Pneumonia can have serious physical effects, particularly if the infection is viral. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and chest pain. Untreated pneumonia can lead to abscesses, pleural effusion, and life-threatening infections. Some side effects may be drug reactions.
Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs that can have widespread physical effects. The disease can be difficult to treat in some cases, particularly if the infection is viral in nature. Knowing the side effects of pneumonia can help identify the disease and enable sick people to take proper precautions and measures to maintain health until the disease clears.
Many of the side effects associated with pneumonia are related to the respiratory system. People with pneumonia may initially believe they have a bad but simple cold, due to a persistent cough and shortness of breath. If these symptoms begin to include fever or are accompanied by intermittent chest pain, it may be of paramount importance to see a doctor immediately.
Most people recover from pneumonia, but persistent and even permanent side effects can occur in some cases. The most serious side effects of pneumonia occur in situations where the infection goes untreated or is complicated by an underlying lung disease. If the infection gains momentum, it can quickly spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, the infection can spread to the air sacs, making breathing extremely difficult. The bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, causing secondary and sometimes life-threatening infections.
People with pneumonia may be in danger of developing abscesses on their lungs. These are pus-filled sacs that grow on damaged or destroyed tissue. The sacs can sometimes bleed, causing bleeding into the lungs. Healthcare providers may choose to treat abscesses with antibiotics and sometimes drain them if they don’t respond to drug therapy.
Though rare, one of the more dangerous side effects of pneumonia is a buildup of fluid between the two thin membranes that cover the lung. Called a pleural effusion, the fluid can start out as a thin sterile liquid but can also develop into pus, at which point it’s called an empyema. Advanced cases can leave permanent scars on the membranes even after the infection has been successfully treated.
Because many forms of pneumonia are treated with drug therapy, it’s also important to note that some side effects of this condition may actually be drug reactions. Depending on the type of drug used, patients may experience nausea, muscle aches and fatigue, or dizziness and loss of appetite. It is important for patients to ask about side effects associated with any prescribed medication and also to be aware of any symptoms that may indicate an allergic reaction to the drug.
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