Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening illness that can happen when your lungs are not working properly. ARDS is usually a complication of other serious conditions and is treated in hospital.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually affects people who are already unwell.

Causes of ARDS can include:

  • sepsis
  • infections such as pneumonia
  • acute pancreatitis
  • accidentally inhaling vomit or food
  • drowning
  • smoke inhalation
  • severe injuries
  • having blood transfusions
  • having a lung transplant

Symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) include:

  • shortness of breath
  • taking short, fast breaths

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you or someone else:

  • have severe difficulty breathing, for example, not being able to get words out, choking, or gasping
  • have sudden shortness of breath and pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw
  • have sudden shortness of breath and your chest feels tight or heavy
  • have sudden shortness of breath and you're feeling sick or being sick
  • have sudden shortness of breath and you're coughing up blood
  • have sudden shortness of breath and you have pain or swelling in 1 of your legs
Find your nearest A&E

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is treated in hospital, usually in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Treatment may include:

  • oxygen, which you breathe in using a mask
  • ventilation, where a machine is used to breathe for you
  • medicines, such as antibiotics to treat infection
  • fluids given through a vein

ARDS is a life-threatening condition and cannot always be cured. There's a chance someone who has it may die.

ARDS can have long-term effects, such as:

  • shortness of breath
  • muscle weakness
  • pain