Treatment FAQ

pneumonia treatment what antibiotic

by Rowland Ankunding MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The first-line treatment for pneumonia in adults is macrolide antibiotics, like azithromycin or erythromycin. In children, the first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia is typically amoxicillin.Dec 9, 2021

Medication

Such measures include:

  • washing your hands thoroughly and regularly to reduce your risk for infection
  • avoiding cigarette smoke or quitting if you already smoke tobacco
  • where possible, avoiding areas with high levels of air pollution
  • eating a nutritious and balanced diet
  • staying active and exercising regularly
  • stress relief

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Therapy

Top 10 List of Common Infections Treated with Antibiotics

  • Acne
  • Bronchitis
  • Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
  • Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)
  • Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
  • Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
  • Traveler’s diarrhea
  • Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Self-care

You should be given antibiotics as soon as possible if your pneumonia is likely to be caused by a bacterial infection. You will probably not be given antibiotics if the cause is likely to be a virus, such as coronavirus. This is because antibiotics do not work for viral infections.

Nutrition

You can try the following measures to feel better:

  • Get lots of rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially hot liquids such as tea
  • Take honey to help with cough, but do not give honey to an infant
  • Use sinus rinses or saline nasal sprays
  • Use lozenges to help with sore throat, but do not give lozenges to children under four
  • Use a humidifier or inhale steam from a hot shower

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How to treat pneumonia at home without antibiotics?

What are the common antibiotics for pneumonia?

Should pneumonia be treated with antibiotics?

What over the counter medicine is good for pneumonia?

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What is the best antibiotic to treat pneumonia?

Macrolides. The best initial antibiotic choice is thought to be a macrolide. Macrolides provide the best coverage for the most likely organisms in community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP). Macrolides have effective coverage for gram-positive, Legionella, and Mycoplasma organisms.

What is the initial antibiotic treatment for pneumonia?

The initial treatment of CAP is empiric, and macrolides or doxycycline (Vibramycin) should be used in most patients.

What type of medicine is used for pneumonia?

Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat it.

Are antibiotics usually prescribed for treating pneumonia?

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home with rest, antibiotics (if it's likely be caused by a bacterial infection) and by drinking plenty of fluids. More severe cases may need hospital treatment.

Is azithromycin good for pneumonia?

Azithromycin is equally effective as treatment of atypical pneumonia in adult patients if given for 3 or 5 days at the same total dose.

What is the 2nd line antibiotic for pneumonia?

As a second-line antibiotic treatment in outpatients, cefuroxime or amoxicillin/clavulanate were mostly recommended in centres, 9 (47.4 %) and 6 (32 %) respectively (Fig. 3d). In cases of penicillin allergy, macrolides were recommended.

Will amoxicillin treat pneumonia?

An antibiotic such as amoxicillin is prescribed when pneumonia is suspected. Once pneumonia is diagnosed, it's best to start treatment within four hours. Infection with a germ (bacterial infection) is a common cause and antibiotics kill bacteria. Amoxicillin is usually effective against the most common causes.

How do you treat Covid pneumonia?

Are There Treatments for COVID-19 Pneumonia? Pneumonia may need treatment in a hospital with oxygen, a ventilator to help you breathe, and intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration.

Why azithromycin is given for 3 days?

It is concluded that a 3-day regimen of azithromycin prescribed as tablets is as clinically and microbiologically effective as a 10-day regimen of co-amoxiclav in the treatment of acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Which antibiotic is best for chest infection?

Amoxycillin, or alternatively erythromycin, will usually be suitable. In any patient, of any age, with a lower respiratory infection, the presence of new focal chest signs should be treated as pneumonia and antibiotic therapy should not be delayed.

What is the strongest antibiotic for infection?

Scientists have tweaked a powerful antibiotic, called vancomycin, so it is once more powerful against life-threatening bacterial infections. Researchers say the more powerful compound could eliminate the threat of antibiotic resistance for many years to come.

Here's what your doctor might prescribe you

Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor with over ten years of experience under her belt. She’s previously worked and written for WIRED Science, The Scientist, Discover Magazine, LiveScience, and Business Insider.

Types of Antibiotics for Pneumonia

There are multiple types of antibiotics that work in slightly different ways. Some are more commonly used to treat pneumonia than others based on things like: 6

How Your Doctor Chooses

Your doctor will select the right antibiotic for you based on multiple factors, including: 6

Side Effects

Antibiotics are serious drugs and can have some uncomfortable side effects. These can include: 9

Summary

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. Which antibiotic is prescribed is based on the type of bacteria, your age, health history, and more. You will often take the antibiotics for five to seven days. Completing the full course is important. Side effects may occur, which you should report to your doctor.

What is the best medicine for pneumonia?

It may take time to identify the type of bacteria causing your pneumonia and to choose the best antibiotic to treat it. If your symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend a different antibiotic. Cough medicine.

How to get rid of pneumonia?

Get plenty of rest. Don't go back to school or work until after your temperature returns to normal and you stop coughing up mucus. Even when you start to feel better, be careful not to overdo it. Because pneumonia can recur, it's better not to jump back into your routine until you are fully recovered.

What is the test for pneumonia?

This measures the oxygen level in your blood. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Sputum test. A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection.

What to do if pneumonia isn't clearing?

If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs. Pleural fluid culture. A fluid sample is taken by putting a needle between your ribs from the pleural area and analyzed to help determine the type of infection.

What tests are done to determine if you have pneumonia?

If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend the following tests: Blood tests . Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible. Chest X-ray.

How long does it take for a person to feel tired after pneumonia?

Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more. Specific treatments depend on the type and severity of your pneumonia, your age and your overall health. The options include: Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia.

Can you take cough suppressant with pneumonia?

In addition, you should know that very few studies have looked at whether over-the-counter cough medicines lessen coughing caused by pneumonia. If you want to try a cough suppressant, use the lowest dose that helps you rest. Fever reducers/pain relievers. You may take these as needed for fever and discomfort.

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a pathological process that affects lung tissue. It occurs in both adults and children. Inflammation of the lungs needs urgent treatment, even if it is not severe.

Pneumonia Treatment In Children

Antibiotics for pneumonia in children are used if the disease has bacterial nature. Antibiotic therapy eliminates the cause of the disease. Thus, it is a key element of treatment.

How Long Does Pneumonia Last After Antibiotics?

The length of treatment in adults and children depends on the severity of the disease and the type of the drug. For example, the length of treatment with azithromycin is 3 days, with amoxicillin – 7 days. [ 10]

Drugs used to treat Pneumonia

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Govind Desai
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
The course of treatment depends on the cause of infection, symptoms and severity of the condition.
Medication

Antibiotics: To treat bacterial infection.

Levofloxacin . Azithromycin


Antivirals: To treat viral infection.

Oseltamivir . Zanamivir


Antifungals: If the infection is caused by fungi.

Fluconazole . Itraconazole


Analgesics: To ease symptoms of pain.

Acetaminophen . Ibuprofen


Cough suppressants: To relieve cough.

Dextromethorphan . Codeine

Therapy

Oxygen therapy:To maintain oxygen level in the blood.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Take rest
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Do not over strain the body

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Increase fluid intake; broth based soups provide relief from symptoms
  • Take plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Consume lean proteins such as chicken

Foods to avoid:

  • Refined starch and sugar; pasteurized milk and dairy products

Specialist to consult

Pulmonologist
Specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the respiratory system.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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