Treatment FAQ

what is pneumonia symptoms and treatment

by Bernhard Miller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial versus viral pneumonia in adults? High fever (up to 105° F) Tiredness (fatigue) Trouble breathing: rapid breathing or shortness of breath. Sweating. Chills. Cough with mucus (might be greenish in color or contain a …

Causes

Apr 22, 2022 · There are many symptoms of open pneumonia such as fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, chest pain, cough, etc. these symptoms are different for infants and children younger than age 5. If your infant is having trouble breathing or hissing sound, it …

Complications

Mar 24, 2022 · If your pneumonia is serious, you may be treated in a hospital so you can get antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line inserted into your vein. You may also get oxygen therapy to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. If your pneumonia is very serious, you may need to be put on a ventilator.

What could happen if my pneumonia remains untreated?

Aug 16, 2021 · Most people can manage their symptoms such as fever and cough at home by following these steps: Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children. Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.

How to determine if you have pneumonia?

Symptoms. a. Coughing. b. Fatigue. c. Chest pain when breathing or coughing. d. Fever, sweating, and shaking chills. e. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. f. Shortness of breath. g. Loss of appetite. h. Headaches. Causes. Pneumonia affects one when germs get into the lungs and cause an infection.

What is the best home remedy for pneumonia?

Dec 13, 2021 · Symptoms of pneumonia. Consider the symptoms of classic pneumonia, the development of which is caused by pneumococcus: an increase in body temperature to a critical 39-40 degrees; severe cough with sputum from the lung of an adult; painful sensations in the chest during coughing and breathing; wheezing that can be heard when listening to the lung.

What are the four stages of pneumonia?

Aug 14, 2018 · Presenting symptoms of pneumonia are typically cough, pleuritic chest pain, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Children and the elderly have different presenting features of pneumonia, which include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and absence of one or more of the prototypical symptoms.

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What is the main cause of pneumonia?

Pneumonia is typically due to infectious pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. These pathogens can spread via coughing and sneezing or by contaminating surfaces that people touch. In most cases, a person contracts pneumonia-causing pathogens by breathing them into the small air sacs, or alveoli, within their lungs.

What is the basic symptoms of pneumonia?

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.Fever, sweating and shaking chills.Shortness of breath.Rapid, shallow breathing.Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue.More items...•Jul 30, 2021

What is the most common treatment for 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.

Can pneumonia go away on its own?

Official Answer. Yes, pneumonia can go away on its own, but only when it is considered mild. Walking pneumonia refers to a case of pneumonia that is so mild that you can go about day-to-day activities throughout the course of the illness.Oct 6, 2021

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 are the first signs of Covid pneumonia?

If your COVID-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia, you may notice things like: Rapid heartbeat. Shortness of breath or breathlessness. Rapid breathing....You may also have:Fatigue.Chills.Nausea or vomiting.Diarrhea.Belly pain.Muscle or body aches.A headache.Loss of smell or taste.More items...•Jan 25, 2022

What is the best way to recover from pneumonia?

Drink warm beverages, take steamy baths and use a humidifier to help open your airways and ease your breathing. Contact your doctor right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better over time. Stay away from smoke to let your lungs heal. This includes smoking, secondhand smoke and wood smoke.

How can I recover from pneumonia faster?

Tips for regaining your strength after severe pneumoniaGet plenty of rest.Slowly start moving around once you're ready — but don't overdo it.Complete any (and all) treatments prescribed by your doctor.Eat a nutritious diet.Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.More items...•Jun 7, 2021

What are the 3 stages of pneumonia?

Stages of PneumoniaStage 1: Congestion. During the congestion phase, the lungs become very heavy and congested due to infectious fluid that has accumulated in the air sacs. ... Stage 2: Red hepatization. ... Stage 3: Gray hepatization. ... Stage 4: Resolution.

Can you recover from pneumonia without medication?

Mild cases of pneumonia can go away on their own if you manage your symptoms and get adequate rest. Home treatment for pneumonia includes getting plenty of rest, drinking adequate fluids, steamy baths or showers, fever reducers, and avoiding smoking. In severe cases of pneumonia, hospitalization may be needed.Oct 1, 2021

What foods should you avoid when you have pneumonia?

Food Types to Avoid if You Have Lung DiseaseSalty Foods. Sodium causes fluid retention, which can lead to shortness of breath in patients who have lung disease. ... Dairy Products. ... Processed Meats. ... Soda. ... Fried Foods.

What happens when you have pneumonia?

Pneumonia and your lungs. Most pneumonia occurs when a breakdown in your body's natural defenses allows germs to invade and multiply within your lungs. To destroy the attacking organisms, white blood cells rapidly accumulate. Along with bacteria and fungi, they fill the air sacs within your lungs (alveoli).

How to prevent pneumonia?

Get vaccinated. Vaccines are available to prevent some types of pneumonia and the flu. Talk with your doctor about getting these shots. The vaccination guidelines have changed over time so make sure to review your vaccination status with your doctor even if you recall previously receiving a pneumonia vaccine.

Why is pneumonia so serious?

Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.

What is a health care acquired pneumonia?

Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities or who receive care in outpatient clinics , including kidney dialysis centers.

What is the most common cause of pneumonia?

The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you've had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia. Bacteria-like organisms.

What are the complications of pneumonia?

Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, especially those in high-risk groups, may experience complications, including: Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia). Bacteria that enter the bloodstream from your lungs can spread the infection to other organs, potentially causing organ failure.

What does it feel like to breathe and cough?

Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) Cough, which may produce phlegm. Fatigue. Fever, sweating and shaking chills. Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems) Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Chest pain and/or abdominal pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing. Loss of appetite. Confused mental state or changes in awareness (especially in older adults) Viral pneumonia: Symptoms usually develop over a period of several days.

How to check for pneumonia?

Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Possibly order a chest X-ray to look for signs of pneumonia and the extent of the infection. Conduct a pulse oximetry test to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood (indicates how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your bloodstream).

What is pneumonia in the lungs?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. When there is an infection in the lungs, several things happen, including: The air sacs in the lungs fill with mucus and other fluids. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

What causes pneumonia in the respiratory tract?

Viruses: Any virus that causes a respiratory tract infection ( infections of the nose, throat, trachea

What causes pneumonia outside of a hospital?

This type of pneumonia occurs outside of a hospital or other healthcare facility. Causes include: Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other atypical bacteria: Other types of bacteria with unique features can cause different types of pneumonia.

How long does it take for a cough to go away?

Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually begin to improve within a few days after starting treatment. A cough can last for several weeks.

How to treat pleural effusion?

Pleural effusion can be treated by draining excess fluid with a catheter, chest tube or by surgery. Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia): The bacteria that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.

What to do if you have pneumonia in the hospital?

If your pneumonia is so severe that you are treated in the hospital, you may be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy, and possibly other breathing treatments.

How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?

Some people feel better and are able to return to their normal routines within a week. For other people, it can take a month or more. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward full recovery and to avoid relapse.

What is the best medicine for cough and fever?

Most people can manage their symptoms such as fever and cough at home by following these steps: Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.

How to get rid of an infection?

If your cough is preventing you from getting the rest you need, ask your doctor about steps you can take to get relief. Drink warm beverages, take steamy baths and use a humidifier to help open your airways and ease your breathing.

What to do if you are a smoker and have trouble staying smokefree?

This includes smoking, secondhand smoke and wood smoke. Talk to your doctor if you are a smoker and are having trouble staying smokefree while you recover. This would be a good time to think about quitting for good. Get lots of rest.

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Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Symptoms
If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Pneumonia, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms may include:

  • Cough with mucus or phlegm
  • Fever usually of high grade with chills
  • Fast breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain while coughing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Feeling very tired or very weak
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Body pain
  • Severely affected patients my cough up blood or show cyanosis (have a blue color around the mouth due to lack of oxygen)

Causes

An infection caused by bacteria or virus. Fungi or mycoplasma can rarely be the cause. Fungal pneumonia is not infectious.

  • Bacterial and viral pneumonia spread through inhalation of airborne droplets by coughing or sneezing

Risk factors include:

  • Age - the most vulnerable are children below 2 years and adults above 65 years
  • Hospitalized in intensive care unit and if on support of ventilator for a prolonged period
  • Lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase the risk
  • Smoking
  • Poor immune system - persons with weak immune system due to conditions such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer or undergone organ transplants

Complications

Pneumonia is usually treatable with antibiotics (if bacterial). If it is untreated it can lead to serious complications, such as:

  • Bacteremia: infection that spreads to the bloodstream
  • Lung abscesses: Pus formation in the lung cavities
  • Impaired breathing: trouble getting enough oxygen; ventilator may be required
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome: severe form of respiratory infection
  • Pleural effusion: fluid build-up in tissue that lines the lungs

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

Overview

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Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds that suggest pneumonia. If pneumonia is suspected, your doctor may recommend the following tests: 1. Blood tests.Blood tests are us…
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Symptoms

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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Causes

  • These tips can help you recover more quickly and decrease your risk of complications: 1. 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 rec…
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Risk Factors

  • You may start by seeing a primary care doctor or an emergency care doctor, or you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in infectious diseases or in lung disease (pulmonologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know what to expect.
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Complications

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Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can range in seriou…
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Prevention

  • The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: 1. Chest pain when you breathe or cough 2. Confusion or changes in mental aware…
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