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:

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