Parapneumonic effusions and empyema are rarely life threatening if treated early. Delaying management, particularly for patients with respiratory distress, should never occur. With proper management, most effusions will resolve within 2-5 days and even complicated effusions will resolve with time.

Can you die from empyema?

Empyema is a serious condition that requires treatment. It can cause fever, chest pains, breathlessness and coughing up mucus. Although it can occasionally be life threatening, it's not a common condition, as most bacterial infections are effectively treated with antibiotics before they get to this stage.

How long do you treat empyema?

The duration of therapy (intravenous followed by oral) is 2 to 6 weeks depending on the extent of infection, clinical and laboratory response—3 to 4 weeks will be adequate in most cases.