Lung infection and inflammation: Causes, symptoms and treatment

Lung infection is a type of infection which may develop in the lower respiratory tracts due to various causes. Primary cause is viruses and bacteria accumulating and proliferating in the lung tissue. It mostly develops following an infectious disease such as flu. It causes dyspnea by leading to pulmonary inflammation and increase in mucous production. Main symptoms are high fever, phlegmy coughing, breathing noisily and chest pain. Mild infections can spontaneously heal with good care. In some cases, it may be necessary to administer antibiotics or antiviral medicines. Hospitalization may be required for further treatments in severe infections. Little children, the elderly, those with chronic diseases, and smokers with weak immune system are at higher risk.

What is lung (pulmonary) infection?

Lung infections can affect everybody. It should be taken seriously and medications should not be quitted in the treatment process without the approval of your doctor. It can be fatal if a treatment is delayed or interrupted. (1)

What is inflammation? Causes, symptoms and treatment

Causes of lung infection

It is usually caused by a bacteria or virus that accumulates in the lungs and proliferates. It is more common in winter following cold or flu. As respiratory droplets carry the infection, it can be transmitted to someone else through coughing or sneezing.

The microbes that hang in the air for a while may fall down to surfaces and anyone touching these surfaces may also touch other things and spread the microbes further. This infection can also be caused by fungi, though rare.

Types of lung infections

There are 3 types of pulmonary infections depending on where they develop:

Acute bronchitis

It can be caused by a virus or bacteria. However, viral bronchitis is more common. It is mostly caused by viruses leading to flu and cold. The bronchial tubes carrying air into the lungs get inflamed.

Bronchiolitis

It is a viral infection which develops in bronchiolitis, the smallest airways in the body. It develops more frequently in children and babies under two years old. It can heal spontaneously with good care. However, in cases such as dyspnea and feeding disorder, it may require hospitalization. (3)

What is dyspnea (shortness of breath)? Causes, symptoms and treatment

Pneumonia

It is mostly caused by bacterial infections. Sometimes, it can also develop due to viruses or fungi. As a result of the infection, alveoli are inflamed and filled with pus or fluid. As a result, it becomes difficult for oxygen to be transferred to other organs via the bloodstream.

Fungal pneumonia is rare. It often affects people who take antibiotics frequently or have weak immune system. (4)

What causes cough? Types, symptoms diagnosis and treatments

Symptoms of pulmonary infection

• Chronic cough
• Yellow or green-coloured dense sputum (sometimes with blood)
• Dyspnea or tachypnea
• Breathing noisily
• High fever
• Perspiration
• Headache
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Sharp chest pain while coughing or taking a deep breath
• Tachycardia
• Loss of appetite
• Myalgia and/or arthralgia intensely on the back

If you have difficulty in breathing, with high fever, or feel  worse consult your doctor or go to the emergency immediately.

Diagnosis of lung infection

Doctors ask patients about their symptoms, general state of health, and medical history. Doctor can diagnose by taking patients’ temperature and listening to their lungs using a stethoscope. Sometimes tests such as chest x-ray, breath tests, and sputum or blood samples may be needed to determine the level of the progression of infection.

Treatment of lung (pulmonary) infection

• Antibiotics: They can be administered only for bacterial and severe infections. It should be taken at the recommended doses until the end of dosage. Unconscious use may lead to antibiotic resistance, i.e. drug inefficacy in severe infections.
• Antivirals: May be required in severe viral infections developing in the lungs.
• Antifungals: They are used in fungal lung infections.

In addition, painkillers, antipyretics, antitussives and expectorants, and bronchodilators can be used to relieve symptoms while the body is fighting infection.

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• Ventilatory support
• Intravenous aggressive antibiotic treatment
• Serum liquid supplement due to sever dehydration

Recurring lung infection

Infection heals spontaneously in healthy people and those with strong immune system and does not mostly recur. However, some factor may lead to the recurrence of an infection. Main factors are as follows: (6)

• Antibiotics treatment which is discontinued
• Diseases such as chronic bronchitis, CORD, cystic fibrosis, asthma causing inflammation which damages the lung tissue and is not microbial.
• Undeveloped immune system (especially babies and children at the age of <5)
• Old age
• Cancer and chemotherapy
• Weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or transplantation
• Smoking habit and alcoholism

Herbal medicine for lung infection

• Tussilago farfara: It is good for acute bronchitis as it can remove inflammation in the bronchi. It softens sputum, facilitates its removal through coughing and loosens up the chest. You can drink 3 cups of brewed tea daily.
• Inula Helenium root: It is especially effective in bacterial pulmonary infections. It can relieve symptoms such as fever and phlegmy cough. You can boil it in a coffee pot for 5 minutes and drink 1 dessertspoon 3 times a day. It is also beneficial to drink 1 tablespoon of inula helenium molasses on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Garlic and onion: Both are highly effective natural antibiotics in the treatment of pulmonary infections. They have an anti-inflammatory effect. You can boil 1 clove of garlic or 1 shallot in a coffee pot and drink 1 cup every day. Honey and lemon can be added to the mixture.

What is the health benefit of garlic? Uses and side effects

• Natural honey: Drinking 1 dessertspoon of honey and half a lemon mixed in warm water will help loosen up the chest. You can also get an effective syrup mixing some spices, which have antibacterial effects, with honey. Herein, squeeze 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 dessertspoon of ginger, turmeric, black pepper and 1 lemon into a jar of water and shake well. If you drink 1 dessertspoon 3 times a day, it will allow you to breathe more easily by removing the sputum.

Prevention of lung infection

The most effective ways to prevent pulmonary infections are:

• Get a vaccine: Those who have higher risk especially to develop this infection can get flu and pneumonia vaccines on a regular basis.
• Quit smoking: Smoking damages the lungs and weakens the body against infections. Also stay away from excessive and long-term use of alcohol.
• Consider hygiene: Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing and wash your hand regularly. Throw used paper napkins away immediately.
• Eat healthily and properly: Follow a diet which will help strengthen your immune system. Balance vitamin, mineral, protein and carbonhydrate intake in your meals. Stay away from excessively oily,high-sugar and processed foods.

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Recommendations for lung infection

• Drink plenty of water (help soften sputum and cough easily).
• Drink warm liquids containing honey and lemon. It could be herbal teas, such as linden and echinacea.
• Eat foods with high water content such as red lentil soup with bone broth or chicken broth soup, which are high in vitamin and protein, and eat plenty of fruits containing vitamin C.
• If the infection causes sore throat, gargle with warm saline solution (do not let children try).
• Rest until you feel good.
• Use a few pillows to keep your head high (makes breathing easier).
• Ventilate your room to freshen the air.
• Keep the air in the room humid or breathe steam from a bowl of hot water. Vapor inhalation method should not be used in children due to the risk of scalding.
• If your symptoms last long and get worse, see your doctor immediately.