Initial presentation of lung abscess may be similar to that of pneumonia. Anaerobic lung abscesses may have a more chronic and indolent presentation, with night sweats, fatigue, and anemia; in addition, pts may have discolored phlegm and foul-tasting or foul-smelling sputum. Pts with lung abscesses due to non-anaerobic organisms (e.g., S. aureus) may present with a more fulminant course characterized by high fevers and rapid progression.