Pneumonia aspirasi: what to know

Aspiration happens when food, drink, saliva, or stomach contents enter the airway instead of travelling safely to the stomach. The material can irritate lung tissue or carry germs into it, causing aspiration pneumonia. It may follow choking, vomiting, swallowing difficulty, reduced alertness, or problems with cough and throat protection. Cough, fever, chills, chest discomfort, breathlessness, and coughing up phlegm can appear soon afterwards or develop later.

Arrange prompt medical assessment after a suspected aspiration if you develop fever, worsening cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or unusual weakness. Until assessed, remain upright when awake and follow any swallowing plan already provided. Do not force food or drink if swallowing is unsafe. A clinician may review the event, examine your breathing, and consider tests or treatment based on your symptoms and health history.

Call emergency services for choking that does not clear, severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, collapse, or inability to stay awake. Urgent help is also needed for rapidly worsening illness or inability to swallow safely. A serious lung infection can spread through the body and may lead to sepsis.

Ask whether a swallowing assessment is needed, how to reduce another aspiration, which warning symptoms matter for you, and whether a speech and language or specialist review would help.