Aspiration pneumonia and chemical pneumonitis

[Jessica]

Aspiration pneumonia is lung infection caused by inhaling mouth secretions, stomach contents, or both. Chemical pneumonitis is lung irritation caused by inhalation of substances toxic to the lungs.

Symptoms include cough and shortness of breath.
Doctors make the diagnosis on the basis of the person’s symptoms and a chest x-ray.
Treatment and prognosis differ depending on the substance that was aspirated.

Aspiration pneumonia and chemical pneumonitis are often considered together because they both involve lung inflammation caused by inhaling substances that irritate the lungs. The inflammation makes the lungs more susceptible to bacterial infection. Drowning may also cause inflammation of the lungs and is discussed elsewhere.
(See also Overview of Pneumonia.)