In simple words: Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare lung infection caused by bacteria usually found in your mouth. It happens when these bacteria get into your lungs, often due to poor dental hygiene or a tooth abscess. The infection isn't contagious.It causes inflammation and pockets of pus in the lungs, which can lead to symptoms like chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and tiredness.

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare, chronic bacterial infection of the lungs caused by the bacterium *Actinomyces israelii*, which is normally found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. This infection is not contagious and typically develops after the aspiration of oropharyngeal or gastrointestinal secretions, often due to poor dental hygiene, a tooth abscess, or gum disease.It can also occur in individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like alcoholism, diabetes, or chronic lung disease like emphysema or bronchiectasis. The bacteria cause inflammation and the formation of abscesses in the lungs, resulting in symptoms such as chest pain, productive cough, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Example 1: A 45-year-old male with a history of poor dental hygiene and recent tooth abscess presents with chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.Imaging studies reveal lung abscesses, and sputum cultures confirm the presence of *Actinomyces israelii*., A 60-year-old female with long-term alcohol use and chronic bronchitis experiences persistent cough, weight loss, and night sweats.A lung biopsy reveals the characteristic granulomatous inflammation of pulmonary actinomycosis., An 11-year-old child with dental caries develops a chest wall mass and periodic chest discomfort. Biopsy of the mass confirms actinomycosis.

Documentation should include details of the patient's symptoms, including the duration and character of cough, chest pain, and any other associated symptoms like fever, fatigue, or weight loss.Medical history should note any history of poor dental hygiene, tooth abscesses, gum disease, alcoholism, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. Physical examination findings should be documented, along with the results of imaging studies (chest X-ray, CT scan), bronchoscopy, and laboratory tests (sputum culture, blood tests).The diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis and the treatment plan, including antibiotic regimen and duration, should be clearly documented.