Complications of pneumonia

Complications

Pneumonia may cause complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, such as diabetes.

Complications may include:

• Worsened chronic conditions. If you have certain preexisting health conditions, pneumonia could make them worse. These conditions include congestive heart failure and emphysema. For certain people, pneumonia increases their risk of having a heart attack.
• Bacteremia. Bacteria from the pneumonia infection may spread to your bloodstream. This can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, septic shock, and, in some cases, organ failure.
• Lung abscesses. These are cavities in the lungs that contain pus. Antibiotics can treat them. Sometimes they may require drainage or surgery to remove the pus.
• Impaired breathing. You may have trouble getting enough oxygen when you breathe. You may need to use a ventilator.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome.This is a severe form of respiratory failure. It’s a medical emergency.
• Pleural effusion. If your pneumonia isn’t treated, you may develop fluid around your lungs in your pleura, called pleural effusion. The pleura are thin membranes that line the outside of your lungs and the inside of your rib cage. The fluid may become infected and need to be drained.
• Kidney, heart, and liver damage. These organs may be damaged if they don’t receive enough oxygen, or if there’s an overreaction of the immune system to the infection. 
• Death. In some cases, pneumonia can be fatal.