What Are the Lungs?
The lungs are a pair of organs in the chest which are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. There are many conditions that can impact the health of your lungs; Asthma, COPD, Tuberculosis, Bronchitis, Pleurisy and Pneumonia.
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- Who Is At Risk for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?
- How Is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Treated?
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- What Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases?
- What Causes Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases?
- How Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases Diagnosed?
- How Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases Treated?
- What Is COPD?
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD?
- How Is COPD Treated?
- How Can COPD Be Prevented?
- What Is Pneumonia?
- What Causes Pneumonia?
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia?
- How Is Pneumonia Treated?
- What Is Pulmonary Hypertension?
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?
- How Is Pulmonary Hypertension Treated?
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How Is Pneumonia Treated?
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have and how severe it is. Most people who have community-acquired pneumonia - the most common type of pneumonia - are treated at home.
The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and prevent complications.
General Treatment
It’s important to follow your treatment plan, take all medicines as prescribed, and get ongoing medical care. Talk to your doctor about when you should schedule followup care. Your doctor may want you to have a chest x ray to make sure the pneumonia is gone.
Although you may start feeling better after a few days or weeks, fatigue can persist for up to a month or more. People who are treated in the hospital may need at least 3 weeks before they can go back to their normal routines.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. You should take antibiotics as your doctor prescribes. You may start to feel better before you finish the medicine, but you should continue taking it as prescribed. If you stop too soon, the pneumonia may come back.
Most people begin to improve after 1 to 3 days of antibiotic treatment. This means that they should feel better and have fewer symptoms, such as cough and fever.
Viral Pneumonia
Viral pneumonia isn’t treated with antibiotics. This type of medicine doesn’t work when a virus causes the pneumonia. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat it.
Viral pneumonia usually improves in 1 to 3 weeks.
Treating Severe Symptoms
You may need to be treated in a hospital if:
- - Your symptoms are severe
- - You’re at risk for complications because of other health problems.
If the level of oxygen in your bloodstream is low, you may receive oxygen. If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor may give you antibiotics through an intravenous (IV) line inserted into a vein.
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How Can Pneumonia Be Prevented?
Pneumonia can be very serious and even life threatening. When possible, take steps to prevent the infection, especially if you’re in a high-risk group.
Vaccines
Vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and the flu. Vaccines can’t prevent all cases of infection. However, compared to people who don’t get vaccinated, those who do and still get pneumonia tend to have:
- - Milder cases of the infection
- - Pneumonia that doesn’t last as long
- - Fewer serious complications
Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine
A vaccine is available to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia. In most people, one shot is good for at least 5 years of protection. This vaccine is often recommended for:
- - People who are 65 years or older.
- - People who have chronic diseases, serious long-term health problems, or weak immune systems. Examples include people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, or damaged or removed spleens.
- - Alaska Natives and certain American Indian populations.
- - Children who are 2 years or younger, and children between the ages of 2 and 5 who have a chronic diseaseor are Alaska Natives, American Indians, or African Americans. The vaccine also is recommended for children between the ages of 2 and 5 who attend group daycare programs.
Influenza Vaccine
The vaccine that helps prevent the flu is good for 1 year. It’s usually given in October or November, before peak flu season.
Because many people get pneumonia after having the flu, this vaccine also helps prevent pneumonia.
Hib Vaccine
Haemophilus influenzae type b is a type of bacteria that can cause pneumonia and meningitis. The Hib vaccine is given to children to help prevent these infections.
The vaccine is recommended for all children who are younger than 5 years. It’s often given to infants starting at 2 months of age.
Other Ways To Help Prevent Pneumonia
Other steps also can help prevent pneumonia:
- - Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rubs to kill germs.
- - Don’t smoke. Smoking damages your lungs’ ability to filter out and defend against germs.
- - Keep your immune system strong. Get plenty of rest and physical activity and follow a healthy diet.
If you have pneumonia, limit contact with family and friends. Cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, and dispose of tissues right away. These measures help keep the infection from spreading.
Living With Pneumonia
If you have pneumonia, you can take steps to recover from the infection and prevent complications.
- - Get plenty of rest.
- - Follow the treatment plan your doctor gives you.
- - Take all medicines as your doctor prescribes. If you’re using antibiotics, continue to take the medicine until it’s all gone. You may start to feel better before you finish the medicine, but you should continue to take it. If you stop too soon, the pneumonia may come back.
- - Talk to your doctor about when to schedule followup care. Your doctor may order a chest x ray to make sure the infection is gone.
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. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. Talk to your doctor about when you can go back to your normal activities.