Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes due to breathing in a foreign material.

Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling foreign material (usually food, liquids, vomit, or secretions from the mouth) into the lungs. This may lead to an inflammatory reaction, a lung infection (pneumonia), or a collection of pus in the lungs (lung abscess).

Aspiration of foreign material (often the stomach contents) into the lung can occur with disorders that affect normal swallowing or disorders of the esophagus (esophageal stricture, gastroesophageal reflux). It also can be caused by a decreased or absent gag reflex in people who are not alert (conscious or semi-conscious).

Old age, dental problems, sedatives, anesthesia, coma, and excessive alcohol use can also lead to this problem. The more acidic the material breathed into the lungs, the more severe the lung injury -- although it may not necessarily lead to pneumonia.

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough:
  • With foul-smelling sputum
  • With sputum containing pus or blood
  • With greenish sputum
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Wheezing

• Sweating, excessive
• Swallowing difficulty
• Breath odor

Physical examination may reveal crackling sounds in the lungs.

These tests also help diagnose this condition:

• Chest x-ray
• Sputum culture
• CBC
• Blood culture
• Bronchoscopy
• Swallowing studies
• CT scan of the chest