What is bronchial pneumonia?

Bronchial pneumonia, also known as bronchopneumonia, is a type of pneumonia that invades both lungs and the bronchi, notes Healthline. The bronchi, also called the bronchial tree, are the passages that bring air into the lungs. Bronchopneumonia differs from lobar pneumonia, which affects one or more lobes of the lung.

A common cause of bronchial pneumonia is exposure to a variety of bacteria and viruses, explains the Mayo Clinic. Less common causes are fungi, which are found in soil and bird droppings, and bacteria-like organisms that usually produce milder symptoms than other forms of pneumonia. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is often more serious because it can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.