Centers of Excellence

The Lung Center

Pneumonia Services

Pneumonia is an infection within one or both lungs that can lead to respiratory problems, fatigue and fever. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergic reactions or chemical irritants. People at a higher risk of developing pneumonia include adults older than 65 and those with compromised immune systems and chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and lung transplant.

While pneumonia can often be resolved with medication, more serious cases, such as cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and patients with complications like pleural effusion, empyema and respiratory failure, require the attention of medical-surgical specialists.

Learn more about pneumonia and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP).

Why choose Brigham and Women's Hospital?

Board-certified pulmonologists trained in critical care and interventional pulmonology and thoracic surgeons at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Lung Center provide specialized diagnostic and treatment services for pneumonia from all causes and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP). Their collaborative goal, along with a team of multidisciplinary specialists, is to cure the infection and prevent complications. For patients who require surgery, our surgeons are highly skilled in chest tube drainage to relieve fluid and thoracotomy to remove damaged lung tissue.

How do I make an appointment?

Call The Lung Center at 1-844-BWH-LUNG (1-844-294-5864) to make an appointment with a pneumonia specialist or request an appointment online.

Who are your pneumonia specialists?

I'm a physician. How do I refer a patient to the Lung Center?

Physicians can call 1-844-BWH-LUNG (1-844-294-5864) to refer a patient or can make an online referral.

Where are you located?

The Lung Center is located at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the 15 Francis Street entrance. Thoracic surgery, pulmonary and critical care medicine and thoracic imaging are adjacent to one another, making accessibility and appointment scheduling seamless.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


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