Viral pneumonia pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Viruses
- Viruses must invade cells in order to reproduce.
- Typically, a virus will reach the lungs by traveling in droplets through the mouth and nose with inhalation.
- There, the virus invades the cells lining the airways and the alveoli.
- This invasion often leads to cell death either by directly killing the virus or by self-destruction through apoptosis.
- Further damage to the lungs occurs when the immune system responds to the infection. White blood cells, in particular lymphocytes, are responsible for activating a variety of chemicals (cytokines) which cause leaking of fluid into the alveoli.
- The combination of cellular destruction and fluid-filled alveoli interrupts the transportation of oxygen into the bloodstream.
- In addition to the effects on the lungs, many viruses affect other organs and can lead to illness affecting many different bodily functions.
- Viruses also make the body more susceptible to bacterial infection; for this reason, bacterial pneumonia often complicates viral CAP.