Your doctor may also test mucus
from your lungs to find out if bacteria are causing your pneumonia. Finding out
what is causing your pneumonia can help your doctor choose the best treatment
for you.
How is it treated?
If pneumonia is caused by
bacteria, your doctor will give you antibiotics. These almost always cure
pneumonia caused by bacteria. Be sure to take the antibiotics exactly as instructed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
Pneumonia can make you feel very sick. But
after you take antibiotics, you should start to feel much better. Call your
doctor if you do not start to feel better after 2 to 3 days of antibiotics.
Call your doctor right away if you feel worse.
There are things
you can do to feel better during your treatment. Get plenty of rest and sleep,
and drink lots of liquids. Do not smoke. If your cough keeps you awake at
night, talk to your doctor about using cough medicine.
You may
need to go to the hospital if you have bad symptoms, a weak
, or another serious illness.
Pneumonia caused by a virus usually is not treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes, antibiotics may be used to prevent complications. But home
treatment, such as rest and taking care of your cough, usually is all that is
done.
How can you prevent pneumonia?
If you are 65 or older, you smoke, or you have a heart or lung problem, you may want to get a
pneumococcal vaccine. It may not keep you from getting pneumonia. But if you do
get pneumonia, you probably won't be as sick.
You can also
lower your chances of getting pneumonia by staying away from people who have
the flu, colds, measles, or chickenpox. You may get pneumonia after you have
one of these illnesses.
Wash your hands often. This helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria
that may cause pneumonia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about pneumonia: | |
Being diagnosed: | |
Getting treatment: | |
Living with pneumonia: | |