People with COPD have a higher risk of developing pneumonia due to changes in their lung microbiome. Early detection and treatment could help reduce the risk of complications.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that cause blocked airways and make breathing difficult.
People with COPD are more likely to develop pneumonia, a bacterial infection in the lungs that may cause symptoms like inflammation, difficulty breathing, and weakness.
Research estimates that people with COPD may be 18 times more likely to develop pneumonia outside of a hospital setting than people without the condition.
Pneumonia is particularly dangerous for people with COPD because it causes an increased risk of respiratory failure. This is when your body is either not getting enough oxygen or isn’t successfully removing carbon dioxide.
If you’re living with COPD, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate the symptoms of a COPD exacerbation from pneumonia. This may cause you to wait to seek treatment, which can lead to life threatening complications.
Keep reading to learn more about the association between COPD and pneumonia and how to prevent it.
According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), COPD exacerbations can cause similar symptoms to those of pneumonia. These are periods when symptoms flare up.
This may happen because COPD and pneumonia are similar.
In pneumonia, a lung infection causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli, the air sacs in your lungs. In COPD, emphysema also
Common symptoms of COPD and pneumonia may include:
- shortness of breath
- chest tightening
- wheezing
- cough, which may be wet and produce mucus
However, people with COPD should pay attention to symptoms that are more characteristic of pneumonia, including:
- high fever
- fatigue
- chills
- shaking
- sharp, stabbing chest pain when you inhale
- headache
- body aches
- blue, discolored lips
When to get immediate medical attentionIf you have COPD and pneumonia, you may experience a lack of oxygen, which could be life threatening. Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty speaking
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- restlessness
- confusion
- slurring of speech
- irritability
- unexplained weakness or fatigue that lasts more than 1 day
- changes in sputum, including color, thickness, or amount
Research suggests that people with COPD are at an increased risk of developing pneumonia due to an altered lung microbiome, which refers to the composition of healthy bacteria in your upper and lower respiratory tracts.
These healthy bacteria play a key role in managing inflammation and protecting your immune system from foreign invaders, such as infections.
Inhaled corticosteroids, a COPD treatment, can also increase your risk of developing pneumonia if you have COPD. Although they’re effective at reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms, they can alter the lung microbiome.
Other risk factors associated with pneumonia if you have COPD include:
- being age 55 years and older
- smoking cigarettes
- having previously experienced pneumonia or COPD exacerbations
- having received ventilator treatment
- having obesity
- having a low blood eosinophil count
- having antibiotic resistance
- having a gastrointestinal tract condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
You’ll most likely require hospital treatment if you have COPD and develop pneumonia.
A doctor will perform a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms and medical history. This will include listening to your lungs with a stethoscope.
They may also order tests to check for inflammation and infections and to rule out other health conditions. These tests may include:
Treatment for pneumonia will depend on the type of infection you have and the severity of your symptoms.
Your treatment plan may include:
- antibiotics for a bacterial infection
- antivirals for a viral infection
- glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation in your lungs and help you breathe
- breathing treatments, such as nebulizers, inhalers, or oxygen supplementation
The American Lung Association also notes the importance of getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and avoiding lung irritants like smoke.
Having both pneumonia and COPD can result in serious complications, causing long-term damage to your lungs and other major organs.
Inflammation from pneumonia can limit your airflow, which can further damage your lungs. This can progress into acute respiratory failure, a condition that can be fatal.
Pneumonia and COPD may also cause oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), which can lead to complications like:
Early treatment can help decrease the risk of complications from pneumonia in COPD. As such, it’s important to see a doctor if you experience any symptoms.
The GOLD recommends that people with COPD take steps to prevent pneumonia whenever possible. This includes getting vaccinations for pneumonia, including PCV20 or PC15 and PPSV23.
Other vaccines that are recommended for people with COPD include those for:
These vaccinations could help prevent pneumonia, hospitalizations, stroke, and even death.
Another key preventive measure is taking your COPD medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. These can help lower the number of exacerbations, slow the progression of lung damage, and improve your quality of life.
The
- wash your hands regularly
- cleaning shared surface areas you touch regularly
- covering your coughs and sneezes
- staying away from people who have pneumonia
- avoiding smoking or secondhand smoke
If you have COPD, it’s important to work with a doctor to help prevent pneumonia and manage your condition.
If you have COPD, you’re at a higher risk for developing pneumonia than those without COPD.
Some research also suggests that pneumonia in COPD is associated with a higher risk of death than pneumonia in people without COPD.
That said, early detection can greatly reduce your risk of life threatening complications from pneumonia. The sooner you get treatment and get symptoms under control, the less likely you’ll damage your lungs.
COPD is a group of conditions that affects your lungs, which could make it more difficult to breathe.
Some COPD treatments and other lifestyle factors may increase your risk of developing pneumonia, which is a lung infection.
If you experience symptoms of pneumonia, it’s important to get immediate medical attention. Early treatment could help prevent complications, some of which may be life threatening.