5 Powerful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Lung Infection

The lungs are a very vital organ in the human body. This is because it is responsible for gas exchange. When the lungs are infected, they do not function as they should, and this can affect a person’s breathing and life. It can happen to anyone at any age, but older people and children under the age of two are at the highest risk of developing a lung infection. This is due to their weak or underdeveloped immune system. These infections are caused by various microorganisms.

Lung infection can be a major challenge, as one of the infections (pneumonia) is responsible for 15% of all deaths in children under the age of 5. It can affect one or both lungs. It is necessary to know the nature of the lung infection to know the right remedy for it.

In this post, we will learn about the meaning of lung infections, the different types of infections, the causes, symptoms, preventions, and some home remedies to get rid of lung infections.

What Is Lung Infection?

A lung is considered to be infected when it is contaminated by microorganisms. This leads to inflammation and difficulty breathing. The infection can affect the airways, alveoli, bronchioles, etc.

Causes Of Lung Infection

Lung infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Some of the viruses that cause lung infection include:

Influenza virus

The influenza virus is also known as the flu. It is an infection that affects the respiratory system. It enters the body through transmission or inhalation and gets to the lungs via the mouth, eyes, or nose. The symptoms of flu are similar to those of a cold but differ in that they come on suddenly, while a common cold comes on slowly. The influenza virus damages the epithelial cells of the lungs and multiplies by making its viral protein. This causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs. This in turn leads to breathing difficulties. There are different types of influenza viruses. They are influenza A, influenza B, influenza C, and influenza D.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

The respiratory syncytial virus is a common virus that commonly infects children and the elderly. It is associated with a high rate of hospitalizations in infants when it becomes severe. Most children would have had it before the age of two. They affect the respiratory system and mainly infect the bronchioles of the lungs, causing bronchiolitis in children; Common cold in adults, and pneumonia in the elderly. They are highly contagious and spread through droplets that can be produced by sneezing, coughing, touching infected surfaces, etc. People with previously diagnosed lung diseases can also be susceptible to this virus.

Some of the bacteria that cause lung infections:

Mycoplasma pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. It is called atypical or walking pneumonia. This is because the symptoms that the bacteria present are mild. You can go about your normal activities when infected with this bacterium. It spreads in a crowded environment when you breathe in air that was contaminated by a  person or droplets from sneezing, coughing, etc. It is responsible for most cases of community-acquired pneumonia.

Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the skin and soft tissues, causing symptoms such as reddening of the skin, blisters, boils, and so on. In severe cases, they can get into the lungs and cause a lung infection. The bacterium spreads through – contact with the skin of an infected person; contact with the blood of an infected person; bodily fluids of an infected person; inhalation of contaminated droplets, etc.

They enter and infect the lungs through infected blood flowing to the lungs in the body. When they get into the lungs, they cause symptoms like shortness of breath, malaria, chills, etc.

Some fungi that cause lung infection include:

Pneumocystis Jiroveci

Pneumocystis jiroveci is a fungal infection that affects the lungs. This fills the lungs with fluid, causing them to swell. The fungus causes a type of pneumonia known as pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Pneumocystis pneumonia is very rare but can occur in people with compromised immune systems, particularly those with HIV and AIDS. It is airborne and shows symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, etc.

Aspergillus

Aspergillus is a fungal infection that is widespread in the environment. It is not usually harmful to people with a healthy immune system. However, it can infect the lungs of people with weak immune systems. Aspergillus is a causative agent of aspergillosis, which is further divided into:

1. Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

It is responsible for hypersensitivity of the lungs that causes an allergic reaction after inhaling the fungus Aspergillus. This leads to inflammation of the airways and air sacs in the lungs. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, etc.

2. Invasive Aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis is a serious fungal infection. It occurs when the Aspergillus fungus leaves the lungs and spreads to other areas of the body like the brain, kidney, heart, etc. It is very rare in people with strong immune systems but can be found in people with weakened immune systems. Examples are people with HIV/AIDS, people with cancer, etc.

3. Aspergilloma

Aspergilloma is a fungal infection that causes a growth of the cavity of the lungs (a mass known as myecetoma). The pulmonary cavity, an abnormal space in the lungs that is filled with air, is usually formed due to lung diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, lung cancer, etc. If a person has been diagnosed with these lung diseases, and inhale the fungus Aspergillus, they have a high chance of contracting aspergilloma.

Types Of Lung Infections

Types Of Lung Infections

There are different types of lung infections, the most common being pneumonia.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that occurs when the air sacs in the lungs, which should be filled with air, are replaced with pus. This limits oxygen uptake. Pneumonia is usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Some of them include Streptococcus pneumonia, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, etc

Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease characterized by narrowing and inflammation of the airways (particularly the bronchi) associated with excess mucus clogging the airways. This limits the air supply. Asthma usually occurs due to infection with a virus known as a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the bronchi. It is commonly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is more common in children and infants. Bronchiolitis usually begins with the symptoms of a common cold but then becomes more intense.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body like the kidneys, brain, spine, etc. It is mainly caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis is an airborne infection of the lungs that occurs from inhaling dust particles. This traps germs in the lungs and causes inflammation, leading to scarring of the lung tissue. Some of the particles that can be inhaled include dust, asbestos, beryllium, carbon, etc. It is known as an occupational lung infection

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection of the small airways known as the bronchioles

Flu

Influenza is also known as “flu”. It is a viral infection that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract. Some of them include the nose, larynx, trachea, lungs, etc. Influenza is known to be highly contagious.

Symptoms Of Lung Infection

The following are the symptoms of lung infections

• Fever
• Sneeze
• Sore throat
• chills
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• nausea
• Vomit
• dehydration
• tightness in the chest
• fatigue
• weight loss
• shortness of breath

Prevention Of Lung Infections

Below are the ways that lung infection can be prevented

Wash Your Hands

A lung infection can be spread from one person to another through contact. Contact can take the form of shaking hands with an infected person, touching doorknobs that an infected person has touched, laying hands on infected surfaces, etc. It is therefore very important that you wash your hands regularly. You must make a conscious effort to wash your hands with soap and water.

Get Vaccines At The Right Time

Most of these infections affect infants because of their weak immune systems. It is necessary for mothers to take their babies to the hospital for vaccinations when needed. This is necessary to build up their immune systems. It is also necessary for everyone to be vaccinated when the need arises (e.g during viral outbreaks) to boost immune systems to be able to fight off any form of infection. This also prevents the further spread of the infection.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking causes is one of the main risk factors for lung disease. Smoking leads to infection by influencing cells that produce mucus to produce excess mucus, which clogs the airways. This excess mucus becomes infected. Infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, etc. can be transmitted through smoking. You should therefore avoid smoking.

Avoid Crowded Places

In crowded places, infections can be easily transmitted. Breathing the same air as an infected person, contact with an infected person, droplets from an infected person’s sneeze, and so on can all come from a crowded place. It is therefore important to avoid crowded places. If you have no choice, you must wear a face mask and cover yourself. You should also use your hand sanitizers in such places.

Eat Well

Eating well is important for building a strong immune system. Eating a balanced diet can help get rid of infections, prevent infections from entering the body, and help the body function optimally.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Lung Infections

5 Powerful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Lung Infection

Below are some home remedies to get rid of pneumonia:

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is useful for fighting lung infections. It has anti-inflammatory property that helps get rid of inflammation resulting from a lung infection. It also has antibacterial and antiviral effects that help fight viral and bacterial infections. It contains menthol which helps clear clogged sinuses. Helps clear your throat and also helps get rid of the common cold.

Boil two cups of water for a few minutes, add 3-5 leaves of peppermint, and soak the peppermint leaves in the already boiled water. Strain the water into a cup and drink!

Ginger

Ginger has many health benefits and is used to treat a variety of ailments. This is due to its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. One of its health benefits is seen in the case of asthma. Ginger helps to expand the constricted airways and bronchi that occur in asthma thereby providing relief for those suffering from asthma. Ginger also helps clear the airways by removing phlegm. Eating ginger or drinking ginger tea is also helpful to get rid of shortness of breath.

Ginger can be taken in different forms: with lemon, with honey, in the form of powder for food

Lemon And Honey

Lemon combined with honey is good for the lungs. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, and this helps boost the immune system. Honey has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help clear mucus that clogs the lungs. It also contains antioxidants that help detoxify harmful substances in the body. Lemon combined with honey helps treat respiratory infections and helps relieve symptoms like cough, sore throat, congestion, etc.

Mix a tablespoon of lemon and a tablespoon of honey in a glass of hot water. Allow to cool slightly (so as not to burn your tongue), then drink.

Steam Inhalation

Vapor inhalation helps clear lung infections by loosening mucus that has blocked the lungs and airways. It also helps relieve symptoms of lung infections. Steam inhalation may not kill the virus or the bacteria causing the infection, but it can help make the body and lungs more conducive to fighting the virus.

Plantain Tea

Plantain leaves are also used to get rid of lung infections. It is especially used to get rid of bronchitis and cough. It contains mucilage that helps coat and moisturizes the airways and prevents irritation from coughing. It is particularly known to have a calming and soothing effect on the lungs.

Boil the water and add the plantain leaf for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and soak the plantain leaf well in the hot water. Strain the water and drink!

Final Thoughts

The above measures are intended to eliminate or reduce the symptoms experienced. However, when the home remedies for clearing lung infections do not alleviate the symptoms felt, it is imperative to see your doctor for proper treatment.