Lung infection

Description

Pneumonia or infection in the lungs. Alveoli may be filled with fluid (pus) which causes difficult breathing and breathing disturbances. Pneumonia may be severe and is frequent cause of death. Certain risk factors like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, compromised immune system and poor nutrition, increase the risk for development of pneumonia. Pneumococcal vaccine protects from the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Symptoms

Cough with greenish or yellow sputum, bloody sputum, fever and chills, sharp and penetrating chest pain, chest pain which worsens with deep breathing or cough, rapid shallow breathing, difficult breathing, weak pulse.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. X-rays confirms diagnosis. Blood analysis, sputum culture and hemoculture may identify the cause and severity of the infection. CT scan is also done sometimes, especially if pleural effusion is present.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan and X-rays.

Additional analyses

Hemoculture, sputum culture, arterial blood gas test.

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine, Pulmology

Therapy

Antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, doxycycline). Pneumonia may require hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotics. Supplementary oxygen may be necessary until condition improves. Severe cases may require mechanical ventilation.