What happens if you have an infection in your lungs?

The infection causes the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) to become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for the oxygen you breathe in to get into your bloodstream. The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and include cough, fever, chills, and trouble breathing.

What happens if a lung infection goes untreated?

Untreated pneumonia can also lead to a lung abscess, where part of the lung tissue dies. And, in very rare cases, respiratory failure can occur. These complications can be reduced, or avoided altogether, with prompt diagnosis and proper treatment. Your doctor relies on several tools to help diagnose pneumonia.

Can infection in lungs be cured?

The bottom line. A lung infection causes symptoms similar to the cold or flu, but may be more severe and typically last longer. Your immune system will typically be able to clear a viral lung infection over time. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial lung infections.

What is best antibiotic for lung infection?

Amoxicillin is the preferred treatment in patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Short-course antibiotic therapy (median of five days’ duration) is as effective as longer-course treatment (median of 10 days’ duration) in patients with acute, uncomplicated bacterial rhinosinusitis.

What are the most common symptoms of a lung infection?

Cough that produces thick mucus. Coughing helps to rid your body of the mucus produced from inflammation of the airways and lungs.

How do you get a lung infection?

A lung infection occurs when lungs get exposed to bacteria, viruses, or other disease-causing agents present in our surroundings. Pathogens that cause such infections can spread to others through physical contact, especially through inhalation of respiratory secretions.

What causes infection in the lungs?

Other common causes of lung infection are genetics, age, and exposure to breathing in particles, like dust, smoke, chemicals, and asbestos. Diseases such as arthritis, scleroderma , and lupus can cause health problems in the lungs as well.

Is a lung infection considered very serious?

Lung infections like pneumonia are usually mild, but they can be serious , especially for people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Read on to learn the most common symptoms of a lung infection and what treatment you can expect if you have one.