What is the term used to describe inflammation of the lungs caused by various agents including bacteria and viruses?

The term that describes inflammation of the lungs caused by various agents, such as bacteria and viruses, is pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious condition that can affect the air sacs in one or both lungs, leading to the accumulation of fluid or pus which can cause symptoms like cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

Understanding pneumonia is essential for coding and documentation purposes, as it can significantly impact a patient’s treatment plan and outcomes. The correct identification of the condition also affects reimbursement and care pathways in the healthcare system. Other terms like pneumothorax relate to the presence of air in the pleural space, atelectasis refers to the collapse of part or all of a lung, and emphysema describes a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that primarily affects the alveoli, therefore they do not accurately describe the inflammation of the lungs caused by infectious agents.