Treatment
If the cause is bacterial, the goal is to cure the infection
with antibiotics. If the cause is viral, typical antibiotics will NOT be effective, however sometimes your doctor may use antiviral medication
. In some cases it is difficult to distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia, so antibiotics may be prescribed.
Many people can be treated at home with antibiotics. If you have an underlying chronic
disease, severe symptoms, or low oxygen levels, you will likely require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics and oxygen therapy
. Infants and the elderly are more commonly admitted for treatment of pneumonia.
You can take these steps at home:
- Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm
.
- Get lots of rest. Have someone else do household chores.
- Control your fever
with aspirin or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
When in the hospital, respiratory
treatments to remove secretions may be necessary. Occasionally, steroid medications may be used to reduce wheezing
if there is an underlying lung disease.
Outlook (Prognosis)
With treatment, most patients will improve within two weeks. Elderly or debilitated patients who fail to respond to treatment may die from respiratory failure
.
Possible Complications
Empyema
or lung
abscesses are infrequent, but serious, complications of pneumonia. They occur when pockets of pus form around or inside the lung
. These may sometimes require surgical drainage.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your doctor if you have:
- Worsening respiratory
symptoms
- Shortness of breath, shaking chills, or persistent fevers
- Rapid or painful breathing
- A
cough that brings up bloody or rust-colored mucus
- Chest pain that worsens when you cough
or inhale
- Night sweats or unexplained weight loss
- Signs of pneumonia
and weak immune system, as with HIV or chemotherapy
Infants with pneumonia may not have a
cough. Call your doctor if your infant makes grunting noises or the area below the rib cage is retracting while breathing.
Prevention
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose
, going to the bathroom, diapering, and before eating or preparing foods.
- Don't smoke
. Tobacco damages your lung's ability to ward off infection.
- Wear a
mask when cleaning dusty or moldy areas
Vaccines can help prevent pneumonia in children
, the elderly, and people with diabetes, asthma, emphysema, HIV, cancer, or other chronic conditions:
Taking deep breaths may help prevent pneumonia if you are in the hospital -- for example, while recovering from surgery
. Often, a breathing device will be given to you to assist in deep breathing.
If you have cancer
or HIV, you should talk to your doctor about additional ways to prevent pneumonia.
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