Shortness of Breath Infections
- Caused by a viral infection, bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles---small passages in the lungs---and is rarely seen in anyone over the age of two, according to MedlinePlus, which says that the peak age for this infection is three to six months. A number of different viruses have been implicated as possible causes of bronchiolitis, which causes not only shortness of breath but also coughing, wheezing, a bluish cast to the skin, nasal flaring in infants and fever.
- Bronchitis is a potentially serious condition in which the inner lining of the lung's bronchial tubes becomes inflamed. Although this illness often is caused by viral agents such as those responsible for the common cold, it also can be caused by routine exposure to such irritants as tobacco smoke, smog and industrial pollutants, according to MayoClinic.com. Other symptoms include low fever, chills, fatigue, chest pain, coughing, wheezing and production of sputum.
- X-rays show clear signs of pneumonia in the lungs.
This potentially deadly inflammation of the epiglottis---a flap of tissue at the back of the mouth that keeps food from entering the trachea---can be set off by various bacterial and viral agents, as well as certain chemicals or physical trauma. When it becomes inflamed, the epiglottis can obstruct or even block the windpipe, making it almost impossible to breathe. Immediate medical attention must be sought if epiglottis is suspected, according to eMedicineHealth. Other symptoms include fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, elevated heart rate and difficulty speaking. - These inflammations of the cardiac wall and the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the heart are rare but extremely serious conditions, both of which can be caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infections, as well as allergic reactions to a variety of substances. Other symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, dizziness, fluid retention and fatigue. Periocarditis symptoms may include general malaise, slight fever, dry cough and abdominal swelling.
- An inflammation of the lung that can be caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, pneumonia is a potentially deadly disease that interferes with the supply of oxygen the body needs to function. Its symptoms, other than dyspnea, include persistent cough, fever, sweating, chills, chest pain, headache, fatigue and muscular pain.
