Is white lung disease contagious?
Sep 13, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
In general, "white lung" (also known as white lung disease) is a clinical description of a symptom. White lung itself is usually not contagious, but the underlying causes leading to white lung may be infectious. White lung refers to a radiological appearance in which the lung tissue, normally appearing black on imaging, turns largely white due to disease. This condition can be seen in illnesses such as novel coronavirus infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and severe pneumonia.
Generally speaking, "white lung" disease, or simply "white lung," is a clinical description of a symptom. White lung itself is usually not contagious, but the underlying causes that lead to white lung may be infectious. The details are as follows:
White lung occurs when lung tissue appears extensively white instead of normally black on imaging tests due to disease. It can be seen in conditions such as viral infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and severe pneumonia. The appearance of white lung typically indicates severe pulmonary inflammation with diffuse lung lesions. However, since white lung disease itself is not classified as a communicable disease, it does not spread from person to person.
Note that some of the primary diseases causing white lung are generally contagious. For example, viral infections can spread via respiratory droplets or close direct contact. If the infection progresses to a severe stage, it may result in white lung.
Patients presenting with white lung symptoms often have serious conditions and should actively cooperate with healthcare professionals to receive appropriate medical treatment to avoid adverse effects on health.
