What is the Difference Between Atelectasis and Pneumonia

The key difference between atelectasis and pneumonia is that atelectasis is the complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area of the lung due to deflated air sacs (alveoli), while pneumonia is the inflammation of the lung tissue caused due to a bacterial, viral, or other infection.

Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents normal lung function. These conditions also prevent the lungs from working properly. There are numerous lung diseases. The most common lung diseases are atelectasis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, lung infection, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary embolus.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Atelectasis
3. What is Pneumonia
4. Similarities – Atelectasis and Pneumonia
5. Atelectasis vs Pneumonia in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Atelectasis vs Pneumonia

What is Atelectasis?

Atelectasis is the complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area of the lung. It occurs when the alveoli within the lungs become deflated or possibly filled with alveolar fluid. Atelectasis is the most common breathing complication after surgery. It is also a possible complication of other respiratory problems, including cystic fibrosis, lung tumors, chest injuries, fluid in the lung, and respiratory weakness. Atelectasis occurs in two ways: obstructive and non-obstructive. The obstructive type occurs from a blocked airway, while the non-obstructive type occurs due to pressure from outside the lung. Obstructive atelectasis may be caused by many things, including mucus plugs, foreign bodies (peanuts, small toy parts, etc.), and tumors inside the airway. Non-obstructive atelectasis may be caused by many things, including injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, scarring of lung tissue, and tumors.

Atelectasis vs Pneumonia in Tabular Form

Figure 01: Atelectasis

The sign and symptoms of atelectasis include difficulty breathing, rapid shallow breathing, wheezing, cough, increased heart rate, and skin and lips turning blue. Moreover, diagnosis methods include CT scan, oximetry, ultrasound of the thorax, and bronchoscopy. The treatment options for this condition are chest physiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and breathing treatments (continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP).

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is the inflammation of lung tissue due to a bacterial, viral, or other infection. Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is more serious for infants and young children, and people older than age 65. People with health problems or weakened immunity are also in danger due to this condition. Community-acquired pneumonia occurs due to infections by bacteria, bacteria-like organisms, fungi, and viruses. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection seen in people who live in long-term care facilities. Moreover, aspiration pneumonia is due to inhaling food, drink, vomit, or saliva into the lungs.

Atelectasis and Pneumonia - Side by Side Comparison

Figure 02: Pneumonia

The symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain while breathing or coughing, confusion or changes in mental awareness, cough that produces phlegm, fatigue, fever, sweating, shaking, chills, lower body temperature, and shortness of breath. The diagnosis methods for this condition are blood tests, chest X-rays, pulse oximetry, sputum test, CT scan, and pleural fluid culture. Furthermore, the treatment options for pneumonia include antibiotics (azithromycin or erythromycin), cough medicine (cough suppressants), and pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen).

What are the Similarities Between Atelectasis and Pneumonia?

Atelectasis and pneumonia are two main lung diseases.
Non-obstructive atelectasis may be caused by pneumonia.
Both lung diseases have similar symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, and cough.
Old age people are at great risk in both conditions.
They are treatable conditions.

What is the Difference Between Atelectasis and Pneumonia?

Atelectasis is the complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area of the lung due to deflated air sacs (alveoli), while pneumonia is the inflammation of lung tissue due to bacterial, viral, or other infection. Thus, this is the key difference between atelectasis and pneumonia. Furthermore, atelectasis can occur due to mucus plug, foreign body (peanut, small toy part), tumor inside the airway, injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, scarring of lung tissue, and other tumors. On the other hand, pneumonia can be caused due to infections by bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, bacteria-like organisms, fungi, viruses, and inhaling food, drink, vomit, or saliva into the lungs.

The below infographic presents the differences between atelectasis and pneumonia in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Atelectasis vs Pneumonia

Atelectasis and pneumonia are two main lung diseases that prevent the lungs from working properly. Atelectasis is the complete or partial collapse of the entire lung or area of the lung due to deflated air sacs (alveoli). Pneumonia is the inflammation of lung tissue due to a bacterial, viral, or other infection. So, this is the key difference between atelectasis and pneumonia.

Reference:

1. “Atelectasis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. Normandin, Bree. “Everything You Need to Know about Pneumonia.” Healthline, Healthline Media.