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).
- Infection caused by swelling of the covering of the spinal cord (meningitis).
- 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).
Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology |
| Last Updated | April 2, 2007 |
Author:Ralph Poore
Last Updated: 04/02/2007
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