Empyema Treatment

Empyema is a condition that causes pus to develop in your pleural space. Pneumonia is the most common cause. A healthcare provider can diagnose empyema by listening to your lungs and ordering imaging and blood tests. Antibiotics treat most cases of empyema, but a provider may need to drain pus with a needle or through surgery.

Empyema is an infection in which pus develops in your pleural space. Pus is a thick, discolored (white, yellow, pink or green) fluid that your body creates to help fight infection. It consists of white blood cells, dead tissue and bacteria. Your pleural space is a hollow area (cavity) between your lungs and underneath your chest wall. Without proper treatment, empyema can get worse and may be fatal. If you have symptoms of empyema, call a healthcare provider right away. Other names for empyema include pyothorax and purulent pleuritis.

Is empyema a COPD?

No, empyema isn’t a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is an umbrella term for various lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Healthcare providers are more likely to see infections such as empyema as a symptom in people with COPD than in people without COPD.

Who does empyema affect?

Anyone can get empyema. However, you’re more likely to get empyema if you:

• Have pneumonia.
• Are older than 70.
• Recently had surgery on your chest.
• Have diabetes.
• Have COPD.
• Have bronchiectasis.
• Have a blood clot.
• Inject drugs into a vein with a needle (IV drug use).

Complications of Empyema

• Lung scarring or fibrosis
• Reduced lung function or “trapped lung”
• Spread of infection to other areas (sepsis)
• Chronic respiratory issues