Lung Infection Symptoms: Warning Signs of Pulmonary Diseases

Lung Infection Symptoms: What to Watch For in Respiratory Health

A lung infection refers to inflammation and infection of one or both lungs. The most common form is pneumonia. The majority of lung infection symptoms are curable with appropriate and timely treatment.

Over 700,000 children under five die from pneumonia each year worldwide, equating to about 1 child every 43 seconds. Lung infections remain a leading cause of illness and death worldwide, especially amongst the youngest and most vulnerable. Knowing about the early signs can save lives. Read to know about the lung infection symptoms and signs.

Understanding Lung Infections

A lung infection refers to an inflammation of the lungs due to microorganisms like fungi, parasites and bacteria. The infections affect different parts of the respiratory system, including lung tissue (alveoli) and airways (bronchial tubes). It makes breathing difficult for an individual.

This condition is prevalent in people of every age but is more common in people with chronic health conditions, weak immune systems, and active smokers.

Symptoms of Lung Infections

The symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition and an individual’s overall health. Here are a few early lung infection symptoms that you need to know about:

• Respiratory Symptoms: These can occur in the form of a persistent, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and consistent chest pain or discomfort for a prolonged period.
• Systemic Symptoms: These lung infection symptoms manifest in the form of fever, chills, general weakness, muscle aches, loss of appetite and body aches.
• Mucus-Related Symptoms: Mucus-related symptoms include coughing up yellow, green or blood-streaked mucus. Excessive production of mucus leads to throat irritation.
• Additional Symptoms: Nasal congestion, sore throat, dizziness, headache, and bluish fingernails and lips are other symptoms that show up in rare occurrences and are indicative of a lung infection.

Causes of Lung Infections

There are a lot of possible causes of lung infection. For instance, fungi, parasites, bacteria and other environmental factors can hurt the lungs. Here is a brief overview of each of them:

• Bacteria: Bacteria alone account for up to 27% of lung infection cases. The most common bacterial form that causes a lung infection is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other types of bacteria can cause a lung infection, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae.
• Viruses: Viruses are another common reason for lung infection and account for up to 30% of cases. The most common viruses which cause lung infection are the influenza virus, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and adenovirus.
• Fungi: Even though this is a much less common reason, there are still lung infections that occur due to the presence of fungi in the lungs. The most common type of fungus that leads to lung infection is Aspergillus fumigatus. Other types of fungi can cause lung infections, such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.
• Other Causes: Parasitic lung infections are uncommon but can occur in countries where infections are more prevalent. Additionally, dust and chemicals lead to severe infections in the lungs as they irritate and damage the lungs, causing significant infection and inflammation.

Common Types of Lung Infections

Many infections can occur in the lungs. They are classified according to the part of the respiratory system that is affected and the severity of the lung infection. Here is a list of the most common types of lung infections that affect people:

• Bronchitis: It refers to an inflammation of the bronchial tubes and the airways that carry air to the lungs. There are two primary types of it, namely, acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is generally caused by viral infections, while a chronic type of bronchitis happens due to long-term exposure to irritants like smoke or tobacco.
• Pneumonia: It is yet another severe infection that inflames the air sacs in the lungs. It can occur due to the presence of viruses, parasites and bacteria in the region. A few common symptoms of it are chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.
• Emphysema: It is a condition in which the alveoli, or air sacs, in the lungs become damaged. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease, not a lung infection. It should not be listed among infectious conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis.
• Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection and happens due to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It generally affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. A few common symptoms of this condition are shortness of breath, chest pain and significant weight loss.
• Bronchiectasis: It is a condition in which the airways of the lungs get permanently widened. Bronchiectasis leads to an accumulation of fluid (mucus) inside the lungs. Symptoms of this condition include wheezing, bloodstained phlegm, fatigue and shortness of breath.
• Asthma: It refers to a condition in which the lungs get narrowed. The region also gets inflamed. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease and should not be grouped with infectious lung conditions. The primary symptoms of it are breathlessness, wheezing and coughing.
• COVID-19-Induced Pneumonia: COVID-19 can cause viral pneumonia, which may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and long-term pulmonary complications in severe cases. 
• Fungal infections: Infections like histoplasmosis and aspergillosis are less common but occur in individuals who have weak immune systems. It can also occur for people who live in environments with peak pollution.
• Influenza (Flu): The flu virus causes infections, especially in people with weak immune systems. The people more vulnerable to influenza are older adults and young children.

Warning Signs of Lung Infections

Several warning signs indicate a lung infection. Understanding them beforehand is important to get prompt treatment. Here are a few common symptoms of lung infections:

• Persistent Cough That Would Not Go Away: A chronic cough is one of the most common lung infection symptoms in adults. A cough that persists for more than eight weeks is considered a chronic cough. It is one of the early symptoms that indicates something is wrong with the respiratory system.
• Unexplained Shortness of Breath: Having shortness of breath that does not go away after little exercising or without doing any strenuous activity at all means that there is a presence of a lung infection. Not being able to breathe out properly is also one of the most common lung infection symptoms.
• Increased Mucus or Phlegm Production: The mucus is also known as 'phlegm' or 'sputum'. The airways produce it as a defence against any irritants or infections. If the production of mucus persists for more than a month, then that is also a clear sign of lung infection.
• Sudden Wheezing or Noisy Breathing: Wheezing is a form of whistling or noisy breathing sound. It is very unusual and blocks the airways of the lungs and makes them too narrow.
• Coughing Up Blood: Coughing up blood indicates a lung infection. It can happen due to a vast range of conditions, ranging from minor issues like bronchitis to more severe conditions like lung cancer.
• Ongoing Chest Pain During Breathing or Coughing: Having chronic chest pain that becomes more intense while breathing and coughing is also indicative of a lung infection.

Final Words

One can avoid lung infection symptoms by prioritising healthy lifestyle habits such as protecting oneself from environmental pollutants, infections and stress. A prompt check-up is ideal in case of any extreme breathing difficulties.