Aspiration Pneumonia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that develops after you aspirate (inhale) food, liquid, or vomit into your lungs. You can also aspirate food or liquid from your stomach that backs up into your esophagus. If you are not able to cough up the aspirated material, bacteria can grow in your lungs and cause an infection. Your risk is highest if you are older than 75 or live in a nursing home or long-term care center. You may be less active, bedridden, or not able to swallow or cough well. The muscles that help you swallow can become weakened by age, illness, or disease. Your risk also increases if you have a weak immune system.
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WHILE YOU ARE HERE:
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is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
A pulse oximeter
is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics treat pneumonia caused by bacteria.
- You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your healthcare provider before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
- Other medicines may be given to relieve your symptoms and make you more comfortable. Examples are medicines to help you breathe or to thin the mucus in your lungs.
Tests:
- Blood tests are used to find out if your white blood cell count is high. This can be a sign of infection.
- A barium swallow may show if you have long-term swallowing problems. Your healthcare provider will watch you swallow different foods and liquids. You may be asked to drink a thick liquid called barium while healthcare providers take x-rays of your throat, esophagus, and lungs.
- A sputum culture may be tested for bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Your healthcare provider may ask you to cough mucus into a cup, or he or she may suction mucus from your throat.
- X-ray or CT pictures may show lung damage or an infection, such as swelling and fluid in your lungs. You may be given contrast liquid before the CT scan so your healthcare provider can see the pictures better. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
Treatment:
- Swallowing therapy may be recommended. A speech therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles you use to swallow. A dietitian, nurse, occupational therapist, or physical therapist may teach you what to eat and how to swallow safely.
- A nasogastric (NG) tube or PEG tube may be used if you have trouble swallowing. An NG tube is a flexible tube placed in your nose to feed you or put medicine into your stomach. It will be removed if you are able to swallow normally again. If your swallowing does not get better, you may need a PEG tube. This is a soft, plastic tube that is put into your stomach through your skin. You may need a PEG tube until you can swallow food and water again, or you may always need it.
- An NPPV or ventilator may be used to help you breathe. NPPV is a machine that helps your lungs fill with air. You may receive extra oxygen through the machine. A ventilator is a machine that gives you oxygen and breathes for you when you cannot breathe well on your own. An endotracheal (ET) tube is put into your airway through your mouth or nose. You may need a trach if an ET tube cannot be placed. A trach is an airway tube put into an incision in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is attached to the ventilator.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
RISKS:
If you continue to aspirate, you could have long-term inflammation of your lungs. This can cause you to get aspiration pneumonia again and again. Your lungs may slowly fail to pump enough oxygen into your blood. You could develop a blood infection called sepsis. You may develop a lung abscess. This means part of your lung tissue begins to die. Any of the risks of aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Aspiration Pneumonia
Treatment options
- Medications for Aspiration Pneumonia
- Medications for Pleuropulmonary Infection
- Medications for Pulmonary Impairment
Care guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.