Is it possible to have pneumonia in one lung

Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, especially those in high-risk groups, may experience complications, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Pneumonia and your lungs Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pneumonia and your lungs Most pneumonia occurs when a breakdown in your body's natural defenses allows germs to invade and multiply within your lungs. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed April 15, Community-acquired pneumonia adult. Rochester, Minn. Goldman L, et al.

Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed April 18, Schauner S, et al. Journal of Family Practice. Attridge RT, et al. Health care-associated pneumonia: An evidence-based review. American Journal of Medicine. Hunter JD. Ventilator associated pneumonia. Dockrell DH, et al. Pneumococcal pneumonia: Mechanisms of infection and resolution. Blood tests. This test may be used to see whether infection is present and if infection has spread to the bloodstream blood cultures.

Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. Sputum culture. This test is done on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth. Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger.

When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot. Chest CT scan. This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce sharp, detailed horizontal, or axial, images often called slices of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs.

CT scans are more detailed than regular X-rays. This is direct exam of the bronchi the main airways of the lungs using a flexible tube called a bronchoscope. Pleural fluid culture. In this test, a sample of a fluid sample is taken from the pleural space.

This is the space between the lungs and chest wall. A long, thin needle is put through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space. Fluid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle. Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time, pneumonia is treated at home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital.

Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. They usually get better on their own. Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain medicine, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medicine if cough is severe. Check with your healthcare provider about getting immunizations. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia.

Because of that, getting a flu shot every year can help prevent both the flu and pneumonia. There is also a pneumococcal vaccine. It will protect you from a common form of bacterial pneumonia. Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes. You'll be admitted to hospital for treatment if you develop one of these complications. Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and are not passed on from one person to another, ensuring good standards of hygiene will help prevent germs spreading.

A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia. For example, you should stop smoking as it damages your lungs and increases the chance of infection. Excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse also weakens your lungs' natural defences against infections, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia. People at high risk of pneumonia should be offered the pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine. Page last reviewed: 30 June Next review due: 30 June Overview - Pneumonia Contents Overview Treatment. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.