Which term is used to describe a bacterial infection in the lung?

Pneumonia is the term specifically used to describe an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When referring to bacterial pneumonia, it indicates that the infection is caused by bacterial pathogens, leading to inflammation in the lung tissue. This can result in symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

In contrast, asthma is a chronic condition characterized by airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, not an infection. COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, involves long-term respiratory issues primarily due to smoking or environmental factors and is not an infection. A heart murmur, meanwhile, refers to abnormal sounds during heartbeat due to turbulent blood flow, unrelated to lung infections. Therefore, pneumonia is the accurate term when identifying a bacterial infection in the lung.