One of the most serious and common risks of being on a ventilator is developingpneumonia. The breathing tube makes it hard for you to cough. Coughing helps clear your airways of germs that can cause infections. The breathing tube that is put into your airway can allow bacteria and viruses to enter your lungs and, as a result, cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a major concern because people who need to be placed on ventilators are often already very sick. Pneumonia may make it harder to treat your other disease or condition. You may need special antibiotics, as the bacteria that caused your pneumonia could be resistant to standard antibiotics.
Another risk of being on a ventilator is a sinusinfection. This type of infection is more common in people who have endotracheal tubes. Sinus infections are treated with antibiotics.
