Pneumonitis is a general term describing inflammation of lung tissue that isn't caused by an infection.
Understanding Pneumonitis
While pneumonia is also inflammation of the lung tissue, pneumonitis specifically refers to inflammation not caused by an infection. Let’s break down the key aspects:
Key Differences
| Feature | Pneumonitis | Pneumonia |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Non-infectious inflammation | Infection (bacterial, viral, etc.) |
| Nature | Irritation, swelling of lung tissue | Infection-induced lung inflammation |
What Happens in Pneumonitis?
- The lung tissue swells and becomes irritated.
- This inflammation can make it hard to breathe.
Causes of Pneumonitis:
Pneumonitis can arise from various factors, not including infections, such as:
- Exposure to toxins.
- Certain medications.
- Radiation therapy to the chest.
- Autoimmune diseases.
Practical Insight:
It's crucial to distinguish pneumonitis from pneumonia because the treatments are different. Pneumonitis often needs management of the underlying cause and control of inflammation, rather than antibiotic treatment that would be used for pneumonia.
