What condition is characterized by a cough and fever due to a lung infection?

Pneumonia is characterized by a cough and fever due to a lung infection, which may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. In pneumonia, the lungs become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms such as a productive cough (often producing phlegm), fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. The presence of such symptoms indicates that the respiratory system is actively fighting an infection, which is a key hallmark of pneumonia.

While bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis can also involve coughing and respiratory symptoms, the defining features of pneumonia, particularly the acute onset of fever and a significant lung infection, set it apart as the most accurate answer in this context. Bronchitis typically involves a persistent cough but often does not have high fever as a prominent symptom. Asthma is primarily characterized by airway constriction and wheezing rather than infection. Tuberculosis is a chronic infection and may not present with acute fever and cough, particularly in its latent form. Thus, pneumonia remains the most fitting answer given the specific symptoms of cough and fever due to an acute lung infection.