How to Cure a Lung Infection

Lung infections of all types can negatively impact your breathing and your overall health. Mild lung infections, such as the chest congestion associated with the common cold, can be uncomfortable and exhausting to deal with but are typically easy to cure. More serious or chronic lung infections, such as pneumonia, can take more time and effort to treat. However, with a combination of proper medical care and home remedies, you can successfully treat a lung infection.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Treating a Mild Lung Infection at Home

  1. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 1
    1
    Drink plenty of fluids. When trying to get rid of a mild lung infection, drinking water and other clear liquids can loosen the phlegm that is in your lungs. Try to drink water throughout your day in order to stay hydrated.[1]
    • Warm liquids, such as tea and broth, are especially helpful for loosening phlegm in your lungs and helping you to expel secretions. This will help to reduce your chances of developing a chronic lung infection.[2]
    • Other good sources of fluids include sports drinks and fruit juices, however they do include a lot of sugar, so keep that in mind.
  2. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 2
    2
    Get lots of rest. You need to give your body rest so that it can focus on eliminating your infection. Try not to exert yourself too much physically and rest when you feel tired while you have a lung infection. If possible, stay home from work or school, stay in bed, and avoid doing a lot of exercise.[3]
    • If you cannot rest completely during your illness, at least try to get a full night’s sleep every night.
    • Staying home from school or work can be hard but remember that if you have a lung infection it could be contagious and you could be getting other people sick.
    • You may find it uncomfortable to be flat on your back when you have a lung infection, so use pillows to help prop yourself up.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 3
    3
    Breathe in steam from a humidifier or a hot shower. Getting hot, moist air into your lungs can help break up mucus and relieve your cough. It will also open your nasal passages, which can help you breathe easier if you are congested.[4]
    • Another way to get steam into your lungs is to place your face over a bowl of hot water and then place a towel over the back of your head, covering your head and the bowl. Sit like this for several minutes, breathing in the steamy air.
    • Keep a humidifier in your bedroom so that you can keep it running overnight.
    • Clean your humidifier regularly to prevent mold from growing inside of it.
  4. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 4
    4
    Do deep breathing exercises or diaphragmatic breathing. Do a series of focused deep breaths that draw oxygen down deep into your diaphragm. As you breathe in and out, be sure that your breath is slow and steady. If you begin to get dizzy or lightheaded, stop immediately and return to normal breathing.[5]
    • Breathing exercises can both increase the amount of oxygen your lungs can take in and the amount of carbon dioxide they expel.
    • Pay attention to the quality of your breathing at you do these exercises. Labored or difficult breathing is usually a sign that you should see a doctor, as it could signal that you have pneumonia.
    • Diaphragmatic or “belly breathing” will help to bring oxygen into the lower parts of your lungs.[6]
  5. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 5
    5
    Take an expectorant to get mucus out of your lungs. If you have an infection that has created a lot of mucus in your lungs, it can make breathing hard and you can't always cough the mucus out effectively. An over-the-counter expectorant, such as guaifenesin, can break that mucus up so that you can cough it out.[7]
    • When you take expectorant medications, it's best to not take cough suppression medications at the same time, since the goal is to cough up the fluid in your chest.
    • If you are concerned about possible drug interactions with prescription medications you are taking, talk to your doctor about the over-the-counter medications that you are considering taking.
  6. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 6
    6
    Try percussion of a massager to help break up mucus. Ask a friend, partner, or family member to pat you on the back as you lean forward or to hold a back massager against your back while you lean forward. This may help you to expel any mucus that is trapped in your lungs.[8]
  7. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 7
    7
    Use a strongly-scented mentholated cream to ease your breathing. This type of cream is available at all drug stores. It is applied to the chest and when it is inhaled it helps to ease your breathing.[9]
  8. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 8
    8
    Try using a supplement or natural remedy. There are a wide variety of supplements and natural remedies that claim to improve lung function and your immune system and are available over-the-counter. For example, many people take ginseng, zinc, or B vitamins to boost their immune systems. Other vitamins and supplements that may help include:[10]
    • Vitamin C
    • Vitamin D (for healing infections)
    • Glutathione
    • L-glutamine, which may help to heal the lining of your gut
    • Natural remedies to ease any throat discomfort due to coughing. For example, fill a mug with warm water and stir in 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and a small piece of ginger. Drink it while it is still warm.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Getting Medical Treatment

  1. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 9
    1
    See your doctor if you are unable to cure the infection within a couple weeks. If you have a lung infection that has gone on for more than 2 weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor to be looked at. Be prepared to tell them about your symptoms and how long they have been going on.[11]
    • In addition to discussing your illness, your doctor will do a preliminary examination. This exam should include them listening to your breathing with a stethoscope.[12]
  2. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 10
    2
    Have testing done to determine what kind of infection you have. If your symptoms suggest a lung infection, your doctor may want to do diagnostic testing in order to give you a reliable diagnosis. Tests that can be done on the lungs include blood tests, x-rays, CT scans, and various cultures, such as a sputum test.[13]
    • Your doctor may also check how much oxygen is in your bloodstream by doing a pulse oximetry test.
    • If your condition is serious enough to have you hospitalized, the medical staff may do a bronchoscopy, which is a procedure that looks into your lungs.
  3. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 11
    3
    Take prescription medication to eliminate the infection. If you have a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia, your doctor will likely prescribe you medication. In most cases they will prescribe you antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals, depending on the cause of the lung infection.[14]
    • Talk to your doctor about any other medications you are taking to ensure that there will not be any drug interactions.
    • Follow your doctor’s instructions for dosing. Take the medication for as long as prescribed, even if you feel like the infection has cleared up. In some cases, if you stop your medication too early, the infection will not be cured and it can come back even stronger.
  4. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 12
    4
    Consult with a specialist if you have an ongoing lung condition. If you have a chronic lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis, it's important to get specialized medical care. Your primary care physician will likely suggest referring you to a specialist, but if they don't, feel free to ask them about whether this is an option.[15]
    • A pulmonologist is a doctor that specializes in disease of the lungs.[16]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

  1. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 13
    1
    Stop smoking. Smoking is an overall risk to your health and it can seriously impact the health of your lungs in particular. To have the best chance of quitting permanently, start a smoking cessation program with the help of a doctor or medical professional.[17]
    • There are a wide variety of thing you can use to help ease your cravings while quitting smoking. These include nicotine patches and gum, as well as prescription medications.
    • Smoking will decrease your body's ability to fight off any infections in the lungs. It is also known to cause infections, such as COPD.
  2. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 14
    2
    Protect your lungs from pollutants, allergens, and airborne chemicals. There are a variety of airborne pathogens that can get into your lungs and cause, or worsen, a lung infection. If you suspect that you will be around a pollutant, allergen, and airborne chemical, wear breathing protection, such as a N95 face mask.[18]
    • If you suspect that you are breathing in allergens in your home, consider getting an air purifying filter to help you breathe cleaner air.
    • You may also want to get an air purifier to help keep the air in your home clean. Be sure to change the filter on the air purifier regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
  3. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 15
    3
    Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet that includes a large amount of fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health and help give your immune a boost when it needs to fight off infection. Try to minimize your intake of sugar, fat, and alcohol, as all of these foods can decrease the strength of your immune system.[19]
    • A healthy diet doesn’t mean that you can’t have any sugar or fat. It just means that you need to eat a balanced diet that contains mostly fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

    Tip: If you are unsure how to create a balanced diet for yourself, talk to your doctor or a licensed dietitian about creating a plan for you.

  4. Image titled Cure a Lung Infection Step 16
    4
    Exercise on a regular basis. Weekly exercise can help you cure a lung infection because when you do aerobic exercise you increase the amount of blood flow that goes to your lungs. This doesn't mean you need to do long, strenuous workouts. Simply going on a quick walk around your neighborhood can increase your blood flow and help your lung health.[20]
    • If you have chronic or debilitating lung health problems, talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.[21]
    5. Advertisement

Warnings

  • It is important to get immediate medical care if you are having problems breathing. Go to an emergency room right away to ensure that your condition does not threaten your life.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Clear Dust from Your Lungs
How to
Clear Dust from Your Lungs
Tell the Difference Between a Pulled Muscle or Lung Pain
How to
Tell the Difference Between a Pulled Muscle or Lung Pain
Identify Popcorn Lung
How to
Identify Popcorn Lung
Heal the Lungs Naturally
How to
Heal the Lungs Naturally
Heal from a Collapsed Lung
How to
Heal from a Collapsed Lung
Treat Pleurisy
How to
Treat Pleurisy
Detox Your Lungs Naturally
How to
Detox Your Lungs Naturally
Strengthen Your Lungs After Having Pneumonia
How to
Strengthen Your Lungs After Having Pneumonia
Increase Your Lung Capacity for Singing
How to
Increase Your Lung Capacity for Singing
Increase Your Lung Capacity
How to
Increase Your Lung Capacity
Take a Spirometry Test
How to
Take a Spirometry Test
Treat a Pulmonary Edema at HomeHow to Treat a Pulmonary Edema: Can Home Remedies Help?
Clear Lung Congestion
How to
Clear Lung Congestion
Diagnose a Thymoma
How to
Diagnose a Thymoma
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition.html
  2. ↑ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/cough/
  3. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4022-upper-respiratory-infection
  4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4022-upper-respiratory-infection
  5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing
  6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/lung-health-and-disease/learning-diaphragmatic-breathing
  7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22078-expectorant
  8. ↑ https://www.myshepherdconnection.org/respiratory/postural-drainage-clapping
  9. ↑ https://www.drugs.com/mtm/camphor-and-menthol-topical.html
  1. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
  2. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4022-upper-respiratory-infection
  3. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007535.htm
  4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4022-upper-respiratory-infection
  5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/
  6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4798234/
  7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22210-pulmonologist
  8. ↑ https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/getting-started
  9. ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/protecting-your-lungs/
  10. ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition.html
  11. ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/exercise-and-lung-health
  12. ↑ https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/protecting-your-lungs/

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 34,008 times.
33 votes - 99%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: February 28, 2023
Views: 34,008
Categories: Lung Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Advertisement