complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
These are uncommon but include:
- pleural effusion - usually sterile (1)
- empyema or abscess
- pneumatocoele formation
- pneumothorax
- pyopneumothorax - eg. following rupture of a staphylococcal lung abscess in the pleural cavity
- bacteraemia, resulting in metastatic infection eg pericarditis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, cerebral abscess, meningitis (particularly in pneumococcal pneumonia)
- postinfective bronchiectasisis
- renal failure
Reference:
- Harold SR et al (1994). Management of community acquired lower respiratory tract infection. BMJ, 308, 701-5.