Pneumonia: Treatment

Overview

Pneumonia is a common infection of the lungs. It can be serious, and it can cause you to be hospitalized. The options used to treat you will depend on your age, your overall health and the severity of your infection.

Initial Treatment

Initially, pneumonia is treated with rest and with medications. You may be given antibiotics, antiviral medications, cough medicine or fever reducers. All of these can help ease your symptoms. Take the entire course of your prescription medications.

Hospitalization

A severe case of pneumonia may require hospitalization. This is especially true for people who are very young or very old. It is also true for people who are in poor overall health. You may need to be hospitalized if you experience confusion, nausea, vomiting or a drop in blood pressure. You may need to be hospitalized if you have breathing difficulty, or if your temperature drops. Young children may need to be hospitalized if they show these signs, or if they have increased sleepiness, a low blood oxygen level or dehydration.

Recovery

If you are hospitalized for pneumonia, you may be in the hospital for one to four days. You may be given IVs, medications and breathing assistance. And when you are released, you will continue to recover for days or weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions to help speed your recovery time.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.