Pneumonia Treatment

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung resulting from a cold or upper respiratory infection.  The passages that carry air into your lungs get inflamed and filled with fluid, making it hard to breathe.  This infection may be caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungus.  Bacterial pneumonia is contracted simply from breathing infected air particles from the mouth, throat or nose into the lungs.  Exposure may occur at school or work (called community acquired pneumonia), in a hospital (healthcare acquired pneumonia), or by breathing contaminant particles into your lungs, perhaps from vomiting or exposure to hazardous materials.  Each type of pneumonia is treated differently.

Symptoms

• Cough with fever, breathing difficulty
• Mucus that appears rusty or green, maybe bloody
• Fever with chills
• Rapid heartbeat, breathing with shortness of breath or chest pains
• Fatigue, weakness, confusion
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Who is at risk?

Anyone with a cold or prolonged illness can easily contract pneumonia.  Healthy persons may also be exposed to it simply through normal daily activities.  Anyone with an impaired immune system is at greater risk of contracting pneumonia.  Persons who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at risk of developing pneumonia due to the aspiration of food, vomit or other particles from the mouth or nose into the lungs.

Treatment

In addition to performing a physical exam, your doctor might order a chest x-ray and blood tests to help diagnose pneumonia or to determine its severity.  Bacterial pneumonia will be treated with antibiotics, but typical pneumonia symptoms are treated with rest, sleep and liquids for up to three weeks.  Other medications may be useful for treating the symptoms associated with pneumonia, such as cough, fever and/or wheezing.

Emergency Warning Signs: When should I see a doctor?

Seek treatment right away if mucus coughed up from your lungs runs yellow or green for more than two days, especially with a fever over 101°F.  Severe breathing difficulty should be seen in the hospital ED right away.

Treatment for Pneumonia is available now at Newport Urgent Care in Newport Beach, CA.

For more information on pneumonia, see the following websites:

Healthline Overview of Pneumonia

Mayo Clinic Definition of Pneumonia

Family Doctor.org on Pneumonia Prevention

CDC Guidelines for Pneumonia Prevention

Disclaimer: The links above are to sites independent of NewportUrgentCare.com.  The pages will open in a new browser window.  The information provided is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your doctor.  Always follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding your specific medical questions, treatments, therapies, and other needs.