Whole sections of the lung tissue become solidified by inflammatory material, so that air cannot enter the alveoli. A chest x-ray is usually made to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. Sputum cultures may be done to identify the causative organism. Lobar pneumonia strikes suddenly. Pulse and respiration increase to almost twice their normal rates.
Bronchopneumonia is a less dramatic form of pneumonia that is more prevalent than lobar pneumonia.
The area affected is usually smaller than in the lobar type. The inflammation is localized in or around the bronchi, and causes the lung to be spotted with clusters of infected tissue. The symptoms appear gradually and are usually milder than in lobar pneumonia. The temperature rises more slowly and does not go as high, and there is no crisis as in lobar pneumonia. Bronchopneumonia is rarely fatal except in patients with heart disease or other complications.