Symptoms of a lung infection are often mild, but in some cases, they can be life threatening. Worldwide, lung infections are a major cause of death; particularly for young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. Lung infection is also the leading cause of hospitalization in infants younger than 1 year old.
Read on to learn more about the different types of lung infections and how to get a diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Lung Infection
The most common types of lung infection are bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Tuberculosis (TB) is less common, and lung infections can be caused by several types of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Pneumonia (air sacs are filled with pus and other materia)
The branches of the bronchial network end in small air sacs called alveoli. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the alveoli caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or more rarely parasites.
Symptoms:
Cough that can produce phlegm
Chest pain when breathing or coughing
Shortness of breath, bluish color of lips
Fatigue
Fever, sweating, and chills
Possible low body temperature
Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis (swelling of airways)
Air moves into and out of the lungs through a tree-like network of bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is inflammation of the larger tubes, usually caused by a cold or flu virus. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the smaller bronchial tubes and primarily occurs under the age of 2 years, most frequently at the age 3 and 6 months old. Bronchiolitis is typically caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.
Symptoms:
Productive cough (white, clear, yellowish, or green mucus; bloody mucus is possible but rare)
Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain
Slight fever
Fatigue
Chest discomfort
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Almost all children under 2 years old will be exposed to RSV and adults can be infected by RSV as well. Most commonly RSV infects the upper respiratory tract, but it can cause a lung infection and lead to bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. Children who have difficulty breathing need immediate medical attention.
Symptoms:
Cold-like symptoms such as runny nose or congestion
Cough
Fever
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Fatigue
Dyspnea
Cyanosis (bluish tint around the mouth, lips, or fingernails)
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a particular type of bacterial lung infection that affects the lungs and may affect other organs too. It used to be the leading cause of death in the United States, but it is now curable with antibiotics.
Symptoms:
Cough that produces blood
Chest pain
Fatigue
Fever and chills
Night sweats
Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
A rare but serious lung infection caused by the hantavirus (a virus carried by mice and rats) can result in HPS. In its early stages, HPS is difficult to distinguish from a flu or pneumonia, but it can suddenly turn life threatening. If you have been around rodents and have pneumonia or flu-like symptoms, keep an eye out for changes in your symptoms.
Symptoms (early stage):
Fever and chills
Headache
Dizziness
Malaise
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Symptoms (after about 10 days of initial symptoms):
Productive cough
Shortness of breath
Hypotension
Build-up of fluid in the lungs
Reduced heart efficiency
Other Respiratory Tract infections
All the lung infections listed above are lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are distinct, but can cause a subsequent lung infection as a complication.
Common URTIs include:
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Common cold
Croup
Epiglottitis
If you think that you are suffering from a lung infection, it is important you see a doctor to get an official diagnosis. While it could just be a minor infection, you want to be sure you are not suffering from something more serious. Book an appointment with a PlushCare doctor today to discuss your symptoms and get proper treatment, including prescriptions when necessary. It's convenient, easy, and affordable.
Read More About Lung Infection
Sources
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bronchitis. Accessed on August 29, 2021 at
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bronchitis
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Bronchiolitis. Accessed on August 29, 2021 at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bronchiolitis
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Tuberculosis (TB). Accessed on August 29, 2021 at
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tuberculosis-tb
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Hantavirus. Accessed on June 19,2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/hps/symptoms.html
Mayo Clinic. Epiglottitis. Accessed on August 29,2021 at
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epiglottitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372227
