Aspiration pneumonia Health Article

Definition

Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways to the lungs (bronchial tubes) from breathing in foreign material.

Alternative Names

Anaerobic pneumonia; Aspiration of vomitus; Necrotizing pneumonia; Aspiration pneumonitis; Chemical pneumonitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Aspiration pneumonia is caused by breathing foreign materials (usually food, liquids, vomit, or fluids from the mouth) into the lungs. This may lead to:

• A collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess)
• An inflammatory reaction
• A lung infection (pneumonia)

Aspiration of foreign material into the lungs can be caused by:

• Anesthesia
• Coma
• Decreased or absent gag reflex in people who are not alert (unconscious or semi-conscious)
• Dental problems
• Disorders that affect normal swallowing
• Disorders of the esophagus (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux)
• Excessive alcohol use
• Medications that affect alertness
• Old age
• Sedatives

Acidic material that is breathed into the lungs can cause severe lung injury. However, it may not necessarily lead to pneumonia.

Symptoms

• Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
• Chest pain
• Cough
  • With foul-smelling phlegm (sputum)
  • With sputum containing pus or blood
  • With greenish sputum
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Breath odor
• Excessive sweating
• Swallowing difficulty

Signs and tests

A physical examination may reveal crackling sounds in the lungs and a rapid pulse (heart rate).

The following tests may also help diagnose this condition:

• Arterial blood gas
• Blood culture
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest x-ray
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• CT scan of the chest
• Sputum culture
• Swallowing studies