Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: At the doctor
• Method 2 of 2: At home
• Tips
• Warnings

Pneumonia can develop from a bacterial infection, virus, parasite or fungus, causing your lungs to become inflamed over and over again. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening illness requiring hospitalization, especially in the elderly, smokers or people whose immune systems are not functioning optimally. The symptoms may resemble the flu and are often accompanied by a fever and persistent cough. You may also be short of breath and have chest pain. Fortunately, the disease can be treated well.

To step

Method 1 of 2: At the doctor

1. Make an appointment with your doctor for a thorough diagnosis and necessary medication for treating pneumonia. In addition to an examination, an X-ray of the lungs will often be made to be able to make a correct diagnosis. Your doctor may also have your blood and mucus tested. The type of medication depends on the cause of the pneumonia.
   • Bacterial and mycoplasma pneumonia can be treated with an antibiotic taken orally. Unfortunately, there are types of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Penicillin and macrolides are the most common types of antibiotics used for pneumonia. Cephalosporins can be used if you are allergic to penicillin or if it has not worked. Fluoquinolones are sometimes used, but have more side effects than the other types of antibiotics for pneumonia.
   • Pneumonia from a virus cannot be treated with antibiotics, but your doctor can prescribe an antiviral.
   • Pneumonia from a fungus can be treated with antifungal medications.
2. If you have bacterial pneumonia, start with antibiotics. Your doctor will choose an antibiotic based on a number of things, including your age, symptoms and how severe they are, and whether you need to go to the hospital. The number of days you need to take antibiotics depends on your overall health, how serious the pneumonia is, and the type of antibiotic you need to take.
   • Although experts disagree, the first type of antibiotic used is usually one that targets a large group of bacteria (broad-spectrum antibiotics). All antibiotics used have a high cure rate for pneumonia.
   • If you don't get better with the first series of antibiotics, your doctor can add a second kind to deal with other bacteria. You may also need to undergo more testing to determine the specific organism causing the pneumonia.
3. If there is no improvement or if the symptoms worsen, have the bacteria grown and tested for hypersensitivity. These tests help identify the organism causing the symptoms. These tests also help the doctor determine whether the bacteria is resistant to antibiotics.
   • More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to certain types of antibiotics, making them less effective. An example is MRSA, or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant to most types of penicillin. To counter this, it is important to follow the directions of your doctor, such as always completing a course.
4. Have pneumonia tested for Varicella. This is rare, but can be treated with an antiviral drug. Your doctor will prescribe a number of tests to see if this is the case.
   • Symptoms usually improve within 3 weeks. If you do have pneumonia, don't worry.It can and will go away.

Method 2 of 2: At home

1. Rest as much as possible to aid your recovery. You may start to feel better within a few days or weeks, but fatigue can last for more than a month. Patients treated in hospital need at least 3 weeks of rest before they can resume their normal daily routine.
   • Symptoms can take longer to disappear in smokers. If you smoke, keep that in mind.
2. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is the best choice here, and it helps to loosen the mucus from the lungs. Not only is this good for the lungs, but it also makes you feel better.
3. Follow the full course of the prescribed medication. If you stop taking the medication too soon, your lungs will remain a breeding ground for bacteria and the disease may return.
   • It is very important to make sure that the pneumonia is completely healed and stays away to complete the whole course.
4. Go back to work or school once the fever has subsided and you no longer cough up phlegm. Maybe it is better to work half days first. Do not go back to work immediately.
   • It is normal to feel a little tired for the first few weeks. Only do what you can - you probably need more time than you want to do everything.
5. You can expect hospitalization if there are complications from pneumonia or if you need oxygen or intravenous antibiotics. You may need to spend a few days in the hospital before you recover enough for further treatment at home. If you get any of the following symptoms, go to the hospital immediately:
   • You get confused about time, people or places
   • Nausea and vomiting will keep you from holding the antibiotics in
   • Your blood pressure drops
   • Your breathing speeds up
   • You need help breathing
   • Your body temperature is lower than it should be
6. Go to a follow-up appointment. Another X-ray will be taken to check if the lungs are free of infection. This appointment is especially important for smokers who may experience chronic coughing and shortness of breath.

Tips

• If a child is constantly tired, has difficulty breathing, appears dehydrated, and has a higher or lower body temperature than normal, see a doctor immediately.
• Adults over 65 and children under 3 months with pneumonia should always go to hospital.

Warnings

• Do not stop the treatment without consulting your doctor. Even if you feel better, finish the course to prevent the pneumonia from returning.