a broader area of the lungs rather than a localized region

1. Pneumonia and Alveolitis
Differential Diagnosis
Tharindu Gunasiri
Group 1

2. Pneumonia
• Pneumonia is an infection that
inflames the air sacs in one or
both lungs. The air sacs may
fill with fluid or pus, causing
cough with phlegm or pus,
fever, chills, and difficulty
breathing.
• A variety of organisms,
including bacteria, viruses and
fungi, can cause pneumonia.
Alveolitis
• Pneumonitis is a general term
that refers to inflammation of
lung tissue. Although
pneumonia is technically a
type of pneumonitis because
the infection causes
inflammation, most doctors
are referring to other causes
of lung inflammation when
they use the term
"pneumonitis."
Introduction

3. Causes
Pneumonia
• Commiunity acquired
pneumonia
• Bacteria, fungi, virus
• Hospital acquired
pneumonia
• Aspiration pneumonia
Pneumonitis
• Pneumonitis occurs when
an irritating substance
causes the tiny air sacs
(alveoli) in your lungs to
become inflamed. This
inflammation makes it
difficult for oxygen to pass
through the alveoli into the
bloodstream.
• Drugs, molds, radiation, bird
handlers, farmers

4. Symptoms
Pneumonia
• Chest pain when you breathe or
cough
• Confusion or changes in mental
awareness (in adults age 65 and
older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Lower than normal body
temperature (in adults older than
age 65 and people with weak
immune systems)
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
Pneumonitis
• The most common symptom
of pneumonitis is shortness of
breath, which may be
accompanied by a dry cough.
• Cough (only inflammation is
present no consolidation like
in pneumonia so it will be dry
cough)
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss

5. Diagnosis Pneumonia
• Blood tests. Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try
to identify the type of organism causing the infection
• Chest X-ray. This helps you diagnose pneumonia and determine the
extent and location of the infection..
• Pulse oximetry. This measures the oxygen level in your blood.
Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen
into your bloodstream.
• Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken
after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the
infection.
• CT scan. If pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, you may
recommend a chest CT scan.
• Pleural fluid culture. A fluid sample is taken by putting a needle
between your ribs from the pleural area and analyzed to help
determine the type of infection.

6. Pneumonitis diagnosis
• Imaging tests are useful because in most
cases, pneumonia affects only a small,
localized portion of your lungs, while the
effects of noninfectious pneumonitis are often
spread throughout all five lobes of your lungs.
• Chest X-ray.
• Computerized tomography (CT).
• Pulmonary function tests.
• Bronchoscopy.

7. Thank you