# When does it become pneumonia? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 17, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444 "2005-11-17T03:56:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/1 "2005-11-17T03:56:51Z")
At what point does a bronchial infection become described as pneumonia? Is that any bacterial bronchial infection, or is there a set of criteria that define a severity that is pneumonia? And, yes, I’ve been in touch with my doc and he’s got me taking Levaquin. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/2 "2005-11-17T04:36:31Z")
In a very broad sense, lung tissue can be viewed as consisting of “airways” and "air space’. **Airways** refer to the tubes which bring air into the lungs (i.e. the bronchi and bronchioles). **Air space** refers to that part of the lung where the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place (i.e. deeper down in the lungs than the airways). Infection/inflammation of the airways is what we call bronchitis (or, sometimes, bronchiolitis). Infection/inflammation of the airspaces is what we usually call pneumonia. One can try to distinguish between the two by using the history, physical exam, and X-rays. Often, the label of pneumonia as opposed to bronchitis is a bit tenuous. By and large, airway infections are viral, whereas airspace infections can be viral, bacterial or even fungal. Does this help? ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/3 "2005-11-17T04:37:00Z")
Probably more than you wanted to know about [pneumonia](http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc64.html) Pneumonia is an infection within the lung itself. Bronchitis is in the bronchi, which are the first branches off the trachea (windpipe). Bronchitis is no fun, but it’s not nearly as dangerous, since the bronchi are relatively wide pipes that it would take a lot to block up completely. If the infection is down in the lung itself, tiny little sacs get obstructed, and the functionality of the lung is compromised. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/4 "2005-11-17T05:05:40Z")
> [@Ringo](#): > > …he’s got me taking Levaquin. Tell him you prefer [Lagavulin](http://www.scotchwhisky.com/focus/lagavulin.htm). ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/5 "2005-11-17T05:11:08Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Tell him you prefer [Lagavulin](http://www.scotchwhisky.com/focus/lagavulin.htm). You know, I think you’re right - Lagavulin has an awfully medicinal taste. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/6 "2005-11-17T15:34:58Z")
I used to get pneumonia every year, and my doctor always showed me my X-ray and pointed out little fuzzy spots in my lungs. So I define pneumonia as little critters building condos in your lungs. My last bout of pneumonia put me in the hospital, and after that I got a pneumonia shot. Not only have I not had pneumonia in the past three years, but I have not had the flu or a cold either. Some information from the [American Lung Association.](http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35692) > [@](#): > > “Pneumonia” encompasses many different diseases that involve infection or inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia affects the lungs in two ways. Lobar pneumonia affects a lobe of the lungs, and bronchial pneumonia can affect patches throughout both lungs. and > [@](#): > > A vaccine is also available for bacterial pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria populations and is effective in approximately 80 percent of healthy adults. Unfortunately, the vaccine may be less effective in people in high risk groups. People over age 65 and those in high-risk groups are still advised to receive the pneumonia vaccine. The vaccination is usually a one-time thing, but I have to get one every five years. ---
**Author:** ![power\_sawyer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@power\_sawyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/power_sawyer)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-it-become-pneumonia/331444/7 "2005-11-17T20:27:38Z")
The key distinction is when the lungs travel independently of the chest wall. That’s a sign of too much fluid, and is dangerous, since it’s a minor lung collapse.