Lung infections can cause a variety of symptoms that may make you feel unwell. The most common lung infections are bronchitis and pneumonia. Both bacterial and viral infections can affect the lungs. Depending on the type of infection, lung infections can range from mild to severe. Let’s explore the different symptoms you may experience with a lung infection.
Common Lung Infection Symptoms
Here are some of the most common symptoms of a lung infection:
Cough
One of the hallmark symptoms of any type of lung infection is a cough. Coughing helps your body clear excess mucus and fluids from the lungs. The cough may start out dry but later produce phlegm or mucus. The color and consistency of the phlegm can provide clues as to the type of infection.
With pneumonia, the cough is often productive with thick or rust-colored mucus or phlegm. A cough that produces green, yellow or brown mucus may indicate a bacterial infection.
A dry, scratchy cough is more characteristic of a viral lung infection like bronchitis or a cold. The cough tends to be worse at night and may make it difficult to sleep. Cough medicines or cough drops can help suppress the cough reflex.
Difficulty Breathing
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can occur with lung infections. Breathing may be rapid and shallow. Or you may feel like you can’t catch your breath or get enough air inhaled.
Breathing difficulty indicates the infection is involving the lower respiratory tract. This requires prompt medical evaluation as it can be life-threatening if the infection progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Wheezing upon exhalation may accompany troubled breathing. Wheezing occurs when the bronchial tubes swell and narrow. The air moving through the tightened airways creates a whistling sound as you breathe.
Chest Pain
Chest pain can manifest with lung infections like pneumonia or bronchitis. The type of chest pain may include:
– Sharp, stabbing pains when inhaling or coughing
– Aching or tightness in the chest
– Burning sensation when breathing deeply
Chest pain results from inflammation in the lungs and pleural lining. The pleura are the membranes enveloping the lungs. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleural layers.
The buildup of fluid between lung layers, called pleural effusion, also provokes chest pain. Bacterial pneumonia is a common cause of pleural effusion.
Fever and Chills
A higher than normal body temperature is a sign the immune system is fighting an infection. Fevers with lung infections tend to be mild to moderate, in the 100-102°F (37.8-39°C) range.
Chills may accompany a fever. Bouts of shivering and shaking occur as the fever comes on. The chills are your body’s way of raising the temperature to create a hostile environment for invading bacteria or viruses.
Fatigue
Feeling extremely tired and weak is characteristic of many types of infections. Your body is diverting energy to mount an immune response. This leaves you feeling drained and fatigued.
Headache
Lung infections may trigger headaches in some individuals. Sinus congestion and postnasal drip from excessive mucus can cause sinus headache pain. Headaches may also result from coughing fits.
Sore Throat
A scratchy, irritated throat can occur at the onset of a lung infection like bronchitis. This reflects swelling in the trachea and bronchial tubes. Postnasal drip sliding down the throat creates soreness. Frequent coughing can also make the throat feel raw.
Loss of Appetite
Having little interest in eating is common when you’re sick. Poor appetite stems from fatigue, illness, fever, headache, sinus congestion, and abnormal taste perceptions. Loss of appetite may persist until the infection clears.
When To See a Doctor
You should consult a doctor if you experience:
– High fever over 102°F (39°C)
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Chest pain, especially when breathing
– Blood in mucus
– Confusion or disorientation
– Persistent symptoms beyond one week
Emergency care is warranted for:
– Severe shortness of breath or respiratory distress
– Blue tinge to lips or nails – sign of oxygen deprivation
– Uncontrolled cough with copious phlegm
– Cough producing bloody or rusty-colored sputum
Lung Infection Types
Some lung infections have distinctive symptoms that can help identify the cause. Here is an overview of common infections and associated symptoms:
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia often comes on suddenly and causes:
– High fever with chills
– Productive cough with thick yellow/green phlegm
– Sharp chest pain when breathing or coughing
– Rapid, shallow breathing
– Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Viral Pneumonia
Viral pneumonia develops more gradually than bacterial pneumonia. Symptoms tend to be milder and include:
– Low-grade fever
– Dry cough initially then wet cough
– Mild fatigue
– Headache
– Body aches
Bronchitis
Both viral and bacterial infections can cause bronchitis. Common bronchitis symptoms include:
– Dry, hacking cough initially
– Low-grade fever
– Sore throat
– Congestion
– Fatigue and weakness
– Mild body aches
Tuberculosis
TB is caused by bacterial infection. Symptoms include:
– Persistent cough lasting over 3 weeks
– Coughing up blood or phlegm
– Fever and chills
– Unexplained weight loss
– Night sweats
– Loss of appetite
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
This highly contagious respiratory illness causes aggressive coughing spells ending with a “whooping” sound. Symptoms include:
– Runny nose
– Low-grade fever
– Severe hacking cough followed by high-pitched intake of breath
– Vomiting after coughing fits
– Exhaustion after coughing episodes
Lung Abscess
A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lungs. Symptoms may include:
– Foul-smelling phlegm when coughing
– Chest pain when breathing
– Shortness of breath
– Fatigue and malaise
– Fever and chills
– Night sweats
Risk Factors
Certain people have increased vulnerability to lung infections. Risk factors include:
– Age over 65 years
– Smoking – damages lungs’ defense system
– Chronic lung disease – COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis
– Weak immune system – leukemia, HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy
– Hospitalization and surgery – exposure to germs
– Mechanical ventilation
– Diabetes mellitus
– Congestive heart failure
Complications
Serious complications can develop from lung infections, especially pneumonia. Potential complications include:
– Respiratory failure
– Sepsis – body-wide infection spreading via bloodstream
– Pleural effusion – fluid accumulation around lungs
– Lung abscess – pocket of pus within lung tissue
– Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Diagnosis
Doctors use various tests and procedures to diagnose lung infections:
– Medical history and physical exam – assess symptoms and listen to lungs
– Chest X-ray – detects areas of infection and inflammation
– CT scan – provides detailed lung images
– Sputum analysis – examines mucus under a microscope
– Blood tests – assess white blood cell levels
– Pulse oximetry – measures blood oxygen saturation
– Lung function tests – evaluate respiratory status
Identifying the type of pathogen is key to proper treatment. Bacteria can be detected using sputum culture or molecular testing methods. Viruses may be found through rapid antigen detection tests.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on eliminating the lung infection and easing symptoms. Options may include:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia, bronchitis, TB and other bacterial lung infections. They are ineffective against viruses. Bacterial culture results help guide appropriate antibiotic selection.
Antivirals
Antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may be used for influenza and COVID-19. They help shorten infection duration and severity if started early.
Bronchodilators
Inhaled bronchodilator medicines open airways and relieve coughing and wheezing symptoms. They include short-acting beta agonists like albuterol.
Cough Medicine
Cough suppressants, mucolytics, and throat lozenges can provide symptomatic relief for nonproductive coughs. Expectorants help loosen mucus with productive coughs.
Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula or face mask may be necessary with low blood oxygen levels.
IV Fluids
Intravenous fluid administration provides hydration and prevents dehydration from fever, sweating and poor fluid intake.
Pain Relievers
Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen help reduce fever and alleviate headache, muscle aches, and chest discomfort.
Getting Rest
Adequate rest allows the body to direct its energy toward fighting infection. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated as well.
Most mild to moderate lung infections can be managed on an outpatient basis with supportive self-care and oral medications. More serious illness requires hospitalization for intravenous medications, oxygen support, and intensive monitoring.
Prevention
You can take measures to prevent lung infections:
– Get recommended vaccines – influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal
– Wash hands frequently
– Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
– Control chronic health conditions
– Avoid exposure to infections
– Improve immunity with healthy diet, exercise and sleep
See your doctor for evaluation if you develop prolonged or worsening respiratory symptoms. Prompt antibiotic treatment can help prevent complications of lung infections. Pay attention to your body and seek medical care if you feel your lungs are affected by infection.