Chest x-ray initially showed a right lower lobe infiltrate, but several days later showed infiltrates throughout the right lung. Sputum culture grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Patchy areas of yellowish tan consolidation are present, consistent with bacterial pneumonia. The alveolar spaces are filled with an exudate containing numerous neutrophils along with some macrophages and pink strands of fibrin. Alveolar capillaries are congested and filled with RBC's.
Inflammation caused by viruses is typically interstitial and mostly composed of mononuclear cells.
However, the damage done by viral inflammation in the lung can predispose to bacterial infection. This is an acute pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae typically produces a lobar pattern of involvement.