What condition is characterized by inflammation in the air sacs of one or both lungs?

Pneumonia is characterized by inflammation in the air sacs, or alveoli, of one or both lungs. This condition can result from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. The inflammation causes the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, which is what impairs gas exchange and explains the respiratory symptoms associated with the condition.

In contrast, atelectasis refers to a collapse or incomplete expansion of the lung, which does not necessarily involve inflammation but rather the loss of air in the affected area. Congestive heart failure (CHF) primarily affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, which can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs but is not an inflammatory process limited to the air sacs. Paralytic ileus, on the other hand, relates to a temporary cessation of bowel activity and does not pertain to lung conditions at all.