Lung Abscess

A lung abscess is a serious infection that causes a pocket of pus to form in the lungs. It affects the respiratory system and can cause symptoms like fever, cough with foul-smelling sputum, and chest pain. This condition happens when bacteria or other germs infect lung tissue, leading to tissue destruction and pus accumulation. The abscess can make it hard to breathe and may cause general feelings of illness and fatigue. If untreated, it can lead to complications such as spread of infection or lung damage.

Lung abscess is a localized collection of pus within the lung parenchyma caused by microbial infection, typically due to aspiration of oropharyngeal anaerobic bacteria such as Prevotella, Fusobacterium, and Peptostreptococcus. It results in necrosis of lung tissue and cavity formation with an air-fluid level. The condition is often associated with risk factors like impaired consciousness, poor dental hygiene, or underlying lung disease. Clinically, it presents with productive cough, fever, and pleuritic chest pain. Diagnosis is important due to the risk of complications including sepsis and bronchopleural fistula. Treatment usually involves prolonged antibiotic therapy targeting anaerobes and sometimes drainage.