Differential diagnosis of severe lung infection

Pneumonia (caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae)

Pneumonia causes inflammation in your lung’s air sacs, also referred to as alveoli. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.

The general symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop quickly and may include:chest painshaking chillsfeverdry coughmuscle achesnausea/vomitingrapid breathingrapid heartbeatdifficulty breathingSome symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. These symptoms include:skin with bluish tone (from lack of oxygen)blood in sputum (coughed-up mucus)labored breathinghigh fever (103 °F or higher)confusionrapid heartbeat

**Pneumonia can be easily overlooked as the cause of an illness because it often resembles a cold or the flu. However, it usually lasts longer and symptoms seem more severe than these other conditions.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)

Most people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In cases of chronic bronchitis, large amounts of mucous develop in the lungs, interfering with breathing.

Emphysema is usually the direct result of years of smoking cigarettes. It affects people who are middle-aged or elderly. Chronic bronchitis, which can occur earlier in life, also can be caused by smoking.

**Smokers are at the greatest risk of developing COPD.

The major symptoms of COPD:A persistent coughBreathlessnessFatigueWheezing and tightness in the chestProduction of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color

Pulmonary TuberculosisPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is bacteria that that attack your lungs. It is a potentially deadly disease.

The general symptoms for TB:coughing that continues for several dayscoughing out sputum and sometimes bloodfever, including low-grade, consistent feverexcessive sweatingchest painunexplained weight lossfatigue