To complicate things, it can be tricky to distinguish between a lung infection and a COPD flare-up. The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be.

Causes

Lung infections happen when pathogens collect in a person’s air sacs and begin to grow. The air sacs may become filled with pus and fluid, which can make breathing more difficult, cause chest pain, and lead to a cough that is different from the usual chronic cough one associates with their disease.

The primary types of lung infection include pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis. These conditions are typically caused by bacteria and viruses. It’s much rarer for a lung infection to be caused by fungi, but it can happen. Fungal infections are generally more common in people who have weakened immune systems.

Frequent Symptoms

The following signs and symptoms of lung infection should alert you to contact your healthcare provider right away, especially if you have COPD.

Fever

Normal body temperature varies from person to person, but in general, it’s around 98.6 degrees F. Having a fever—meaning a temperature at or higher than 100.4 degrees F—is one sign that you may have a lung infection and your body is working to fight it off. With a fever, you may also experience chills or shaking. 

Increased Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is one of the hallmark symptoms of COPD. However, if it begins to worsen, this could be a sign that you are developing a lung infection and need to contact your healthcare provider. 

In addition to a feeling of breathlessness, rapid breathing (tachypnea) and a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) may also be signs of a lung infection. 

Productive Cough

While a chronic cough is another common symptom of COPD, a cough that gets worse and becomes more productive, for example, more excess mucus, may be a sign that a lung infection is brewing and medical attention is needed.

Changes in Mucus

Many people with COPD complain about an increased amount of mucus (sputum or phlegm). However, when a lung infection is present, mucus production not only increases in amount, but it generally gets thicker, stickier, and changes color. It can also have a foul odor to it.

Rare Symptoms

Rarer signs and symptoms may depend on the specific type of lung infection you have. Make sure to seek immediate help if you feel like your breathing ability is getting worse.

Pleuritic Chest Pain

Chest pain associated with infection of the lungs is often described as a sharp, aching pain on one side that gets worse when breathing deeply (pleuritic chest pain). It may also feel like pressure or tightness inside the chest wall.

However, pleuritic chest pain can also indicate that problems other than infection are going on in the lung or even the heart.

Cyanosis

Your skin, lips, and nails may take on a slightly bluish color, a symptom called cyanosis. This is rare yet significant, as it means that you’re not getting enough oxygen in your bloodstream and should seek medical help immediately.

Complications

People with COPD are at higher risk of lung infection due to a reduced ability to clear bacteria, dust, and other pollutants. Having COPD simultaneously with a lung infection can exacerbate your COPD symptoms and make breathing more difficult, and lead to other serious complications that can potentially damage the lungs and be life-threatening if left untreated.

Such complications include:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Lung infections can get worse if left untreated, especially when you have COPD. If you’ve noticed a change in mucus, cough or wheezing that seems worse than usual, call your healthcare provider. If you have a fever and COPD, seek medical help quickly.

Antibiotics may be required if you have a bacterial infection, but if you have a viral infection, you might need to wait it out and let your body fend off the virus on its own. However, you may need additional medical support to help your airways remain clear and open while you work to fight the infection. Seek help from your healthcare provider in either case.

A Word From Verywell

It can be hard to tell whether you are experiencing a COPD flare-up or a lung infection, and both can co-occur, as the change from your baseline symptoms can be subtle. Because of this, it’s best to call your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms—especially a fever—or if you simply feel like something is different or a little off. Sometimes your gut instinct is the best sign that something is wrong.

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