Complications of pneumonia include:

• Buildup of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion).
• Pockets of pus that form in the space between the lung and chest wall (empyema) or in the lung itself (lung abscess).
• Another bacterial lung infection after a viral infection (secondary infection).
• Another bacterial infection, such as a vaginal infection or infections of the digestive system, because of antibiotic therapy (secondary infection).
• Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia) or throughout the body (septicemia).
• Swelling of the covering of the spinal cord (meningitis) caused by spread of the infection.
• Infection of a joint caused by the spread of bacteria through the bloodstream (septic arthritis).
• Infection of the heart muscle or the sac surrounding the heart (endocarditis or pericarditis).