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).
