Do you have a chronic cough that brings up foul smelling phlegm? One unusual cause for this symptom is a lung abscess. An abscess of lung is a collection of pus that’s developed in your lung, together with swelling, inflammation and necrosis. Why? An infection involving some sort of pathogen gained entry by aspiration or bloodstream. Usually, a lung abscess is an aspiration pneumonia complication.
The typical cause of a lung abscess is the ever present bacteria in your mouth or throat you’ve inadvertantly inhaled into the lungs. Bacteria gaining entry this way is highly unlikely unless you’ve been recently unconscious, in a coma, heavily sedated, under anesthesia, suffer from a neurological health condition (MS) or under excessive influence of alcohol.
However, there could be other pathogens (pseudomonas, aspergillus, coccidioides, histoplasma, staphylococcus aureus) and entry possibilities (intravenous drug use) causing an abscess in the lung. Unfortunately, lung abscesses caused by MRSA can bring an end to your life if not expediently treated.
Abscess of lung symptoms mimic those of pneumonia, like:
- fever
- fatigue
- dyspnea
- sweating
- hemoptysis
- night sweats
- appetite loss
- productive cough
- unplanned weight loss
- pleurisy caused chest tightness
An abscess can rupture before seeking treatment, causing an excessive amount of sputum symptom being coughed up suddenly.
Lung abscess treatment necessitates the taking of an appropriate antibiotic, initially intravenously until symptoms start to improve. Oral antibiotic treatment is continued until a chest x-ray reveals your abscess has resolved, which for some takes months. In extreme cases, lung abscess treatment requires draining or surgical removal.
Treatment often brings a cure unless you have an immune system impairment, lung cancer or a huge abscess of lung.