Complications of pneumonia

Factors like the overall health or the type and extent of the pneumonia that a person encounters will conclude on how severe the pneumonia really is. Pneumonia can be easily treated in the cases of young and healthy persons but can become difficult and even life – threatening for older people, for people with lung ailments or heart failure.

• A possible complication of pneumonia is the lung abscess. In the area affected by the pneumonia the abscess (a cavity filled with pus) may appear. In some cases the abscess requires a surgical intervention for removal but usually it is treated with antibiotics.
• Bacteremia – bacteria in the bloodstream. There are cases of pneumonia when the infection from the lungs enters the bloodstream and thus can reach other organs. Those forms may become deadly.
• Infection around the lungs and fluid accumulation. In some particular cases, in the space between the pleura (silky, smooth transparent membrane that covers the lungs and allows them to slide easily along the chest wall when breathing) and the membrane that covers the inner area of the chest wall; liquid is accumulated producing the pleural effusion. This liquid can become infected when the pleura is inflamed (pleurisy) and cause empyema. The infected materials can be removed through a surgical intervention or a drain tube inserted between the ribs.

If the pneumonia affects both of the lungs (double pneumonia) or emphysema, then a mechanical breathing machine may be needed to help the patient breathe.