About this topic
Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs. It is most often caused by bacteria and viruses. You may develop a fever, cough, have trouble breathing, feel weak, or have chest pain. Pneumonia can cause you to need help breathing with a machine called a ventilator. In some cases it can even cause death. ‚
If you get this infection when you are in the hospital, it is call hospital-acquired pneumonia. If this happens when you have not been in a hospital or healthcare facility, it is called community-acquired pneumonia. If you have mild signs, you may not feel sick at all. You are still able to walk around and do your daily activities. You may also hear this called walking pneumonia. Some people may have more severe signs. Your doctor will treat your signs. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take any drugs your doctor has ordered for you to treat your pneumonia. Do not skip doses.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Take deep breaths 2 to 3 times every hour to help expand your lungs.
- Get lots of rest at home.
- If you are smoking, stop. Stay away from places with smoke.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat infection
- Loosen secretions
- Lower fever
- Control coughing
- Help with swelling in your the airways and lungs
You may be given other drugs based on your condition. These may include inhalers and steroids. Your doctor will talk with you about the drugs you may need to take. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
- Get enough rest while recovering from your illness.
- Talk with your doctor about when you can return to your normal activities.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Always cover your cough with the inside of your arm.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick. Ask visitors who have colds to wear a mask.
- If you have a cold, stay home from work or school. Wear a mask to help from spreading the infection.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Get a flu shot each year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot or any other vaccines.
- Do not smoke or be around smoke.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum
- Pass out or feel like you are going to pass out
- Problems thinking clearly
- Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath when at rest
- Cough does not get better with your drugs
- Coughing up blood
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what I can do to help avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more trouble breathing, feel short of breath at rest, or my cough does not get better.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/pneumonia/understanding-pneumonia.html ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/pneumonia-pneumonie/index_e.php ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/pneumonia.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚