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What An MD Wants You To Know About White Lung Pneumonia This Sick Season

As cold and flu season rolls around, respiratory illnesses are often top of mind for many of us. Recently, terms like "white lung syndrome" and "white lung pneumonia" have made headlines, raising concerns for those at an increased risk of respiratory viruses. But what is white lung pneumonia and how worried should you be about a pneumonia outbreak this sick season? To find out, we connected with a board-certified pulmonologist.

What is white lung pneumonia?

While the term white lung pneumonia may sound scary, it's technically not a medical condition. Rather, it's "a term doctors use when pneumonia shows up as white areas on a chest X-ray because of fluid and swelling in the lungs," explains Raj Dasgupta, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist and Chief Medical Advisor for Fortune Recommends Health. 

Dr. Dasgupta says white lung pneumonia is no different than other types of pneumonia and presents the same symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Common causes of white lung pneumonia or white lung syndrome

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that irritates and inflames the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs). It "can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi," says Dr. Dasgupta. "Bacterial pneumonia is common in adults, while viruses like the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often cause it in kids and older adults. Sometimes, people with weak immune systems get pneumonia from fungi." 

That weakened immunity Dr. Dasgupta refers to is one of the most common causes of white lung syndrome in adults 50 and older. However, other medical conditions can also increase your risk for the condition. 

For instance, respiratory illnesses like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make the lungs more susceptible to infection. So, too, can smoking. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that smokers were two to four times more likely to develop pneumonia.

How white lung pneumonia is diagnosed

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If you develop symptoms of white lung pneumonia such as difficulty breathing, chest pain when breathing, a severe cough that produces phlegm or a persistent fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, visit your doctor or an urgent care facility.  

White lung pneumonia diagnosis is quick and straightforward. Dr. Dasgupta says your provider will ask about your symptoms, listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and take chest X-rays to check for signs of infection. 

"They might also order lab tests like a mucosal swab or blood work," to figure out if it's a bacterial infection, viral or fungal. 

How to treat white lung pneumonia

"Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause," Dr. Dasgupta explains. "If it's bacterial, your doctor prescribes antibiotics. For viral pneumonia, sometimes antiviral drugs are given. If breathing is really difficult, your doctor might prescribe steroids to reduce swelling in your lungs." 

At-home measures can also help manage symptoms. A few to try:

Run a humidifier

Dr. Dasgupta says running a humidifier can make breathing easier, especially if you have lots of phlegm. Since humidifiers increase moisture in the air, they reduce congestion and help loosen up mucus so you expel more of it when you cough and blow your nose. 

Drink plenty of fluids

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Staying properly hydrated with water, decaffeinated tea and juice has similarly beneficial effects. Drinking fluids loosens up phlegm and prevents dehydration. It can also bolster your immune system. 

A meta-analysis in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN found that proper hydration supported immune function in adults with pneumonia. It also reduced the risk of severe outcomes.

Ask your doctor about OTC meds

If you have pneumonia, taking an over-the-counter cough medicine might seem like a no-brainer. But it's important to get your doctor's approval first. According to the American Lung Association, coughing is your body's way of expelling the infection. Suppressing a cough too much can interfere with that process and increase illness duration. Your healthcare provider can recommend an OTC drug that meets your needs. 

The bottom line on white lung pneumonia

"White lung pneumonia got a lot of attention last year because there was an increase in cases. Many of these cases were tied to viruses like RSV, which can make breathing problems worse," Dr. Dasgupta notes. "Because it affected so many people, it became a big topic in the news." 

Although headlines can be alarming, you don't need to panic about white lung pneumonia. Everyday precautions like washing your hands, wearing an N-95 mask in crowded places and getting good sleep can reduce your risk of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.

For more respiratory heslth content

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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Can't Shake That Cough? Walking Pneumonia Is On The Rise

Oct. 30, 2024 – Young children are increasingly being infected with bacteria that can lead to the illness known as walking pneumonia. A hallmark symptom is a cough that starts out dry but eventually produces moderate amounts of thick, non-bloody mucus. The cough can last for weeks.

It's an unexpected trend, since the bacteria  -- called Mycoplasma pneumoniae -- was so uncommon during the height of the COVID pandemic that one medical journal ran an article suggesting that it may be gone forever. And the increase in illnesses among young children is also unusual, since documented cases usually occur among school-age kids or adolescents.

M. Pneumoniae typically causes respiratory tract infections and can cause damage to the throat, windpipe, and lungs. Most illnesses are mild, starting with a fever, sore throat, and cough and evolving into what may be viewed as a chest cold. The symptom onset is very gradual. 

M. Pneumoniae often leads to what is known is walking pneumonia – a name given because it is typically less severe than other forms of bacterial pneumonia. 

"People with pneumonia caused by M. Pneumoniae can seem better than expected for someone with a lung infection," a recent CDC alert stated. "With mild symptoms, people may not stay home or in bed."

The CDC issued the alert about the bacteria after noticing an increase in emergency room data listing mycoplasma pneumonia as a diagnosis. The increase was first detected in the spring, and cases appear to have peaked in August but remain elevated. The most surprising increase was seen among 2- to 4-year-olds, but a sizable jump was also recorded among 5- to 17-year-olds. 

The bacteria spread through respiratory droplets, such as from a cough or sneeze. The long incubation period (one to four weeks) makes the bacteria prone to causing outbreaks, such as in residence halls, schools, and nursing homes. Coughing symptoms often last a long time, as well, which means outbreaks can persist.

A swab of the nose or throat can test for the bacteria, but this test is not as commonly offered by labs as the tests for flu, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A chest X-ray is sometimes used to check for pneumonia.

Infections from the bacteria can be treated with a class of antibiotics called macrolides, which includes the drug azithromycin. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is resistant to other types of antibiotics, so making an accurate diagnosis is important although challenging since the symptoms can be so similar to other respiratory illnesses. About 10% of people go on to develop a true case of pneumonia.

Pneumonia Cough: How It Might Sound Different From Other Coughs

Coughing can be a symptom of various conditions, including pneumonia. You may wonder what a pneumonia cough sounds like, but know that it's typically deeper than a regular cough and is a productive, or wet, cough.

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, including cough, fever, and chest discomfort.

Pneumonia coughs tend to sound "deeper" than regular coughs, Raymond Casciari, MD, a pulmonologist at St. Joseph Hospital, told Health. One study on artificial intelligence and pneumonia cough sounds found that you may also hear these types of cough at a higher volume. The researchers found that the coughing became louder in the final phase of pneumonia cough. You and a healthcare provider may consider other factors—like your other symptoms—to see if you may have pneumonia. Other illnesses can be similar to pneumonia coughs, such as croup and whooping cough. Croup is an illness with a barking cough that mainly affects children. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, causes a violent cough with a whooping sound. The cough itself from pneumonia can signal that something is off. A new cough or a cough that has changed from your usual cough is a signal to investigate it further. What you cough up depends on what type of pneumonia you have and the stage it's in. You may not cough up anything if you have early-stage viral pneumonia. It's likely to be "more productive of mucus" if your viral pneumonia has progressed or you are dealing with bacterial pneumonia, said Dr. Casciari. A pneumonia cough can have bloody mucus. A severe cough for any reason can cause a blood vessel to break and mucus to be blood-tinged. Productive coughs are not always due to pneumonia. Wet coughs can also indicate other health conditions, such as: Asthma Bronchiectasis, a condition of inflamed and infected airway walls Bronchitis COVID-19 Cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes breathing and digestive problems Influenza Primary ciliary dyskinesia, a genetic condition that affects the lung-clearing functions of tiny, hair-like structures called cilia Pneumonia can cause other symptoms, in addition to a cough, such as: Chest discomfort Diarrhea Fever or chills Nausea or vomiting Trouble breathing Pneumonia is the result of air sac inflammation in the lungs. The outcome is coughing alongside other symptoms—like chills, difficulty breathing, or a fever—when the sacs fill with fluid or pus. Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, but each often results in a cough. This cough can produce green, yellow, or bloody mucus. Treatment for a pneumonia cough will be based on the type of pneumonia itself. Medications and home remedies typically treat pneumonia. Medications A healthcare provider will likely prescribe an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection—and your cough. Antibiotics help your symptoms improve over a few days. It's essential to take all of the antibiotics as prescribed. Not doing so may allow pneumonia to return and increase the possibility of antibiotic resistance. A healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication if the cause is viral. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Antiviral medicines may not affect all viruses that lead to pneumonia. Healthcare providers will have you take an antifungal medication for fungal pneumonia. These medications treat the underlying infection. They should help you to feel better, but it may take a little time for your cough to clear up. Home Remedies There are a few things you can do to help your cough in the meantime: Do steam treatments: This can be with a humidifier or just hanging out in your steamy bathroom. Inhaling humidified vapor can help loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up. The steam can also help clear your airways for better breathing. Drink plenty of water: Having a lot of fluids can make it easier to bring up phlegm by loosening secretions and preventing dehydration. Get some rest: Resting will help your body recover so you have the energy to fight the infection. Wait until you're fully recovered—and when a healthcare provider has said it's okay—to return to your routine activities. Try a cough suppressant: This is particularly helpful when you cannot sleep because you are coughing. Talk with a healthcare provider before using cough medicines. Coughing is helpful for the body to get rid of an infection. Call a healthcare provider if you suspect you have pneumonia. Seek help as soon as possible if you have: Chest pain Coughing up blood Drowsiness Headache High fever Night sweats A persistent cough that will not go away Significant shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Face swelling or hives Unintentional weight loss Wheezing A painful cough can be a sign of a range of health issues. It's a good idea to get it checked out if it's bothering you and is not getting better. A pneumonia cough might sound deeper or louder than other coughs and may or may not produce either green, yellow, or bloody mucus. The type of cough may depend on what kind of pneumonia you have and what stage it's in. Coughing is among the symptoms associated with pneumonia. Talk to a healthcare provider to figure out the best treatment for you if you are experiencing a severe cough, whether you suspect your cough is due to pneumonia or not.

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