Can a respiratory infection cause night sweats?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 18, 2026
Night sweats can be related to infection. For example, if you've recently been ill with a minor respiratory infection, a slight fever can cause you to sweat more at night, as your body's normal day/night temperature reset may be exaggerated.
What infection gives you night sweats?
Infections. Tuberculosis is the infection most commonly associated with night sweats. But bacterial infections, such as endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), osteomyelitis (inflammation in the bones), and abscesses can cause night sweats. Night sweats are also a symptom of HIV infection.
Can lung problems cause night sweats?
Pulmonary embolism is a common, potentially fatal disease. Making the correct diagnosis early can significantly reduce mortality and morbidity. We report the first case of drenching night sweats as one of the presenting symptoms of submassive pulmonary embolism.
Can chest infection cause night sweats?
You may also experience more general symptoms of an infection, such as a headache, fatigue, sweating, loss of appetite, or joint and muscle pain.
Can a lung infection make you sweat?
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus. Fever, sweating and shaking chills. Shortness of breath.
21 related questions foundWhen should I be concerned about night sweats?
An individual should be concerned about night sweats when they have been ongoing for two weeks or longer along with the below conditions: Unintentional weight loss. Fevers or chills. Body aches and joint pain.
What are the first signs of Covid pneumonia?
If your COVID-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia, you may notice things like: Rapid heartbeat. Shortness of breath or breathlessness. Rapid breathing.
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You may also have:
- Fatigue.
- Chills.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Belly pain.
- Muscle or body aches.
- A headache.
- Loss of smell or taste.
Can a virus cause night sweats?
Viral illnesses such as colds and the flu cause night sweats, but they resolve on their own — and the associated fever and sweating typically respond to anti-fever medications, such as acetaminophen (TYLENOL®) or ibuprofen (Advil®).
Does pneumonia cause night sweats?
You may or may not run a fever with pneumonia. If you do, you may experience chills and sweating. Pay attention, though, if you develop night sweats and shaking chills, especially with unexplained weight loss.
Can you have night sweats without fever?
Menopause, low blood sugar, and fever can cause night sweats. So can certain medications, including antidepressants and steroids. If your clothing or your bedroom temperature causes you to sweat, it's not considered night sweats. Night sweats are unpleasant, but most of the time they're harmless.
Why do I sweat in my sleep when it's cold?
Your sleepwear and sleep environment
Ram says that the most common reason for night sweats are: Bedding, sleepwear or even a mattress that doesn't "breathe" A sleep environment that's too warm.
What do night sweats indicate?
Night sweats, or excessive sweating during sleep, are a common symptom in women and men. Many medical conditions and diseases can cause night sweats. Examples include women in perimenopause or menopause; medications, hormone problems (Low-T), low blood sugar, and neurological problems.
What are the 4 stages of pneumonia?
Stages of Pneumonia
- Stage 1: Congestion. During the congestion phase, the lungs become very heavy and congested due to infectious fluid that has accumulated in the air sacs. ...
- Stage 2: Red hepatization. ...
- Stage 3: Gray hepatization. ...
- Stage 4: Resolution.
How do you get rid of night sweats?
Sipping cool water throughout the night. Keeping a cold pack under a pillow, then turning your pillow over to rest your head on a cool surface. Avoiding common night sweat triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, cigarettes. De-stressing through deep breathing, relaxation, and exercise.
What are the danger signs of pneumonia?
Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fast breathing or not being able to breathe fully.
- Feel like you cannot get enough air.
- Racing or irregular heart rate.
- Confusion.
- A bluish tint to your skin, fingertips, or lips.
- Extreme restlessness.
- Anxiety.
- Fatigue.
What are the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia?
The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:
- Bluish color to lips and fingernails.
- Confused mental state or delirium, especially in older people.
- Cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus.
- Fever.
- Heavy sweating.
- Loss of appetite.
- Low energy and extreme tiredness.
- Rapid breathing.
Do you get night sweats with bronchitis?
A cough accompanied by a feeling of being very unwell, chills and night sweats. Blood in coughed-up mucus. Frequent breathing difficulties and noticeable wheezing sounds when you breathe.
Why are night sweats a red flag?
Differential diagnoses
Night sweats requiring patients to change clothing or bed linen should be taken seriously. Night sweats can be a manifestation of simple infection, underlying malignancy, more complex infections – including TB and HIV – connective tissue disorders, menopause or certain prescribed drugs.
What are three common respiratory infections?
Upper respiratory infections include:
- Common cold.
- Epiglottitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Pharyngitis (sore throat).
- Sinusitis (sinus infection).
How long do Covid symptoms last?
How long do COVID symptoms last? Those with a mild case of COVID-19 usually recover in one to two weeks. For severe cases, recovery can take six weeks or more, and for some, there may be lasting symptoms with or without damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs and brain.
How long does COVID-19 pneumonia last?
For the 15% of infected individuals who develop moderate to severe COVID-19 and are admitted to the hospital for a few days and require oxygen, the average recovery time ranges between three to six weeks.
Should I see a doctor for night sweats?
Schedule a visit with your health care provider if night sweats: Occur on a regular basis. Interrupt your sleep. Are accompanied by a fever, weight loss, pain in a specific area, cough, diarrhea or other symptoms of concern.
How do I know if I have bronchitis or pneumonia?
If you have bronchitis, your symptoms could include a cough that brings up mucus, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and a low fever. Pneumonia is an infection that can settle in one or both of your lungs. Though pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi, bacteria is the most common cause.
Can you have pneumonia for months?
"In addition, it's important to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take fever-reducing medicine if you have a fever," he adds. Most people start to feel better within three to five days, but a cough from pneumonia can last weeks or months after treatment.
Can you have pneumonia and not know it?
You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. You can also have it and not know it. Doctors call this walking pneumonia. Causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.