Pneumonia treatment

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About Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a contagious infection of your lungs. The infection is caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungi that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. When this tissue becomes infected and inflamed, the airways become swollen and fill with pus or mucus, making it hard to breathe.

The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include:


  • Coughing (often with yellowish or green mucus)
  • Coughing up blood (in severe cases)
  • Fever, sweating, or chills that cause shaking
  • Sharp chest pain that gets worse when you breathe or cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (most common in children under the age of 2)
  • Confusion (most common in adults over the age of 65)

Pneumonia caused by viruses can be very contagious. According to the CDC, approximately 1 million adults are hospitalized for pneumonia every year, and nearly 50,000 Americans die from pneumonia annually. The influenza virus is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, although nearly 30 different germs can cause the infection. Pneumonia can affect anyone regardless of age or sex, but children under the age of 2 and adults over the age of 65 are most at risk for infection and complications caused by pneumonia. People staying in a hospital, people who smoke, and people with a chronic health problem or weakened immune system are also at risk for serious pneumonia infections or complications.

You can prevent pneumonia infection by practicing good hygiene, vaccinating yourself against the seasonal influenza virus, and -- if you’re in certain risk groups or of a certain age -- getting the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumonia can be treated with medication and self-care methods. If you are experiencing severe symptoms of pneumonia, such as coughing up mucus with blood in it, talk to your doctor right away. Untreated pneumonia can cause serious complications, even death.

Pneumonia is commonly treated at home with medication and self-care methods. In some serious cases, hospitalization may be required. Take a look below to learn more about treatments for pneumonia. During your appointment, talk to your provider about what treatment plan is right for you.

Medication prescribed to treat pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection:

- Medication for a viral infection: Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics. Instead, take an over-the-counter pain reliever/ fever reducer such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve) to reduce the symptoms of pneumonia. If your doctor believes that the influenza virus has caused pneumonia, they may prescribe an antiviral medication used to treat the flu. These drugs include: oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab) or baloxavir (Xofluza).

- Medication for bacterial infections: Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection. The specific antibiotic your doctor will prescribe depends on your health history, antibiotic resistance, and the bacteria causing the infection. Your doctor may need to try several different antibiotics to determine which medication will be the most effective. During antibiotic treatment, use an over-the-counter pain reliever/ fever reducer to manage your symptoms.

- Medication for fungal infection: If your doctor suspects that a fungal infection is causing your pneumonia, they may prescribe an antifungal medication as treatment. Antifungal medications used to treat pneumonia include: fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), flucytosine (Ancobon), and ketoconazole (Nizoral).

You can help speed up your recovery and manage the symptoms of pneumonia with several simple at-home methods. These self-care remedies include:

- Drink water. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to maintain your hydration and loosen up mucus in the lungs. This makes it easier for your body to bring up phlegm when you cough, which clears out airways. Drinking warm beverages, such as non-caffeinated herbal tea with honey, can help soothe irritation in your throat and make it easier to breathe. Make sure most of your fluid intake is water, though.

- Rest. Stay home, as pneumonia can be very contagious. Don’t go back to work or school until your temperature has returned to normal and you’ve stopped coughing up mucus. Your body needs rest to help fight the infection, so get plenty of sleep and refrain from strenuous physical activity. Talk to your doctor when you start to feel better to determine whether or not you can resume everyday activities.

- Avoid irritants. Smoking irritates the lungs and can make it harder to recover from an infection. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, avoid secondhand smoke and wood smoke to help your lungs recover. Additionally, use an air purification device to pull dust and dirt out of the air.

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