Causes, symptoms, and treatment of lung infection
How do you treat a lung infection?
During respiration, the lungs release oxygen into the bloodstream, and the body’s cells need oxygen for their activities, and this oxygen is heavily inhaled by lung disease. Lung diseases include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and more.
Lung infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and sometimes even fungi, and one of the most common types of lung infections is pneumonia. Pneumonia, which affects the air sacs of the smaller lungs, is mostly caused by infectious bacteria but can also be caused by a virus.
How does a lung infection heal:
Viruses can also attack the lungs or airways that go to the lungs, and this is called bronchiolitis, and viral bronchiolitis is more common in babies.
Pulmonary infections such as pneumonia are usually mild but can be serious, especially for people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Symptoms of a lung infection:
Symptoms of a lung infection can range from mild to severe, depending on several factors, including your age and general health, and can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus. Symptoms may look like a cold or the flu, but they persist.
Cough that causes thick mucus
Coughing helps your body get rid of mucus caused by inflammation of the airways and lungs. This mucus may also contain blood.
In bronchitis or pneumonia, you may cough up thick mucus that may be a certain color, including:
- Transparent
- White
- Green
- White gray
Even after other symptoms improve, the cough can live for several weeks.
Chest pain
Chest pain from a lung infection is often described as sharp or suffocating. Chest pain worsens when you cough or take deep breaths, and sometimes you can feel severe pain in the middle of your back.
Fever
Fever occurs when the body tries to fight infection. Normal body temperature is usually around 37 degrees Celsius, and if you have a bacterial lung infection, your fever may reach 40.5 degrees Celsius.
Fever above 38.9 ° C often leads to many other symptoms, including:
- Sweating
- Muscle aches
- Dehydration
- Headache
It becomes weak
You should see a doctor if your fever is more than 38.9 degrees Celsius or more than three days.
Body pain
Your back muscles may be sore when you have a lung infection, and this is called Myalgia. Sometimes you can cause inflammation in your muscles that can cause pain if you have an infection.
runny nose
A runny nose and other flu-like symptoms such as sneezing are often associated with lung infections such as bronchitis.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath means that you feel it is difficult to breathe or can not breathe easily, and if you have trouble breathing, you should see a doctor immediately.
Fatigue
When the body combines the infection, you usually feel weak and tired. It is essential during this period.
Wheezing in the chest
When you exhale, you may hear whistling sounds called wheezing, which reduces the airways or inflammation.
Blue skin or lips
Due to lack of oxygen, your lips or nails may look a little blue.
What are the most common lung infections?
Causes of a lung infection:
- Bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis are three types of lung infections. A virus or bacteria usually causes them.
- The most commonly used bronchitis microorganisms are:
- Viruses such as influenza virus or respiratory distress virus (RSV)
- Bacteria such as Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Chlamydia Pneumoniae, and Bordetella Parvis
- The most common microorganisms responsible for pneumonia are:
- Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumonia (most common), Haemophilus influenza, and Mycoplasma.
Viruses such as influenza virus or RSV
Rarely, lung infections can be caused by fungi such as Pneumocystis gyrus, Aspergillus, and histoplasmosis capsules.
Lung fungal infections are more common in people with immune system problems and certain types of cancer or HIV or the use of immunosuppressive drugs.
Treatment of lung infection:
- Antibiotics are needed to treat a bacterial infection of the lungs. Fungal infections of the lungs require antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole.
- Antibiotics do not affect viral infections, and most of the time, you have to wait for your body to fight the infection on its own.
- In addition, you can help your body fight infection and relieve it with medication and care:
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce your fever.
- Drink lots of water.
- Try hot tea with honey or ginger.
- Use a humidifier to create humidity in the air.
- Use prescribed antibiotics for a while.
For severe lung infections, you may need to stay in the hospital during recovery. If you have trouble breathing, you may be given antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and breathing therapy during your stay.
Prevention of lung infection:
Not all lung infections can be prevented, but you can minimize your risk with the following:
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Avoid contact of contaminated hands with face or mouth.
- Do not share dishes, food, or drinks with other people.
- Avoid crowded and infected places.
- Do not smoke
- Get vaccinated every year to prevent catching the flu.