Lung infection is a broad term. Acute bronchitis affects the larger airways, is nearly always viral, and clears by itself, though the cough can last 3 weeks. Pneumonia is infection of the air sacs themselves, which fill with fluid and pus; it is more serious and usually needs antibiotics.
Most healthy adults with pneumonia recover fully at home within a few weeks. It is more dangerous in babies, people over 65, smokers and those with heart or lung disease, diabetes or weak immunity. Tuberculosis and fungal infections are slower, distinct forms of lung infection that need specific tests and long treatment.
Symptoms
- Cough, often with yellow, green or rust-coloured phlegm
- Fever, sweats and shivering
- Breathlessness or fast breathing
- Sharp chest pain on breathing in or coughing
- Tiredness, aching and loss of appetite
- Confusion or sudden decline in an older person, sometimes without fever
- Cough over 3 weeks with night sweats, weight loss or blood in the phlegm, which raises the question of tuberculosis
Causes and risk factors
The commonest bacterial cause of pneumonia caught in the community is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Others include Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma, often in younger adults, and Legionella, linked to contaminated water systems and travel. Viruses such as influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 cause pneumonia directly or pave the way for bacteria. Aspiration pneumonia follows inhaling food or stomach contents, typically in people with swallowing problems or reduced consciousness. Hospital-acquired infections involve more resistant organisms. Smoking, heavy alcohol use, chronic lung disease, acid-suppressing medicines and immune suppression increase susceptibility.
How it is diagnosed
- Examination and observations: Temperature, breathing rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure and listening to the chest. Scores such as CRB-65 guide whether hospital care is needed.
- Chest X-ray: Confirms pneumonia by showing a shadow in the lung.
- Blood tests: CRP, white cell count, kidney function, and blood cultures in more severe illness.
- Sputum and swab tests: Culture, viral PCR, and urine antigen tests for pneumococcus and Legionella. Three sputum samples or a molecular test when tuberculosis is suspected.
- CT scan or bronchoscopy: For pneumonia that does not clear, recurs in the same place, or occurs in someone with weak immunity.
Treatment options
- Rest, fluids and fever control: Sufficient for viral bronchitis, where antibiotics do not help.
- Oral antibiotics: Amoxicillin, doxycycline or a macrolide for 5 to 7 days in mild to moderate pneumonia, chosen according to local resistance.
- Hospital treatment: Intravenous antibiotics, oxygen and fluids for severe pneumonia; intensive care if breathing or circulation fails.
- Antivirals: Oseltamivir for influenza and specific agents for COVID-19 in those at risk, started early.
- Drainage of pleural fluid: A chest drain if infected fluid or pus collects around the lung.
- Prevention: Pneumococcal, influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, and stopping smoking.
When it is urgent
Get emergency help where you are for severe breathlessness, breathing faster than 30 times a minute, blue lips, chest pain, coughing up blood, new confusion, a very low blood pressure or feeling faint, or if a baby, an elderly person or someone with weak immunity becomes unwell quickly. Pneumonia can worsen in hours.
Travelling to Türkiye for treatment
An acute lung infection must be treated straight away wherever you are, and you should not board a flight with fever and breathlessness. Travel has a place only afterwards: for example, a work-up of recurrent or slow-to-clear pneumonia with CT, bronchoscopy, immune tests and a specialist opinion over 3 to 5 days. A follow-up X-ray about 6 weeks after pneumonia is advised for smokers and people over 50, and can be done at home.
Send your reports, scans and a short history and a Clinic-Y coordinator replies within 24 hours with suitable teams and written, all-inclusive proposals side by side. Reviewing your case is free.
الأسئلة المتكررة
Do I always need antibiotics for a chest infection?
No. Most are viral bronchitis. Antibiotics are for pneumonia or for people at higher risk.
How long does recovery take?
Fever settles within a week. Cough and breathlessness often take 4 to 6 weeks, and tiredness can last 3 months or more.
Is pneumonia contagious?
The germs can spread through coughs, but most people exposed do not develop pneumonia. Hand washing and vaccination help.
When can I fly after pneumonia?
When you are free of fever, comfortable walking and your oxygen level is normal. Check with your doctor after a severe episode.