Question 1

are most lung infections fatal?

Accepted Answer

No: The great majority of lung infections (bronchitis and pneumonia) are not fatal.  Some require antitibiotics or antifungals.  Others will resolve with no treatment.  Severe lung infections, however, can sometimes result in death/mortality.

Question 2

are lung infections commonly contagious?

Accepted Answer

Yes: But they are not highly contagious.   The infections are transmitted by droplets containing bacteria.  However the host usually needs to have some type of increased susceptibility in order to get the infection.

Question 3

can alcohol contribute to lung infections?

Accepted Answer

Often does...: ...Mainly by causing people to aspirate (inhale their own vomit), and by suppressing immunity through malnutrition.

Question 4

can fungus infections cause lung infections?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The common skin fungus does not infect the lungs, but there are types of fungus such as nocardia, histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis, which can be found in immunosuppressed HIV or cancer patients.

Question 5

does susceptibility to lung infections run in the family?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Unless there is a hereditary immunocomprimised disease, then probably not.

Question 6

do people with bronchiectasis constantly get lung infections?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The chance of getting a lung infection depends on how severe/widespread the bronchiectasis is, what caused (or is continuing to cause) it, and the immune status of the patient.

Question 7

will most lung infections just run its course, or is medicine necessary?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Some lung infections can run a 5-7 day course and resolve on their own (these are usually viral); more severe infections may require a course of antibiotics.  Bronchitis is usually treated for 5-7 days and pneumonia is usually treated for 5-10 days.

Question 8

can all lung infections be easily treated?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Bacterial lung infections tend to be easier to treat than fungal lung infections.  All is a strong word and clearly some people die each year with lung disease/infection despite adequate drug therapy.

Question 9

why do smokers get a lot of lung infections?

Accepted Answer

Ans: Smoking any substance damages the defense mechanism of the lungs. See:  http://archives.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol12N1/Smoking.html and http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htm  Take care of your health.

Question 10

are smokers more susceptible to lung infections?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Smokers have dysfunction of the lining cells of the airways.  These cells are important for clearing infectious materials from the lungs.  If the lining cells do not work then patients who smoker are more susceptible to infection.  It can take months for these cells to recover function after your stop smoking.

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Are most lung infections fatal

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Are most lung infections fatal?

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Are lung infections commonly contagious?

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Can alcohol contribute to lung infections?

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Can fungus infections cause lung infections?

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Does susceptibility to lung infections run in the family?

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Do people with bronchiectasis constantly get lung infections?

A member asked:

Will most lung infections just run its course, or is medicine necessary?

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Can all lung infections be easily treated?

A member asked:

Why do smokers get a lot of lung infections?

A member asked:

Are smokers more susceptible to lung infections?

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