A lung infection is precisely what it sounds like — an infection of one or both lungs. Such an infection occurs when a bacteria, virus or a fungus enters the lungs and causes inflammation. Lung infections range in severity, from mild to severe. Most lung infections require medical treatment, but more severe cases may require emergency medical attention.
There are a few types of lung infections a person can develop: pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitis. None of these are infections you should take lightly. However, if you live with a lung disorder, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you are at an increased risk of developing complications.
Regardless of your current health status, preventing lung infections is imperative for your long term health. Read on for more information on lung infections and what you can do to prevent one from affecting you.
A lung infection is an infection of one or both lungs. Such infections are caused by bacteria, a virus or a fungus. Depending on the infectious agent in question, the large bronchial tubes, the air passages that lead to the lungs or the lungs themselves may become infected. Regardless of the area of infection or what causes it, lung infections can result in uncomfortable to downright painful symptoms.
The symptoms of lung infection range in severity, from mild to life-threatening. Three main factors affect the severity of a lung infection. The first is whether the infection is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus. The second is the length of time the infection goes untreated. The third is whether a person has any underlying medical conditions, such as a weakened immune system or COPD. A few of the most common symptoms of lung infection are as follows:
If you have a bacterial lung infection, your fever may rise as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. In this case, you should definitely seek emergency medical attention.
If your fever lasts for three days or more, again, see a doctor.
Lung infections and their symptoms can be scary, but before you can understand how to prevent them, it is first important to understand their causes. There are three main causes of lung infection:
Unfortunately, given that many viral and lung infections stem from everyday viruses and bacteria, they are not always preventable. That said, you can take steps to protect yourself with the following tips:
Some groups of individuals are more at risk than others. Individuals within these groups should take extra precautions to reduce their risk of lung infection, such as by getting the PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or PPSV23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. These immunizations are designed for the following groups of people:
Additional tips for preventing lung infections include keeping infants and elderly persons from swallowing small objects, avoiding second-hand smoke, ensuring children get the measles and whooping cough vaccines, and staying indoors when pollution levels are high.
For many healthy people, lung infections cause symptoms that are similar to cold and flu. Like cold and flu symptoms, they typically clear up on their own. However, they may be more severe and last longer.
That said, your immune system should be able to clear a viral lung infection on its own within a couple of weeks. For bacterial infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Some lung infections will not clear up on their own, though. In these cases, they grow progressively worse and trigger a myriad of alarming complications. If you should develop one or more of the following complications, contact your doctor right away:
If you are older than 65 years of age, or if you have a child or loved one who is younger than two years of age, seek medical attention as soon as you, he or she develops signs of lung infection. Do the same if you or a loved one lives with a chronic health condition or compromised immune system.