Have you ever coughed so deep it felt like it rattled your whole ribcage? The kind of cough that makes you swear you just dislodged an organ? That “I might actually cough up a lung” feeling is one of the classic signs that a lower respiratory infection may be brewing.
Lower respiratory infections affect the airways and lungs below your throat. They tend to hit harder, last longer, and interrupt your day in ways a regular cold doesn’t. Understanding what’s going on inside your chest can help you recognize symptoms early and get the right care before things spiral into something more serious.
What Exactly Is a Lower Respiratory Infection?
A lower respiratory infection (often called an LRI) settles into the trachea, bronchi, or lungs. This is the deeper end of your respiratory system. It’s also why symptoms tend to feel more intense than an upper respiratory infection that sticks to your nose, throat, or sinuses.
Common LRIs include:
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Bronchiolitis (more common in children)
- Influenza when it settles in the lungs
These infections are more than a heavy cough. They often disrupt breathing, drain your energy, and linger longer than most seasonal bugs.
What Causes Lower Respiratory Infections?
Most LRIs are caused by viruses. RSV, influenza, and certain cold viruses can all infect the lower respiratory tract. Bacterial infections can also cause LRIs, especially pneumonia, and these tend to be more severe, especially in patients with underlying conditions like COPD or asthma.
Environmental irritants like smoke or pollution can worsen symptoms, though they usually don’t cause the infection by themselves.
How Lower Respiratory Infections Usually Feel
Symptoms can vary depending on the cause, but LRIs often come with:
- Persistent, deep cough (often producing mucus)
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
Reach out to your provider if you’re having trouble breathing, if your fever is high or staying high, or if your cough lasts longer than a week. Changes in mucus color or thickness can be a red flag, as can chest pain or bluish lips or fingertips. If something feels off, it’s better to get checked early.
How Lower Respiratory Infections Are Treated
Lower respiratory infections affect the deeper parts of the lungs, making them more intense than typical upper respiratory illnesses. Early treatment and careful monitoring can help prevent complications and shorten recovery time.
Treatment depends on what type of infection you have. Viral LRIs don’t respond to antibiotics, so care usually focuses on rest, hydration, fever reducers, and sometimes antiviral medication if the flu is involved.
If a provider suspects a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. In both cases, people with asthma, COPD, or other chronic lung conditions may need nebulized medications to help open the airways and ease symptoms.
Lower respiratory infections can become serious if left untreated, especially for older adults, young children, individuals with weakened immune systems, and anyone managing a chronic lung disease. Complications may include dehydration, worsening asthma or COPD symptoms, or pneumonia that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
ABC Pharmacy is here to support your respiratory health year-round. Our respiratory supply program delivers a range of medications, nebulizer kits, and supplies right to your door. Contact our team and speak to your doctor to learn how our team can help you breathe a little easier, every day of the year.
Related Reading:
Know the Differences Between Lower and Upper Respiratory Infections