Pneumonia can develop from a bacterial infection, virus, parasite, or fungus, causing your lungs to keep getting inflamed. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening illness requiring hospitalization, especially in the elderly, smokers or people whose immune system is not functioning optimally. The symptoms can resemble the flu and are often accompanied by a fever and persistent cough. You may also have shortness of breath and chest pain. Fortunately, the disease is treatable.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: At the GP
Step 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 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 oral antibiotic. 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 caused by a virus cannot be treated with antibiotics, but the doctor can prescribe an antiviral medicine.
- Fungal pneumonia can be treated with antifungal medication.
Step 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 severity, and whether you need to go to the hospital. The number of days you should take antibiotics will depend on your overall health, how serious the pneumonia is, and the type of antibiotic you should be taking.
- Although experts differ on this, 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 the first series of antibiotics doesn't help, your doctor can add a second to tackle other bacteria. You may also need more testing to determine the specific organism causing the pneumonia.
Step 3. If there is no improvement or if the symptoms worsen, have the bacteria cultured and tested for hypersensitivity
These tests help identify the organism causing the symptoms. These tests also help the doctor to 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 counteract this, it is important to follow the instructions of your doctor, such as always finishing a course of treatment
Step 4. Get tested for varicella pneumonia
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
Step 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
Step 2. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
Water is the best choice here and helps loosen the mucus from the lungs. Not only is this good for the lungs, but it also makes you feel better.
Step 3. Follow the full course of the prescribed medication
If you stop the medication too early, your lungs will remain a breeding ground for bacteria and the disease can return.
It is very important, if you want to be sure that the pneumonia is completely cured and stays away, to finish the whole course
Step 4. Return to work or school once the fever has subsided and you are no longer coughing up phlegm
Maybe it's better to start working half days first. Don't go back to work right away.
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 for everything
Step 5. You can expect hospitalization if complications arise from the pneumonia or if you need oxygen or intravenous antibiotics
You may need to spend several days in the hospital to 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 keep you from keeping the antibiotics down
- Your blood pressure drops
- Your breathing speeds up
- You need help breathing
- Your body temperature is lower than it should be
Step 6. Go to a follow-up appointment
Another X-ray will be taken to make sure the lungs are clear of infection. This appointment is especially important for smokers who may suffer from 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 the hospital.