Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request. ### Instruction: Can someone explain "respiratory failure" to me?30F, persistent pneumonia and shortness of breath. Sp02 sits at around 88 but as low as 50 on exertion.I have been treated at an outpatient clinic and visited by nurses daily, I have been given oxygen to use at home. My doctor said I have respiratory failure but I am unsure if this is just a general term, or if it means my lungs are dying, or something else?The term "failure" makes it seem serious/life threatening but I have not had anything explained to me.Should I be worried?. ### Response: Respiratory failure usually has a different meaning than being used here - what's the clinical situation causing this?Respiratory failure is often technically defined as either low oxygen levels or high carbon dioxide levels due to your lungs not working as well as they should. You can have acute respiratory failure, like if you get pneumonia or have an asthma attack; you can also have more chronic respiratory failure where your lungs dont work as well in generallike with emphysema.Its hard to know whats going on in your exact condition and what the prognosis is without more informationbest thing to do is ask your doc.In your case respiratory failure is defined by your need for oxygen -- chronic hypoxic respiratory failure. "Failure" in this situation means your lungs aren't working well enough on their own to sustain your life, so you need the oxygen. If your lungs weren't failing you wouldn't need oxygen.Should I be worried?That's a very common question on this sub, and often it's not answerable over the internet. In your case I'd certainly be worried. It sounds like you are quite young for having developed chronic respiratory failure, and it doesn't sound like you have a clear diagnosis (probably meaning there isn't a clear treatment plan going forward). You should keep asking questions to your doctors until you get answers; and if you haven't seen a pulmonologist yet you should seek one out ASAP. "Persistent pneumonia" isn't a diagnosis..