Pneumonia is an infection that develops in the air sacs inside the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi starting to multiply. This disease is more dangerous for children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. If you think you have pneumonia, you should see your doctor right away for a check-up; it is a pathology that, in general, can be treated effectively.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Recognize the Symptoms
Step 1. Identify the symptoms of pneumonia
If you are concerned that you have this infection, it is important to treat it right away, before it becomes more serious. Symptoms can gradually worsen over several days or come on suddenly and be very severe right away. Among the symptoms of pneumonia are:
- Fever.
- Sweating and chills.
- Discomfort in the chest area when you cough or breathe, especially during deep breathing.
- Fast, shallow breathing (this symptom occurs only when you are exercising).
- Sense of exhaustion.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (these symptoms are particularly common in children).
- Cough during which you may also expel some yellow, green, rusty or pink and bloody mucus.
- Headache.
- Lack of appetite.
- White fingernails.
- Sense of confusion, especially among older people.
- Body temperature lower than normal (this symptom occurs especially among older people with a weak immune system).
- Pain in the joints, ribs, upper abdominal area or back.
- Rapid heartbeat.
Step 2. See your doctor if you think you have pneumonia
Anyone who is afraid of having this infection should be examined immediately, as it is a disease that can be fatal if not treated properly. You are at particular risk of developing a serious infection if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Children under 2 years of age.
- People over 65.
- Those suffering from other conditions such as HIV / AIDS, heart or lung problems.
- People undergoing chemotherapy.
- Those who take drugs that suppress the immune system.
Step 3. Describe your symptoms to your doctor
This will help them understand how long you have been sick and how severe the infection is. In addition, he will also want to know:
- If you feel out of breath or breathe rapidly even when you are at rest.
- How long have you been coughing and whether it has gotten worse.
- If you cough up yellowish, green or pink mucus.
- If you experience chest pain when inhaling or exhaling.
Step 4. Let your doctor hear your lungs
He will ask you to take off your shirt and use a stethoscope to check your lungs. It is not a painful procedure; the doctor will ask you to take deep breaths while listening for breathing sounds on both your chest and back.
- If you hear crackles or pops, it means there is an infection.
- The doctor may also tap the chest during the procedure to see if the lungs are full of fluid.
Step 5. Undergo other tests if your doctor feels it is necessary
There are several tests that can be performed to determine if you have a lung infection and its cause. Among these are:
- A lung x-ray. This test allows the doctor to visualize the presence of an infection and, if so, on which side it has developed and how far it has spread. This examination is also not painful; it is a simple "photograph" of the lungs. Sometimes it is advised to wear lead protection so as not to expose the reproductive organs to X-rays. If you think you are pregnant you must tell your doctor, as this test can be dangerous for the fetus.
- Taking a blood or sputum sample. During this test, your doctor will draw blood or ask you to spit phlegm into a vial. the material will then be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed and to establish exactly which pathogen is responsible for the infection.
- If you are already in hospital and / or your health is severely compromised, you will need to undergo other tests. These could include a blood gas analysis to determine if the lungs are supplying the blood with an adequate amount of oxygen, a CT scan (if you are in the emergency room) or a thoracentesis, which consists of a highly qualified specialist taking a small amount of fluid through the use of a needle that passes through the skin and muscles of the chest; the sample will then be analyzed in the laboratory.
Method 2 of 2: Treating Pneumonia
Step 1. Take antibiotics
It takes a few days for you to get test results and figure out which antibiotic is most effective for your specific situation. In the meantime, you will be prescribed a broad spectrum drug to start the treatment. Sometimes tests may reveal that there is no pathogen, that the sputum sample is inadequate, or that there is no septicemia (blood culture gives negative results). Once the type of treatment is established, symptoms should begin to improve within a few days or weeks. You may feel fatigued for over a month.
- Most people can be treated at home with antibiotics. If your symptoms do not subside after two days or start to worsen, contact your doctor right away, as a different type of medication will likely be needed.
- You may continue to cough for 2-3 weeks after finishing the antibiotic treatment. If this happens, go to the doctor.
- Be aware that antibiotics are not effective against viral pneumonia. In this case it will be the immune system that will have to fight the infection.
Step 2. Drink lots of water
If you have a high fever, sweats, and chills, you are probably losing a lot of fluids. It is important to stay well hydrated for the body to fight the infection. If you suffer from severe dehydration, you will need to go to the hospital. If you feel thirsty or have any of the following symptoms, you need to drink more water:
Fatigue, headache, rare urination, dark or cloudy urine
Step 3. Get your fever under control
If your doctor agrees, you can reduce it by taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Brufen) or acetaminophen (Tachipirina and others).
- Do not take ibuprofen if you are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have asthma, have kidney problems or stomach ulcers.
- Do not give medications that contain acetylsalicylic acid to young children or adolescent boys.
- Check with your doctor before taking these medications to make sure they do not interact with any other over-the-counter or prescription medicines, herbal remedies, or supplements you are already taking.
- Do not take these medications if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or need to treat a baby without first talking to your doctor.
Step 4. Ask your doctor about antitussive medications (cough suppressants)
He may recommend these medicines if your cough prevents you from sleeping. However, keep in mind that coughing can be helpful, as it removes mucus from the lungs and can be important for better healing and recovery. For this reason, your doctor may also advise you against such medicines.
- A cup of hot water with lemon and honey is a natural alternative to these medications; helps relieve pain caused by coughing.
- If you are taking cough medicines as well as over-the-counter medications, read the ingredients, active ingredients and make sure they are not the same as those in other medicines you are taking. If so, tell your doctor so you can avoid the risk of accidental overdose.
Step 5. Get bronchoscopy if you have aspiration pneumonia
This type of inflammation occurs when a person chokes and accidentally inhales a small object in their lungs. If this occurs, the foreign body must be extracted.
The doctor will insert a small endoscope into the nose or mouth to reach the lungs and remove the object. You will likely receive anesthesia to numb your nose, mouth, and airways. In some cases, general anesthesia is also performed or medications are given to help the patient relax. By removing the foreign element, you can recover from the infection
Step 6. Go to the hospital if home treatments don't help
If you can't fight the infection at home and your symptoms get worse, you'll be hospitalized for more intensive care. You will need to stay in the hospital until you recover if:
- You are over 65.
- You are in a daze.
- You vomit and can't keep the medications in your stomach.
- You breathe too quickly and need to be hooked up to an artificial ventilation machine.
- The temperature is lower than normal.
- The heartbeat is too fast (over 100 beats) or exaggeratedly slow (under 50).
Step 7. If the patient is a child, take him to the hospital in case he does not improve
Infants and children under 2 years of age are more likely to need hospitalization. Some of the serious symptoms that indicate the need for urgent care even after starting drug therapy are:
- Difficulty staying awake.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Insufficient oxygen in the blood.
- Dehydration.
- Low body temperature.
