Pneumonia is a respiratory disease caused by a lung infection. Common symptoms include fever, cough, difficulty in breathing and chest pain. Normally, it can be treated at home and usually heals within 3 weeks by taking antibiotics. However, there are several steps you can take to avoid getting pneumonia.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking Care of Your Health
Step 1. Keep your immune system fit
It is important to strengthen the immune system to prevent not only pneumonia but also many of the more common diseases and fatigue. For people with weak immune systems, children under the age of two, adults over sixty-five, and people with chronic diseases, the danger of contracting pneumonia is greater. So, be sure to take additional steps to keep your immune system healthy if you fall into one of these high-risk categories.
- Excessive sugar consumption, being overweight, stressful and lack of sleep can compromise the immune system, hindering its ability to fight infections.
- Eat healthy foods that contain lots of proteins and vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables.
- If you know you are deficient in certain vitamins, such as vitamin D that is largely obtained from UV exposure, take the right supplements to balance out what the body cannot produce on its own in sufficient quantities.
- Malfunctioning of the immune system can result from lack of physical activity and being overweight. If you don't have a healthy weight, your immune system may not be functioning at its best.
Step 2. Avoid being in contact with someone who is sick
Since you can get pneumonia more easily if you already have other illnesses, even if you have a common cold, by staying away from people and places where you risk coming into contact with many germs, you can avoid contracting it
Step 3. Wash your hands often
Since your hands touch a lot of objects and people every day, a great way to prevent pneumonia is to keep them clean.
Think about everything you touch on a daily basis and what parts of your body your hands come into contact with, including your eyes and mouth. Keep them clean to keep you healthy
Step 4. Stop smoking
One of the simplest, but also the most difficult, on a case-by-case basis ways to boost immunity and prevent pneumonia is to quit smoking.
Since pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs, smoking complicates prevention or even recovery from disease, as it makes these organs more susceptible to infection
Step 5. Lead a healthy life
Many doctors highly recommend it, because a healthy lifestyle can protect against many types of infections.
- A healthy lifestyle largely depends on what you do, but also on what you avoid doing. Basically it means avoiding harmful fats, too much alcohol and stressful situations.
- Fats found in foods and plant-based oils, such as omega-3s, are healthier than saturated fats in red meat and dairy products, such as butter.
Step 6. Get enough sleep
On average, an adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Make sure you get enough sleep.
- Sleep in the right position. The quality of your rest will be better if you sleep in a position that allows you to keep your neck and head straight. Also avoid sleeping on your stomach, otherwise you will be forced to tilt your head in an uncomfortable position.
- Dim the light and reduce noises an hour before bedtime. Give your body time to relax by not using any electronic devices. If you feel restless, try reading in bed.
- If you don't get enough sleep, it will also make it harder to fight infections.
Step 7. Know the symptoms of pneumonia
Once you know your enemy, you can take whatever steps are necessary to stop him from attacking you. Knowing what to look for will also make you more likely not to get pneumonia.
- Cough that contains strange mucolytic secretions, for example green or blood red
- Fever, low or high
- Chills
- Shortness of breath when walking up the stairs
- Confusion
- Sweating and clammy skin
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, lack of energy and fatigue
- Sharp pain in the chest
Part 2 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Find out if you have a serious illness
If you have a serious condition, such as cancer or HIV, talk to your doctor, as the risk of pneumonia may be higher due to the strong weakening of the immune system.
- Other factors can increase the risk of getting pneumonia, such as taking certain medications or a previous stroke.
- To avoid pneumonia, make sure you eat healthy foods and do a lot of sporting activity.
- Ask your doctor what you can do to prevent infection. He may give you specific recommendations that suit your needs.
Step 2. See your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms
However, it is best to try not to get a single
- If you are concerned about having any symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible to prevent the disease from getting worse.
- While you don't have to wait too long to go to the doctor if you have pneumonia, one of the ways to avoid getting it is to stay away from places frequented by sick people, such as hospitals or doctors' offices. So, it's best to check if your symptoms match those of pneumonia or if it's just a common cold.
Step 3. Get vaccinated
Children are normally given the pneumococcal vaccine which teaches the white blood cells to recognize the infection and fight it.
- While vaccines are neither a miracle remedy nor a means of definitive prevention, they do allow the body to know the threats it must defend against.
- Also, by getting vaccinated for diseases like measles or the flu, you can prevent these diseases from escalating into pneumonia.
Step 4. Schedule regular checkups
One of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent all kinds of diseases and ailments, including pneumonia, is to have regular medical examinations. It is easier to prevent than to start stopping something once it has already manifested.
While a checkup cannot accurately detect or prevent pneumonia, getting checked and tested for a variety of diseases or ailments, such as immunodeficiency, hypertension, asthma, and so on, will help prevent other diseases. which could lead to worsening of pneumonia
Part 3 of 3: Treating Pneumonia
Step 1. Drink lots of fluids
It is very important to keep well hydrated when you are sick.
- Avoid drinks containing sugars.
- Warm or room temperature water is more effective for staying hydrated. You can add a lemon to give it some flavor.
Step 2. Take acetaminophen
Tachipirin or aspirin reduces pain and fever, making you feel better.
Step 3. Rest abundantly
Sleep helps the body recover faster as not getting tired will allow it to gather its energy to eradicate the infection.
Step 4. Get a prescription
If you have pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic that will help you fight the infection within 2-3 days.
Your doctor will know which antibiotic is best for you, based on your age, other conditions and your medical history
Advice
- The infection can affect one or both lungs.
- Wash your hands often.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise.
- Make sure you are getting all the vitamins you need.
- Avoid places where the risk of getting sick is quite high, especially if you have all the symptoms of pneumonia.
