Smileband health topics

How Lung Infection Occurs

Pneumonia happens when bacteria, viruses, and less commonly fungi collect in a person's air sacs and begin to grow. The air sacs may become filled with pus and fluid, which can make breathing more difficult, cause chest pain, and lead to a cough that is different from a person's usual chronic cough associated with their disease.

The good news is that pneumonia may be prevented through proper hand washing and vaccinations.

If you or a loved one has COPD, a lung infection very well may occur at some point. While it's important to focus on preventing infection, you also want to be on top of one if signs and symptoms start to arise. In addition, it can be tricky sometimes to distinguish between a lung infection and a COPD flare.  

Symptoms of a Lung Infection 

Normal body temperature varies from person to person, but in general, it's around 98.6 F degrees. Having a fever—meaning a temperature at or higher than 100.4 F—is one sign that you may have a lung infection. With a fever, a person may also experience chills or shaking.  following signs and symptoms of lung infection should alert you to contact your doctor right away: