Final answer:
Pulmonary embolism and pneumonia have different symptoms and causes. Pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot and can be life-threatening, while pneumonia is usually caused by an infection and can be treated with antibiotics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pulmonary embolism and pneumonia are both conditions that can affect the lungs, but they have different symptoms and causes.
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks a blood vessel. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, and coughing up blood. On the other hand, pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue usually caused by an infection. Symptoms of pneumonia may include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
An important difference between the two conditions is that a pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot, while pneumonia is usually caused by an infection. It's also worth noting that a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention, while pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics.