Information From Your Health Care Provider

LUNG ABSCESS

Basic information

description

A lung abscess is an infected area of lung tissue surrounded by lung inflammation. The infected lung tissue dies and is replaced with pus. The infection is not contagious from person to person. Lung abscesses occur more often in older adults and in men more than women.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Cough with sputum. The sputum is pus-like, often blood-streaked, and sometimes smells bad.
Bad breath.
Sweating.
Fever up to 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
Chills.
Weight loss.
Chest pain (sometimes).

causes

Lung abscesses are generally caused by a bacterial infection (less often by parasite or fungal infection). They are usually a result of aspiration (person inhales infected material from the upper-breathing passages). The patient may be unconscious from a head injury or heavily sedated.

risk increases with

Alcoholism or substance abuse.
Pneumonia.
Recent general anesthesia or injury causing unconsciousness.
Poor oral hygiene (e.g., dental or gum disease).
Seizure disorder; cystic fibrosis.
Esophageal disorder.
Lung cancer.
Diabetes.
There are other, more rare risk factors.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. Be sure to seek prompt medical treatment for lung infections, especially pneumonia.

expected outcomes

Usually curable with antibiotic treatment (may last for 4 to 6 weeks or for several months).

possible complications

Abscess may not respond well to antibiotic treatment.
Rupture of the abscess, causing empyema or massive bleeding in the lung.
Spread of infection to other body parts, especially the brain.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam. Medical tests may include blood tests, a culture of pus from the abscess, and x-rays of the lung. A bronchoscopy may be done. This test uses an optical instrument with a lighted tip that is passed into the windpipe, and then into the bronchi.
Hospital care is usually required.
Treatment is with antibiotic drugs. Surgery may be needed if antibiotics are not helping the abscess heal.
Other care in the hospital may involve breathing support with oxygen and procedures to help loosen secretions. Physical therapy can help strengthen the breathing muscles.
Surgery (sometimes) to remove pus from the abscess or to remove the abscess and part of the lung, if the abscess does not heal.

medications

Antibiotics for prolonged periods to fight infection and prevent a recurrence. They are given through a vein (IV) at first, and then given by mouth.

activity

Reduce activity until tests show a healed abscess.

diet

No special diet. Increase your fluid intake. By drinking extra liquids, the body is forced to eliminate part of the fluid through the lungs. This makes thick lung secretions thinner, so they can be coughed up more easily.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of a lung abscess.
Symptoms of a lung infection recur after treatment, especially a sputum-producing cough, fever, or general ill feeling.