Multifocal Pneumonia In its broadest definition, pneumonia is an infection of the lungs brought on by inflammation of the air sacs, or technically, alveoli, which fill with fluid or pus and cause symptoms like fever, chills, and coughing. However, pneumonia can be much more complex than that it can be brought on by a virus, bacteria, or fungus, acquired in a variety of settings (such as the community or a hospital), and the severity of the infection can even vary.
The diagnosis of multifocal pneumonia is rather more specific in terms of the extent of lung involvement. Raymond Casciari, MD, a pulmonologist and chief medical officer at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, told Health that the phrase “multifocal pneumonia” basically refers to pneumonia that occurs in multiple parts of the lung. “Multifocal could be two spots in the same lobe or two spots in different lobes,” Casciari stated.
A basic understanding of lung biology is necessary before you can comprehend multifocal pneumonia. The lobes, which resemble little balloons filled with sponge-like tissue, are the portions that make up your lungs. One Whereas your left lung has two lobes, your right lung has three.
Shweta Sood, MD, a pulmonary medicine specialist and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Penn Medicine, told Health that medical professionals can further categorize multifocal pneumonia by referring to it as unilateral multifocal pneumonia and bilateral multifocal pneumonia. “Unilateral pneumonia refers to pneumonia only affecting one lung—right or left,” said Dr. Sood. “Bilateral pneumonia tends to affect both lungs.”
Contents
Causes of Multifocal Pneumonia
In theory, the same bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause other forms of pneumonia can also produce multifocal pneumonia. According to Northwestern Medicine pulmonary and critical care specialist Khalilah Gates, MD, “if it’s multifocal, it’s more likely to be caused by a virus, like we’ve seen with COVID-19,” she told Health.
A few common cold and flu viruses, as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are additional possible causes of viral multifocal pneumonia.
According to Dr. Casciari, fungi like pneumocystis pneumonia, coccidioidomycosis, or cryptococcus, as well as bacteria like streptococcus pneumoniae or legionella pneumophila, can also cause multifocal pneumonia. “Multifocal pneumonia does not necessarily indicate the cause of the pneumonia,” Dr. Casciari clarified. “We still have to investigate.”
Symptoms
Symptoms of multifocal pneumonia are usually the same as other types of pneumonia, but “in general, multifocal pneumonia tends to be more severe,” said Dr. Casciari.
Symptoms of pneumonia can include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath
- Sputum production
- Chest pain when you breathe or cough
- “Some patients can be quite sick when they develop multifocal pneumonia,” said Dr. Sood. On the other hand, “most people may only have mild symptoms and be able to recover at home.”
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider will consider your medical history, physical examination, and test results when attempting to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia. During the medical history, you will be asked about your symptoms and risk factors for pneumonia, as well as any recent travel, your vaccination status for the flu and pneumonia, and whether you have been around other sick people. During the physical examination, they will also listen to your lungs and take your temperature.
Different facets of the condition are sought after by the tests used to diagnose pneumonia. The provider may employ a number of tests to make a diagnosis, including
- Chest x-rays: Indicates if there is lung inflammation
- Blood tests: Determines if the immune system is working against an infection
- Pulse oximetry: Measures blood oxygen levels with a small sensor
Depending on whether a patient has severe symptoms, other medical conditions, is hospitalized, elderly, or has other health issues, medical professionals may perform further tests (such as sputum, blood culture, or CT scan) to diagnose pneumonia.
Treating Multifocal Pneumonia
According to Dr. Gates, medical professionals like to treat pneumonia as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse. However, the exact course of treatment is contingent upon the underlying cause of the pneumonia. “You must identify the cause,” Dr. Casciari stated.
After diagnosing the cause of the pneumonia, medical professionals will recommend a course of treatment. “For patients with mild symptoms, treatment centers around rest, hydration, and good nutrition,” stated Dr. Sood.
According to Dr. Sood, the patient will receive antibiotics if the pneumonia is bacterial. “Most patients with viral pneumonia do not require antibiotics,” he noted. Depending on the origin of the infection, patients might instead be treated with an antiviral drug such as Veklury (remdesivir) or Tamiflu (oseltamivir).
Additionally, Dr. Casciari stated that antifungal medication will be used to treat patients who have fungal pneumonia.
The recovery time from pneumonia, in general, may vary by individual. Additionally, a person’s overall health matters with recovery from multifocal pneumonia. “Most healthy people with minimal underlying medical conditions usually recover from pneumonia with no issue over the course of several days,” said Dr. Sood. “Patients who have underlying medical conditions still may have good recovery, but it may take longer. In very severe cases, pneumonia can cause death.” Still, many people with multifocal pneumonia end up OK. “The main thing about multifocal pneumonia is getting the patient over the acute phase,” said Dr. Casciari. If we can help patients generally do well, and the lungs heal.
A Quick Review
Although it can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, multifocal pneumonia is a lung infection that affects more than one area of one or both lungs. The illness is most commonly caused by viruses, and its symptoms are typically more severe than those of other types of pneumonia. Multifocal pneumonia is diagnosed similarly to other types of pneumonia, and treatment options include rest, diet, and medication, depending on the cause.
