The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 2 million Americans are hospitalized yearly due to pneumonia. Pneumonia is the number one cause of death among children under five and adults over 65. And according to the CDC, roughly 19,000 deaths yearly are attributed to pneumonia.
To help prevent pneumonia, seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and confusion. If you suspect you have been exposed to someone with pneumonia, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and wear a mask or covering while around others.
If you do develop pneumonia, rest up and follow the doctor’s instructions. A primary care physician or family medicine specialist can prescribe antibiotics to fight off the bacteria. Antibiotics can take several days to work, so don’t wait too long to see how you’re doing. If you continue to feel worse, call 911 immediately.
Pneumonia may be harder to diagnose for asthma, COPD, or heart disease patients because these conditions can make breathing difficult. To determine whether you might have pneumonia, ask your healthcare provider about your recent history of colds, flu viruses, allergies, chronic diseases like diabetes or HIV/AIDS, and medications you’ve recently taken. Your provider may also perform physical examinations, blood tests, and X-rays to rule out other possible causes.
If you're experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, when should you seek urgent care?
A cough, fever, and shortness of breath could mean one thing – pneumonia. But what exactly is pneumonia, and when does it require immediate attention?
Waiting it out and doing things yourself may be appropriate in certain circumstances. However, it is best to seek immediate medical attention in other cases. Knowing when you need to see a doctor can help determine if something is wrong and needs immediate attention.
To diagnose a patient with a respiratory tract illness, physicians often perform imaging studies such as x‑ray or computed tomography (CT) scans, followed by laboratory testing. These tests help determine whether the patient needs hospitalization, which antibiotic(s) might be effective against the bacteria causing the disease, and how fast they need to start taking antibiotics.
Pneumonia is a serious respiratory illness caused by bacteria or viruses that infect the lining of the lungs. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fever. If left untreated, pneumonia can cause permanent scarring in the lungs.
If you think you’re having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately. You’ll likely be sent to the nearest hospital emergency department. In most cases, however, you don’t need to rush to the ER. Instead, head straight to urgent care.
What Causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia can occur when bacteria enter the lower respiratory tract, infecting the lung tissue’s alveoli and small air sacs. This type of pneumonia is called bacterial pneumonia.
Viruses are another cause of pneumonia. A virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels down into the throat. It attaches itself to cells lining the throat and nasal passages and replicates. When enough viruses are present, they damage the cells and cause swelling.
Other causes include:
- Acute bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Lung cancer
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Other lung diseases
Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia are often similar to those of colds and flu. However, there are some key differences you should know about when detecting pneumonia.
You may experience one or more signs and symptoms of pneumonia, including:
A cough that lasts longer than three weeks
- Fever
- Fatigue
- General body aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Headaches
While most people recover from pneumonia within seven to 10 days, it can cause serious complications such as chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and even death. If you suspect you have pneumonia, seek medical attention immediately.
Is Pneumonia Contagious?
If you catch bacterial or viral pneumonia, you could spread it to others. Viral pneumonia doesn’t cause symptoms like those associated with bacterial pneumonia, but it is still contagious. A person infected with influenza can transmit the virus to people around him or her. Influenza viruses can live outside the body for up to 48 hours, making it easy for one person to pass the infection to another.
Fungus infections don’t usually spread among humans, but some cause pneumonia. A fungal infection called histoplasmosis can infect the lungs and lead to pneumonia. Histoplasma capsulatum is a mold found in soil and bird droppings. People often become infected by inhaling small particles of dust containing the spores. Once inside the body, the spores germinate and multiply. Some fungi grow slowly; others grow quickly. In general, the faster-growing ones tend to produce more severe diseases.
Getting the Pneumonia Vaccine
Pneumonia kills people of all ages, but children under two and elderly people are most likely to die if they contract the disease. It’s, therefore, especially important for everyone to be vaccinated against pneumonia. If pregnant, speak to your healthcare provider about whether you need the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Other people who could benefit from the vaccine include those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, cancer, or immunosuppression due to medications or diseases like leukemia or lymphoma; anyone living in a nursing home or long term care facility; and people working in healthcare settings, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, respiratory therapy technicians, and paramedics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children younger than two years old and adults 65 and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine. People with certain underlying health problems or immune system disorders might need additional protection against the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Talk to your healthcare professional if you think you need the vaccine.
Call your local public health department or primary care provider if you have questions about the vaccine.
Pneumonia Treatment
If you have mild pneumonia, there are several things you can do yourself at home without seeing a doctor. You might feel better within three days. Here’s what you need to know about treating pneumonia at home.
Reduce your fever with over-the-counter medications.
You can reduce your fever by drinking plenty of liquids. Try to keep your fluid intake high enough to prevent dehydration. But don’t drink too much; water doesn’t help lower fevers. Instead, drink clear liquids like broth, tea, juice, milk, or Gatorade. Avoid drinks with caffeine because they could make you jittery and increase your heart rate.
Drink warm beverages to open up congested airways.
Try to avoid cold drinks and foods. Cold drinks constrict your airways and cause mucus to plug up your nasal passages. Also, eating spicy food or hot peppers can irritate your throat and chest. Warm beverages such as soup, tea, coffee, and warm lemonade can help loosen phlegm and ease congestion.
Avoid smoking.
Smoking increases your risk of developing pneumonia. In addition, cigarette smoke contains bacteria that can infect your lungs. So, stop smoking if you want to recover faster.
How to Prevent Pneumonia
Prevention is always better than treatment. If you catch the flu early enough, some treatments can help ease symptoms and shorten the duration of your illness. But if you don’t treat your cold or fever soon enough, it could become something much worse — pneumonia.
To avoid getting sick, follow these tips:
- Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Flu season usually begins in October, although some people still get sick, even during winter.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Adults should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily; children up to age five should drink six 8-ounce glasses daily. This helps flush out mucus and keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes dehydrate the body and can cause coughing and wheezing.
- Keep your immune system strong. Eat well and exercise regularly to maintain good nutrition and boost energy levels.
- Practice safe hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands, and clean surfaces frequently.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, when should you seek urgent care?
A cough, fever, and shortness of breath could mean one thing – pneumonia. But what exactly is pneumonia, and when does it require immediate attention? Waiting it out and doing things yourself may be appropriate in certain circumstances. However, it is best to seek immediate medical attention in other cases. Knowing when you need to see a doctor can help determine if something is wrong and needs immediate attention. To diagnose a patient with a respiratory tract illness, physicians often perform imaging studies such as x‑ray or computed tomography (CT) scans, followed by laboratory testing. These tests help determine whether the patient needs hospitalization, which antibiotic(s) might be effective against the bacteria causing the disease, and how fast they need to start taking antibiotics. Pneumonia is a serious respiratory illness caused by bacteria or viruses that infect the lining of the lungs. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fever. If left untreated, pneumonia can cause permanent scarring in the lungs. If you think you’re having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately. You’ll likely be sent to the nearest hospital emergency department. In most cases, however, you don’t need to rush to the ER. Instead, head straight to urgent care.What Causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia can occur when bacteria enter the lower respiratory tract, infecting the lung tissue’s alveoli and small air sacs. This type of pneumonia is called bacterial pneumonia. Viruses are another cause of pneumonia. A virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels down into the throat. It attaches itself to cells lining the throat and nasal passages and replicates. When enough viruses are present, they damage the cells and cause swelling. Other causes include:- Acute bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Lung cancer
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Other lung diseases
Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia are often similar to those of colds and flu. However, there are some key differences you should know about when detecting pneumonia. You may experience one or more signs and symptoms of pneumonia, including: A cough that lasts longer than three weeks- Fever
- Fatigue
- General body aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Headaches
Is Pneumonia Contagious?
If you catch bacterial or viral pneumonia, you could spread it to others. Viral pneumonia doesn’t cause symptoms like those associated with bacterial pneumonia, but it is still contagious. A person infected with influenza can transmit the virus to people around him or her. Influenza viruses can live outside the body for up to 48 hours, making it easy for one person to pass the infection to another. Fungus infections don’t usually spread among humans, but some cause pneumonia. A fungal infection called histoplasmosis can infect the lungs and lead to pneumonia. Histoplasma capsulatum is a mold found in soil and bird droppings. People often become infected by inhaling small particles of dust containing the spores. Once inside the body, the spores germinate and multiply. Some fungi grow slowly; others grow quickly. In general, the faster-growing ones tend to produce more severe diseases.Getting the Pneumonia Vaccine
Pneumonia kills people of all ages, but children under two and elderly people are most likely to die if they contract the disease. It’s, therefore, especially important for everyone to be vaccinated against pneumonia. If pregnant, speak to your healthcare provider about whether you need the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Other people who could benefit from the vaccine include those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, cancer, or immunosuppression due to medications or diseases like leukemia or lymphoma; anyone living in a nursing home or long term care facility; and people working in healthcare settings, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, respiratory therapy technicians, and paramedics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children younger than two years old and adults 65 and older receive the pneumococcal vaccine. People with certain underlying health problems or immune system disorders might need additional protection against the bacteria that cause pneumonia. Talk to your healthcare professional if you think you need the vaccine. Call your local public health department or primary care provider if you have questions about the vaccine.Pneumonia Treatment
If you have mild pneumonia, there are several things you can do yourself at home without seeing a doctor. You might feel better within three days. Here’s what you need to know about treating pneumonia at home.Reduce your fever with over-the-counter medications.
You can reduce your fever by drinking plenty of liquids. Try to keep your fluid intake high enough to prevent dehydration. But don’t drink too much; water doesn’t help lower fevers. Instead, drink clear liquids like broth, tea, juice, milk, or Gatorade. Avoid drinks with caffeine because they could make you jittery and increase your heart rate.Drink warm beverages to open up congested airways.
Try to avoid cold drinks and foods. Cold drinks constrict your airways and cause mucus to plug up your nasal passages. Also, eating spicy food or hot peppers can irritate your throat and chest. Warm beverages such as soup, tea, coffee, and warm lemonade can help loosen phlegm and ease congestion.Avoid smoking.
Smoking increases your risk of developing pneumonia. In addition, cigarette smoke contains bacteria that can infect your lungs. So, stop smoking if you want to recover faster.How to Prevent Pneumonia
Prevention is always better than treatment. If you catch the flu early enough, some treatments can help ease symptoms and shorten the duration of your illness. But if you don’t treat your cold or fever soon enough, it could become something much worse — pneumonia. To avoid getting sick, follow these tips:- Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Flu season usually begins in October, although some people still get sick, even during winter.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Adults should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily; children up to age five should drink six 8-ounce glasses daily. This helps flush out mucus and keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcoholic beverages and cigarettes dehydrate the body and can cause coughing and wheezing.
- Keep your immune system strong. Eat well and exercise regularly to maintain good nutrition and boost energy levels.
- Practice safe hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, wash your hands, and clean surfaces frequently.
