Treatment of Pneumonia

About the disease

Pneumonia is a lung infection that develops from viruses or bacteria and takes around 2 to 3 weeks to resolve. In most cases, pneumonia can be treated at home, but can require hospitalization for older people, babies or people with other health problems.

Usually appearing as a secondary condition after a cold or flu infection, pneumonia is contracted when germs are inhaled into the body. The air sacs in the lungs, also known as alveoli, become inflamed, making breathing difficult. Lungs become filled with fluid and sometimes pus.

In mild cases of pneumonia, the sufferer may not even have a fever. This is known as “walking pneumonia” and it is more common in adults. In severe cases, which are more common in the elderly, sufferers may experience chills and delirium. Signs that the pneumonia has reached a very dangerous stage, requiring emergency hospitalization include blue skin (due to a lack of oxygen) and coughing up blood.

Bacterial pneumonia is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Viral pneumonia is caused by various respiratory infections and usually develops after a cold or flu infection. Viral pneumonia is more common in the elderly and children. Pneumonia can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, since it can also harm the fetus. 

Symptoms

• Cough, often producing mucus (or blood in severe cases)
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Nausea
• Chills
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Confusion, in severe cases

Diagnosis

• During a general examination, the doctor will listen to the patient’s chest using a stethoscope. In pneumonia, there is usually a crackling sound in the chest. Wheezing can also be present.
• The doctor will ask the patient if they have noticed blood in the sputum and will also measure their temperature, to check for a fever.
• A blood test can determine whether or not someone has pneumonia and, if so, what type of pneumonia it is.
• A chest X-ray can determine whether there is any fluid or pus in the lungs.
• A sputum test can determine the exact type of pneumonia and can be used with or instead of a blood test.
• A bronchoscopy is sometimes required if the airways are blocked and need to be checked.

Treatment

• Conservative treatment is sufficient in most cases, if the cause of pneumonia was bacteria.
• Antiviral drugs are prescribed to treat viral pneumonia.
• In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce the fever.
• The patient is advised to drink plenty of water and to take additional drugs to assuage the cough and soothe the sore throat.

Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko