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What Does Bilateral Lung Infiltrates Mean On A Chest X Ray? There Has Been No Change In The Xrays In 3 Year

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A case of pneumonia may have triggered the appearance of bilateral lung infiltrates on a chest X-ray. However, this is certainly not the only scenario that can contribute to the presence of bilateral lung infiltrates. If a person hasn't seen any changes in their X-Rays in three years, it means they still have pulmonary infiltration (of airspaces in the lungs) by:

  • Fluid (this is sometimes known as lung edema)
  • Inflammatory elements (these may include white cells and protein).

Any infiltration of the lungs is serious; it's therefore very important to review chest X-Rays with a qualified physician who can offer an accurate diagnosis of any underlying condition(s). Since the conditions that cause bilateral lung infiltrates can range from "hospital" pneumonia to hemorrhage to TB (tuberculosis), it's vital to see an experienced, certified physician who can examine any related symptoms and treat the problem. Certain doctors spend years studying specialized medicine and learning exactly how to interpret X-Ray results; these specialists will always be the most compassionate, skilled, and experienced people to consult over worries about bilateral lung infiltrates. 

In layman's terms, bilateral lung infiltrates could be defined as having "stuff" in the lungs. Obviously, this is not an X-Ray result anyone wants to see during a medical examination. However, lung infiltrates may be treated successfully in most cases. Without a medical degree, it's difficult to ascertain the correct diagnosis and course of treatment for issues related to the pulmonary system. 

Pollution or exposure to harmful chemicals and carcinogens may contribute to bilateral lung infiltrates. These infiltrates are not supposed to be in the lungs. Whether your infiltrates are infectious (or not) is an important question that must be answered by a medical professional. However, the fact that X-Rays have remained the same for three years would tend to point to a non-infectious cause for bilateral lung infiltrates.

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