Question

What causes fluid accumulation during pneumonia?

Answer 1

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus.

Explanation:

Pneumonia is an acute inflammatory response deep in the lungs, in the alveoli. When lungs are infected or injured, pus accumulates there. Pus in the alveoli can be termed as pneumonia.

Pus accumulation in the lungs is crucial to the outcome. It may build up in the thin spaces between the layer of tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity. This pus contains blood elements, WBC's and plasma proteins. Accumulation of plasma proteins result in a fluid build up in the lungs, called pulmonary edema. An abscess may occur if pus forms in a cavity in the lungs.