Lung Characteristics Tissue Normal Breathing Pneumonia Acute Bacterial

An acute bacterial or viral infection of the lung that damages lung tissue, usually associated with fever, cough, and production of sputum.

Fluid also accumulates in the surrounding normal lung tissue, separating the alveoli from their capillaries (fluid can also accumulate in the pleural space).

The lung's ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide is impaired

The breathing pattern in pneumonia does not indicate major airway obstruction, but the patient may experience tachypnea, an increase in the breathing rate, which is an attempt to compensate for the reduced amount of normal lung tissue and for the buildup of fluid.