Is a lung infection life-threatening?

Lung infection, also known as pneumonia, is an inflammation caused by a variety of causes. It can be said that the disease can be mild or severe. Severe cases can even pose a great threat to the patient's life safety, especially for some elderly people with poor physical fitness, who often die from lung infections. Therefore, if a lung infection occurs, it is necessary to receive good treatment in a timely manner, emphasize nutrition, and pay attention to care.

Is a lung infection life-threatening?

If the diagnosis of pneumonia is established, the severity of the disease, the spread of lung inflammation, and the degree of systemic inflammatory response are evaluated. In addition, patients with the following risk factors may increase the severity of pneumonia and the risk of death:

1. Medical history: age > 65 years old; presence of underlying diseases or related factors, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, chronic heart and renal insufficiency, chronic liver disease, hospitalization within one year, suspected aspiration, abnormal consciousness, post-splenectomy status, long-term alcoholism or malnutrition.

2. Respiratory rate>30 times/min; pulse ≥120 times/min; blood pressure <90/60mmHg; body temperature ≥40℃ or ≤35℃; impaired consciousness; presence of extrapulmonary infection lesions such as meningitis or even sepsis (infectious poisoning).

3. Laboratory and imaging abnormalities: blood white blood cell count>20X109/L; arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaCO2)>50mmHg when breathing air; blood creatinine>106umol/L or blood urea nitrogen>7.1mmol/L; hemoglobin<90g/L or hematocrit<0.30; plasma albumin25g/L; evidence of infection or disseminated intravascular coagulation, such as positive blood culture, metabolic acidosis, prolonged prothrombin time and partially activated thromboplastin time, thrombocytopenia; chest X-ray lesions involving more than one lobe, cavitation, rapid spread of lesions, or pleural effusion.

There is currently no universally accepted standard for severe pneumonia.

If patients with pneumonia require respiratory support (acute respiratory failure, deterioration of gas exchange with hypercapnia or persistent hypoxemia), circulatory support (hemodynamic impairment, peripheral hypoperfusion), and intensive monitoring and treatment (infection and toxicity caused by pneumonia or other organ dysfunction caused by underlying diseases), they can be considered to have severe pneumonia. Many countries have developed diagnostic criteria for severe pneumonia. Although they vary, they all focus on the extent of lung lesions, organ perfusion and oxygenation status.

For friends who are suffering from pneumonia, they must not smoke or drink, try to eat a light diet, do not eat irritating foods, and do not touch raw or cold foods. The disease is generally not hereditary, so patients can rest assured. Do not use medication blindly during treatment. Instead, treat the disease based on your physical condition and the doctor's advice.