Treatments for pneumonia

Based on the severity of the symptoms and on the form of pneumonia that affects the patient, the doctor may prescribe a various number of treatments.

Bacterial pneumonia is most commonly treated with antibiotics. The symptoms will be eliminated even before the treatment is over but it is important for the treatment to be finished because stopping it before term may determine the condition to relapse and also create antibiotic resistant bacteria strains.

Viral pneumonia can't be treated with antibiotics. Usually, these forms of pneumonia are treated the same as flu: resting and lots of fluids. Some forms however, are treated with antiviral medications. The recovery from a viral form of pneumonia will take longer than from a bacterial form.

Antibiotics are also used for treating mycoplasma pneumonias. The recovery period is up to six weeks in most severe cases and the fatigue may sometimes still manifest after the condition was cured.

Along the medications that are meant to eliminate the infections, doctors may also prescribe medications for alleviating the symptoms like aches, pain and coughing; that usually come with pneumonia. In the coughing matter, even it can be annoying; it is not recommended to suppress it completely because it helps clearing the lungs. The recommended doses of medicines for coughing are the lowest, which should help the patient rest for a while.

In the severe cases of pneumonia, the patient is hospitalized for a more adequate treatment with intravenous antibiotics and oxygen mask. However, the same result may be obtained with a home treatment consisting in oral antibiotics, especially if professional care can be obtained at home. Some cases require only a few days of hospital treatment and then home treatment until full recovery.

How to take care of yourself

Here are a few tips that can help a person recover faster and avoid complication of pneumonia:

• The patient should rest a lot, even after he or she feels better.
• Doctors recommend drinking many fluids, especially water. Those liquids will help loosen the mucus in the lungs and avoid dehydration.
• Complete the medication treatment. By stopping it before term, one may determine the condition to relapse and also create bacteria strains that are resistant to antibiotics.
• Continue consulting the doctor even after the treatment is finished because the infection may not be completely eradicated. A close monitoring is important.