Complications of pneumonia
Complications of pneumonia include:
- Buildup of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion
).
- Pockets of pus that form in the space between the lung and chest wall (empyema) or in the lung itself (lung abscess).
- Another bacterial lung infection after a viral infection (secondary infection).
- Another bacterial infection, such as a vaginal infection or infections of the digestive system, because of antibiotic therapy (secondary infection).
- Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia) or throughout the body (septicemia).
- Swelling of the covering of the spinal cord
- Infection of a joint caused by the spread of bacteria through the bloodstream (septic arthritis).
- Infection of the heart muscle or the sac surrounding the heart (endocarditis or pericarditis).
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: March 18, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology | |
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