Treatment FAQ

what is the most common treatment for pneumonia

by Dr. Rosina Sanford Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

Medication

These include:

  • adopting a varied and healthful diet
  • getting regular exercise
  • not smoking
  • avoiding air pollution, if possible
  • managing stress levels and getting enough sleep
  • practicing good hand-washing to reduce the risk of infection
  • following any instructions the doctor recommends for staying healthy

Therapy

  • Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin): Children and adults
  • Fluoroquinolones: Adults
  • Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline): Older children and adults

Self-care

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

More items...

Nutrition

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia, how sick the patient is, the patient’s age, and if other underlying medical conditions are present. Mild cases of pneumonia will often go away on their own by managing symptoms and getting adequate rest.

What are the best treatments for pneumonia?

What antibiotic is best for pneumonia?

What over the counter medicine is good for pneumonia?

Can pneumonia go away on its own?

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What is the most effective treatment for pneumonia?

The main treatment for pneumonia is antibiotics, along with rest and drinking plenty of water. If you have chest pain, you can take pain killers such as paracetamol. Treatment depends on how severe your pneumonia is. Treatment with antibiotics should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis.

What is the latest treatment for pneumonia?

FDA approves new antibiotic to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Xenleta (lefamulin) to treat adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

What is the first line treatment for pneumonia?

Pneumonia should be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic of choice for first line treatment is amoxicillin dispersible tablets. Most cases of pneumonia require oral antibiotics, which are often prescribed at a health centre.

What is the best antibiotic to treat pneumonia?

In otherwise uncomplicated pneumonia, azithromycin is the initial drug of choice, as it covers most of the potential etiologic agents, including Mycoplasma species.

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.

How long does it take for Covid pneumonia to clear up?

For the 15% of infected individuals who develop moderate to severe COVID-19 and are admitted to the hospital for a few days and require oxygen, the average recovery time ranges between three to six weeks.

What are the 4 stages of pneumonia symptoms?

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.

What is the strongest antibiotic for infection?

Vancomycin, long considered a "drug of last resort," kills by preventing bacteria from building cell walls.

What is the strongest antibiotic for upper respiratory infection?

Amoxicillin is the preferred treatment in patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. Short-course antibiotic therapy (median of five days' duration) is as effective as longer-course treatment (median of 10 days' duration) in patients with acute, uncomplicated bacterial rhinosinusitis.

What is Covid pneumonia?

COVID-19 Pneumonia In pneumonia, the lungs become filled with fluid and inflamed, leading to breathing difficulties. For some people, breathing problems can become severe enough to require treatment at the hospital with oxygen or even a ventilator. The pneumonia that COVID-19 causes tends to take hold in both lungs.

What type of medication is used to treat pneumonia?

Antibiotics. These medicines are used to treat bacterial pneumonia.

How long does it take for lungs to heal after pneumonia?

Pneumonia and its complications can wreak havoc on a person's lungs and body. And, it can take anywhere from one to six months for a person to recover and regain strength after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

How Is Bacterial Pneumonia Treated?

Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, which usually help people feel better within a few days to a week.2People who are very old, ve...

How Is Viral Pneumonia Treated?

Viral pneumonias are more likely to be treated at home, and not at the hospital.Viral pneumonia caused by the flu can be treated with an antiviral...

How Is Fungal Pneumonia Treated?

If the course of the pneumonia is slow and your chest X-ray looks unusual, you may have fungal pneumonia. These conditions can be diagnosed with a...

How Are Pneumonia Complications Treated?

Complications may be more common in pneumonia that starts after stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs, a type of condition called aspiration...

What Home Remedies Are There For Pneumonia?

There are no proven alternative treatments to get rid of germs that cause pneumonia, but there may be some home remedies that help with symptoms —...

Is There A Pneumonia Vaccine?

Because pneumonia can develop after a case of the flu, getting the seasonal flu shot can help prevent it.The Centers for Disease Control and Preven...

Can Vitamin C Fight Pneumonia?

The benefits of vitamin C were analyzed in a review published in April 2013 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, which looked at three s...

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.

How to keep germs from spreading?

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, promptly dispose of tissues in a closed waste container and wash your hands often .

What is the best treatment for pneumonia?

Viral pneumonia caused by the flu can be treated with an antiviral medication called Tamiflu (oseltamivir), but for many other viral pneumonias, your doctor can only treat the symptoms. This means drinking lots of fluids, eating well, resting, taking medication for pain or fever, and treating breathing difficulties.

What is the most common type of pneumonia that starts after stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs?

Complications may be more common in pneumonia that starts after stomach contents are inhaled into the lungs, a type of condition called aspiration pneumonia. Another dangerous variation is necrotizing pneumonia, a bacterial pneumonia that can result from a large number of pathogens, including staphylococcus. ( 6)

What causes pneumonia in the elderly?

Other causes of pneumonia include bacteria and fungi. Your doctor will outline a plan that's specific to you, considering the type of pneumonia you have, the severity of the condition, your age, and your overall health. From there, you'll know whether you can be treated at home or at the hospital, and whether or not you need antibiotics.

How many types of fungi cause pneumonia?

These conditions can be diagnosed with a blood test that shows your body is making antibodies to the fungus. More than 10 types of fungi can cause fungal pneumonia, which is more common in people with weakened immune systems. ( 5)

Can you treat pneumonia with medication?

Medication is usually ineffective in treating the viral types of pneumonia — doctor s will instead treat the symptoms — though these infections also tend to be milder and clear up on their own. Working closely with your doctor and following all directions will speed your recovery.

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.

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 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).

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.

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.

How to reduce the risk of pneumonia?

These should include: Practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, to prevent the spread of infection. Quitting smoking and reduce exposure to environmental toxins.

How to prevent pneumonia?

Once you know about the different types of pneumonia and their causes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of pneumonia. These should include: 1 Practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, to prevent the spread of infection 2 Quitting smoking and reduce exposure to environmental toxins 3 Following nutritional guidelines to help keep your immune system healthy

What is the name of the condition that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with liquid?

For over 15 years, he's practiced at the Kansas University Medical Center, where he is also a professor. Pneumonia is a type of lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with liquid. There are different types of pneumonia. In most cases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

How long does walking pneumonia last?

However, the cough from walking pneumonia can last for a month or more . 3

What causes bacterial pneumonia?

The common causes of bacterial pneumonia include: 1. Streptococcus pneumoniae: This bacteria causes pneumococcal disease and is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila: This bacteria grows in man-made water systems including hot tubs, plumbing systems, and cooling towers. It leads to a serious type of pneumonia known as ...

How many people die from pneumonia in the US?

Pneumonia is a common health condition, but one that can be very serious. It is a leading cause of hospitalization and death among U.S. adults, with 1.3 million Americans diagnosed with pneumonia in a hospital each year. 6

What is the name of the bacteria that causes walking pneumonia?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae: This type of bacteria is common in crowded living spaces like dorms and prisons. It leads to a mild infection often called walking pneumonia. Chlamydia pneumoniae: This type of bacteria usually causes mild pneumonia, most often in people more than 40 years old.

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Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

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.

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.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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 seriousness fro…
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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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