Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComplicationsRisk FactorsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Complications
Risk Factors
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Even mild cases of pneumonia have the potential to cause complications, so no occurrence should be taken lightly. The severity of symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
This article will discuss the complications of pneumonia and the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment.
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Complications of Pneumonia
This section provides examples of possible complications of pneumonia. It’s important to note that most of the below complications require chest imaging to diagnose.
Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion usually results from bacterial pneumonia, although any type of pneumonia can cause this to form. Symptoms include:
If a pleural effusion results from pneumonia, your healthcare provider may also watch for the potential development of anempyema, a collection of pus in the space between the chest wall and lungs called the pleural cavity.
Collapsed Lung
Clinically known as apneumothorax, a collapsed lung is a rare complication of pneumonia. In a collapsed lung, air escapes the lung and gets trapped in the pleural cavity, resulting in an increase in pressure that hinders the lung’s ability to expand and fill with air when you take a breath.
A tall, thin person is at the highest risk of a collapsed lung but anyone can develop this condition, especially if they have pneumonia.
Symptoms include:
Respiratory Failure
To survive, you need to take oxygen into your lungs and breathe out carbon dioxide. Any condition that compromises your ability to do so can lead torespiratory failure, a life-threatening condition that develops when the lungs can’t get enough oxygen into the blood.
The inflammation and infections that cause pneumonia can injure the lungs, slowing oxygen delivery to vital tissues and causing carbon dioxide to build up, damaging the tissues and organs.
Respiratory failure is a medical emergency. It can happen suddenly or over a long period of time. If you have pneumonia and experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
Lung Abscess
Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of aprimary lung abscess, a death of the lung tissue that leads to the formation of pus-filled cavities. The formation of one or multiple small (less than 2 centimeters) abscesses is occasionally referred to as necrotizing pneumonia.
Lung abscess commonly presents with:
Renal Failure
Studies show that pneumonia puts you at increased risk ofchronic kidney disease(CKD), and CKD can cause pneumonia.
The bacteria that cause pneumonia can get into the bloodstream, infecting your kidneys and several other organs along the way, while chronic kidney disease can weaken your immune system making you vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
Renal failure is much more likely in those with bacteremia or respiratory failure because the kidneys are not getting enough blood—and therefore oxygen—to perform their job.
Bacteremia and Sepsis
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of the life-threatening medical emergencysepsis.
Bacteremia is the presence of viable bacteria in the circulating blood and a major cause of sepsis. Sepsis is systemic (body-wide) organ failure as a result of bacterial infection. Bacteria should never be present in the blood. When this occurs the body works hard to eliminate the infection from the bloodstream. During the process, the body can start to damage its own organs.
The stress of your illness and compromised pulmonary functions means the body is not getting the oxygen it desperately needs. Over time this can lead to permanent organ damage and even death. Damage to any of these three organs can present as:
Risk Factors for Pneumonia Complications
There are factors that put someone at a greater risk for experiencing pneumonia complications. These risks are outlined below.
Age
Pneumonia has a high prevalence in very young children and very old adults. To be clear, pneumonia can affect anyone at any age, but the two age groups with the highest prevalence, both for contracting it and for having more severe cases, are children under 2 years old and adults 65 years old and over.
Being Hospitalized
The germs that cause pneumonia in the hospital can also spread quickly from healthcare workers who pass them off to patients and each other (and vice versa) from their hands, clothes, or the instruments they use. This underscores the importance of handwashing, wearing protective gowns, and taking other safety measures.
Of note, people on a respirator or ventilator—those who are unconscious or in a coma—and those who cannot feed themselves are not only more prone to hospital-acquired pneumonia but alsoaspiration pneumonia.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes can damage the lungs, leaving them vulnerable to infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
What to Know About Nicotine Withdrawal
Being Immunocompromised
If you have a medical condition that weakens the immune system like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),diabetes, and cancer; use steroids long-term (especially to manage autoimmune diseases or after organ transplantation); or experience functional and natural declines in your immune system as you age, you are more vulnerable to even relatively harmless germs. This is because under certain conditions your body’s natural defense system becomes compromised.
Therefore, the best ways to strengthen your immune system are to manage any underlying conditions you may have, stay active, keep your weight within a healthy range, and lead a generally healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and drinking little to no alcohol.
Chronic Disease
You’re more likely to get pneumonia if you have a chronic respiratory condition likeasthmaorchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),diabetes, orheart disease. Individuals with one or more of these conditions are at increased risk of developingcommunity-acquired pneumococcal diseasecompared with those without these conditions. Therefore, the need to get thepneumonia vaccineis important in people with chronic respiratory conditions.
Preventing Complications of Pneumonia
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines are incredibly safe and effective, but they can have side effects. Speak to a healthcare provider so you know what to expect with each vaccine.
Of note, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that infants younger than 2 years old take four doses of the pneumonia shot. These would be given at two months, four months, and six months old. They should also get a booster between 12 and 15 months. Adults age 65 years old and older should get vaccines that help prevent bacterial pneumonia.
The CDC has also updated its guidelines to indicate that adults 65 years and older may need only one of these vaccines, but they are still eligible for both.
Practice Good Hygiene
One of the best ways to prevent respiratory infections is to practice proper hygiene. Some useful techniques include:
Don’t Smoke
The chemicals in cigarettes can compromise the immune system, lowering its ability to defend you from the organisms that make you sick. Never smoking or quitting if you do smoke are effective ways to lower your pneumonia risk.
Boost Your Immune System
Many products on the market promise to boost your immune system and safeguard you from disease-causing germs in the environment. However, boosting your immune system is less about taking natural herbs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and more about living as healthy a lifestyle as possible.
Your immune system is most efficient when protected from environmental hazards. It may help to do the following:
Summary
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can lead to a variety of health complications including pleural effusion, lung abscess, organ and respiratory failure, and sepsis, especially if left untreated.
A Word From Verywell
Prevention is the single best way to avoid medical complications from pneumonia. Practicing proper hygiene, getting vaccinated, and living a healthy lifestyle can help you avoid life-threatening conditions.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAcute respiratory distress (ARDS) and respiratory failure are the most common complications of serious pneumonia.Yes, pneumonia can damage the lungs and cause a myriad of complications, including exudativepleural effusions,pneumothorax, and a compromised ability to oxygenate the blood, which can lead to systemic organ failure.
Acute respiratory distress (ARDS) and respiratory failure are the most common complications of serious pneumonia.
Yes, pneumonia can damage the lungs and cause a myriad of complications, including exudativepleural effusions,pneumothorax, and a compromised ability to oxygenate the blood, which can lead to systemic organ failure.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jany B, Welte T.Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377MedlinePlus.Collapsed lung.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Chou, Y.C.; Wang, S.M.; Liang, C.C.; Chang, C.T.; Liu, J.H.; Wang, I.K.; Hsiao, L.C.; Muo, C.H.; Huang, C.C.; Wang, R.Y.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings.Medicine: December 2014 - Volume 93 - Issue 27 - p e174 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen C you, Hsu S chang, Hsieh H ling, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.Cheungpasitporn W, ed. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.Storms, A.D., Chen, J., Jackson, L.A. et al.Rates and risk factors associated with hospitalization for pneumonia with ICU admission among adults.BMC Pulm Med17, 208 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12890-017-0552-xTorres A, Blasi F, Dartois N, et al.Which individuals are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease and why? Impact of COPD, asthma, smoking, diabetes, and/or chronic heart disease on community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.Thorax2015;70:984-989. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-206780Berical AC, Harris D, Dela Cruz CS, Possick JD.Pneumococcal vaccination strategies. An update and perspective.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016;13(6):933-944. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-778FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumonia prevention and control.Harvard Health.How to boost your immune system.Davis RE, Dougherty E, McArthur C, Huang QS, Baker MG.Cold, dry air is associated with influenza and pneumonia mortality in Auckland, New Zealand.Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Jul;10(4):310-3. doi:10.1111/irv.12369
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jany B, Welte T.Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377MedlinePlus.Collapsed lung.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Chou, Y.C.; Wang, S.M.; Liang, C.C.; Chang, C.T.; Liu, J.H.; Wang, I.K.; Hsiao, L.C.; Muo, C.H.; Huang, C.C.; Wang, R.Y.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings.Medicine: December 2014 - Volume 93 - Issue 27 - p e174 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen C you, Hsu S chang, Hsieh H ling, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.Cheungpasitporn W, ed. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.Storms, A.D., Chen, J., Jackson, L.A. et al.Rates and risk factors associated with hospitalization for pneumonia with ICU admission among adults.BMC Pulm Med17, 208 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12890-017-0552-xTorres A, Blasi F, Dartois N, et al.Which individuals are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease and why? Impact of COPD, asthma, smoking, diabetes, and/or chronic heart disease on community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.Thorax2015;70:984-989. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-206780Berical AC, Harris D, Dela Cruz CS, Possick JD.Pneumococcal vaccination strategies. An update and perspective.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016;13(6):933-944. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-778FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumonia prevention and control.Harvard Health.How to boost your immune system.Davis RE, Dougherty E, McArthur C, Huang QS, Baker MG.Cold, dry air is associated with influenza and pneumonia mortality in Auckland, New Zealand.Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Jul;10(4):310-3. doi:10.1111/irv.12369
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Jany B, Welte T.Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377MedlinePlus.Collapsed lung.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Chou, Y.C.; Wang, S.M.; Liang, C.C.; Chang, C.T.; Liu, J.H.; Wang, I.K.; Hsiao, L.C.; Muo, C.H.; Huang, C.C.; Wang, R.Y.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings.Medicine: December 2014 - Volume 93 - Issue 27 - p e174 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen C you, Hsu S chang, Hsieh H ling, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.Cheungpasitporn W, ed. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.Storms, A.D., Chen, J., Jackson, L.A. et al.Rates and risk factors associated with hospitalization for pneumonia with ICU admission among adults.BMC Pulm Med17, 208 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12890-017-0552-xTorres A, Blasi F, Dartois N, et al.Which individuals are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease and why? Impact of COPD, asthma, smoking, diabetes, and/or chronic heart disease on community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.Thorax2015;70:984-989. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-206780Berical AC, Harris D, Dela Cruz CS, Possick JD.Pneumococcal vaccination strategies. An update and perspective.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016;13(6):933-944. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-778FRCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumonia prevention and control.Harvard Health.How to boost your immune system.Davis RE, Dougherty E, McArthur C, Huang QS, Baker MG.Cold, dry air is associated with influenza and pneumonia mortality in Auckland, New Zealand.Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Jul;10(4):310-3. doi:10.1111/irv.12369
Jany B, Welte T.Pleural effusion in adults-etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377
MedlinePlus.Collapsed lung.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.
Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08
Chou, Y.C.; Wang, S.M.; Liang, C.C.; Chang, C.T.; Liu, J.H.; Wang, I.K.; Hsiao, L.C.; Muo, C.H.; Huang, C.C.; Wang, R.Y.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings.Medicine: December 2014 - Volume 93 - Issue 27 - p e174 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174
Chen C you, Hsu S chang, Hsieh H ling, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.Cheungpasitporn W, ed. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216367. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367
MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.
Storms, A.D., Chen, J., Jackson, L.A. et al.Rates and risk factors associated with hospitalization for pneumonia with ICU admission among adults.BMC Pulm Med17, 208 (2017). doi:10.1186/s12890-017-0552-x
Torres A, Blasi F, Dartois N, et al.Which individuals are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease and why? Impact of COPD, asthma, smoking, diabetes, and/or chronic heart disease on community-acquired pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease.Thorax2015;70:984-989. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-206780
Berical AC, Harris D, Dela Cruz CS, Possick JD.Pneumococcal vaccination strategies. An update and perspective.Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2016;13(6):933-944. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-778FR
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumococcal vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pneumonia prevention and control.
Harvard Health.How to boost your immune system.
Davis RE, Dougherty E, McArthur C, Huang QS, Baker MG.Cold, dry air is associated with influenza and pneumonia mortality in Auckland, New Zealand.Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016 Jul;10(4):310-3. doi:10.1111/irv.12369
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