Types of Lung Infections
Lung infections happen when a virus, bacteria or fungus cause irritation, swelling or damage to lung tissue. Lung infections can be caused by breathing in droplets of liquid spread by an infected person, or by touching a surface with a virus or bacterial on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
Here are a few common lung infections:
Acute Bronchitis, or Chest Cold
Acute bronchitis is an infection in the large airways (bronchi) that connect the windpipe, or trachea, to the smaller airways of the lungs, known as bronchioles. Acute bronchitis causes the bronchi to swell and make extra mucus. It’s typically caused by a virus but can also be caused by bacteria.
COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus, one of a collection of viruses that can cause lung infections through a buildup of fluid and debris in the lungs. COPD doesn’t make catching coronaviruses more likely, but it does increase the risk of complications.
Influenza, or the Flu
The flu is caused by a virus, with symptoms that can range from mild to severe, such as pneumonia or sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that impacts the whole body. People with COPD are at higher risk for these types of complications. Ask your health care provider about getting the flu vaccine.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a viral infection that is most common in children, although anyone can contract it. Symptoms of RSV are usually mild, but can be severe in people with COPD. For older adults, RSV causes about 14,000 deaths and more than 177,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection that causes the air sacs, or alveoli, in one or both lungs to fill up with fluid or pus. It’s often a complication of other lung infections. Having COPD or another lung disease, smoking or being hospitalized raises the risk of life-threatening complications, like fluid build-up between lung tissue, an abscess in the lung, or sepsis. Ask your medical provider about the pneumococcal vaccine.
Symptoms of Lung Infections
Lung infection symptoms can be of the same as those for COPD and other lung diseases, particularly coughing, feeling short of breath, tightness in the chest, tiredness or wheezing. However, there are things to look for that may point to a lung infection:
- Changes in mucus amount, color, thickness, or smell
- Changes in the type of cough or how often you cough
- Chills
- Fever of 100.4 or higher
- New headache or muscle pain
- New sharp or stabbing chest pain
- Sore throat
More serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:
- A bluish color in your skin, lips or nails—a sign of low oxygen level in your blood
- New or sudden confusion
Whenever you notice changes in your COPD symptoms or if any symptom worries you, talk with your healthcare provider to determine next steps.
Preventing Lung Infections
Many lung infections are preventable by doing a few simple things:
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces such as handrails, light switches, and countertops regularly.
- Don’t share utensils, straws or food.
- Keep at least six feet away from others in public.
- Get vaccines recommended by your primary care provider or pulmonologist.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public.
Staying Healthy with COPD
One of the best ways to lower the risk of complications from a lung infection is to maintain your lung health and manage your COPD. Check out this UMMS webinar, Let’s Talk About Health, to learn more about managing your medical conditions and follow these tips:
- Avoid secondhand smoke.
- Don’t smoke, vape, or use e-cigarettes.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Keep all scheduled medical appointments even if you don’t feel sick.
- Manage stress.
- Pay attention to the air quality and avoid COPD triggers.
- Stay active and exercise.
- Take all medications as prescribed.
If you think you may have symptoms of a lung infection or have questions about how to manage COPD, speak with your medical provider.
