ng problems, assess blockages, and take out samples of tissue and/or fluid for testing,
- Pleural fluid culture. In this test, a sample of a fluid sample taken from the pleural space (space between the lungs and chest wall). A long, thin needle is put through the skin between the ribs and into the pleural space. Fluid is pulled into a syringe attached to the needle and sent to the lab where it’s tested to find out which bacteria is causing the pneumonia.
How is pneumonia treated?
Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Most of the time pneumonia is treated at home, but severe cases may be treated in the hospital. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. There is no good treatment for viral pneumonia. It usually gets better on its own.
Other treatment may include eating well, increasing fluid intake, getting rest, oxygen therapy, pain medication, fever control, and maybe cough-relief medication if cough is severe.
What are the complications of pneumonia?
Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can be very serious and even deadly.
You are more likely to have complications if you are an older adult, a very young child, have a weakened immune system, or have a serious medical problem like diabetes or cirrhosis. Complications may include:
- Respiratory failure. This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This is a severe form of respiratory failure.
- Sepsis, in which the infection gets into the blood. This may lead to organ failure.
- Lung abscesses. These are pockets of pus that form inside or around the lung. They may need to be drained with surgery
Key points about pneumonia
- Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or airborne irritants.
- There are more than 30 different causes of pneumonia, and they’re grouped by the cause. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia.
- A productive cough (producing green, yellow, or bloody mucus) is the most common symptom of pneumonia. Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness.
- Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough history and physical exam. Tests used to look at the lungs, blood tests, and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used.
- Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have. Antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia, and may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. There is no good treatment for viral pneumonia, which usually gets better on its own. Other treatment may include a healthy diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, cough, and fever control.
- Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can cause serious lung and infection problems and can even be deadly.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider:
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
- At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you.
- If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
- Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kim, RN, MSN, AOCNS
Online Medical Reviewer:
Ziegler, Olivia Walton, MS, PA-C
Date Last Reviewed:
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