Medication
Pneumonia-like symptoms in very young children or in adults older than 65 are a cause for concern. Also, pneumonia can cause permanent lung damage if left untreated for too long. And always seek immediate care if you experience chest pain or have breathing difficulties.
Therapy
Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication.
Self-care
Recovering from Pneumonia It may take time 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.
Nutrition
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help loosen mucus in your lungs. Take your medicine as prescribed. Take the entire course of any medications your doctor prescribed for you. If you stop taking medication too soon, your lungs may continue to harbor bacteria that can multiply and cause your pneumonia to recur.
When to seek immediate care for pneumonia symptoms?
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?
What to do if you have pneumonia and Can't Breathe?
How do you know if you need to be hospitalized for pneumonia?
Your cough is worse or you cough up blood or rust-colored mucus. Your breathing is more difficult — for example it's faster, more shallow, or more painful than before. You become lightheaded or very weak. You develop a fever higher than 102° F or you have shaking chills.
What are the danger signs of pneumonia?
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: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...
What happens if you don't treat pneumonia right away?
If your pneumonia isn't treated, the pleura can get swollen, creating a sharp pain when you breathe in. If you don't treat the swelling, the area between the pleura may fill with fluid, which is called a pleural effusion. If the fluid gets infected, it leads to a problem called empyema.
Should I go to urgent care or ER for pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that is typically treated in an urgent care or emergency room. Since pneumonia can progress quickly, it's important to call your primary care physician if you develop sudden chest pain, shortness of breath or fever, even if you feel better after coughing.
What are the 4 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.
Does pneumonia get worse at night?
Non-bacterial or “walking pneumonia” Dry cough that's persistent and typically gets worse at night. Low-grade fever.
What are symptoms of walking pneumonia?
Symptoms of walking pneumonia include:Sore throat (pharyngitis)Feeling tired (fatigue)Chest pain.Mild chills.Low-grade fever.Persistent cough that can be dry or produce mucus.Sneezing.Headache.
What helps pneumonia heal faster?
Lifestyle tips for feeling better during pneumoniaDrink at least 8 cups of water or liquid per day. Liquids help to thin mucous and keep your fever down.Get enough rest. Your body needs extra time to recuperate and heal properly. ... Follow a healthy diet plan that includes all food groups.
What does a pneumonia cough sound like?
Rhonchi sounds have a continuous snoring, gurgling, or rattle-like quality. Rhonchi occur in the bronchi as air moves through tracheal-bronchial passages coated with mucus or respiratory secretions. This is often heard in pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis. Rhonchi usually clear after coughing.
When is pneumonia an emergency?
See your doctor to rule out pneumonia if shortness of breath, cough, or chest congestion also develop. Seek emergency care at a Dignity Health ER or urgent care clinic for the following symptoms: Bluish color of the lips or fingernails. Confusion or lethargy.
Will pneumonia go away on its own?
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.
Can pneumonia be treated at home?
People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication. 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.
What is the best way to diagnose pneumonia?
A clinical evaluation is necessary to diagnose pneumonia. The process may include taking your temperature, listening to your lungs with a stethoscope, analyzing your sputum and performing a chest X-ray, blood test and CT scan.
How to tell if you have pneumonia?
In addition to that lousy overall feeling, common symptoms of pneumonia include: 1 Fever 2 Chest pain 3 Productive cough with green, yellow, gray or rusty-colored sputum 4 Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing 5 Confusion among elderly people 6 Lethargy 7 Low oxygen levels, often resulting in blue lips and fingers
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.
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 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.
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.
What kind of doctor do you see for lung cancer?
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).
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.
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.
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 .
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 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.
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.
How long does it take for a person to recover from pneumonia?
Pneumonia is serious and may require hospitalization. In most cases, it takes about six months before you feel fully recovered. After your initial diagnosis, it’s important to pace yourself and allow your body time to heal. Eating well and getting plenty of rest are key.
How long does chest pain last with pneumonia?
Some chest pain or ache is expected with pneumonia. With treatment, chest pain typically subsides within four weeks.
How long does it take for a cough to develop?
You may develop a cough at the onset of your pneumonia. It may come on within the first 24 hours, or it may develop over the course of a few days.
What is the best medicine for fever?
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil), can help to reduce your fever and alleviate pain. If you can, take any pain relievers with food or on a full stomach. This helps reduce your risk of side effects, such as nausea.
Can home remedies help with pneumonia?
Home remedies can’t treat pneumonia, but they can be used to effectively manage its symptoms. They aren’t a replacement for your doctor-approved treatment plan, though. You should continue to follow your doctor’s recommendations while using these complementary therapies. Read on to learn how you can use home remedies to relieve your cough, ...
Can pneumonia cause shortness of breath?
If you’re short of breath. With pneumonia, your breathing may suddenly become rapid and shallow, or this could develop gradually over the course of a few days. You may even experience breathlessness while you’re resting. Your doctor may have prescribed medication or inhalers to help.
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