Read up on Pneumonia treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Pneumonia

Key points about treatments

Pneumonia can be dangerous. The sooner you are treated, the better.

The main aim of treating pneumonia is to get rid of the

infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.

infection in your lungs as quickly as possible. This should make you feel better and should keep you from getting complications.

Key points about treating pneumonia

Antibiotics (drugs that kill germs called

bacteria
Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.

bacteria) are the main treatment for pneumonia. Treatment with antibiotics either cures pneumonia or improves the symptoms in 9 in 10 people.
The sooner you get antibiotics the better. If you are older, getting antibiotic treatment early reduces your chances of dying from pneumonia.
Unless you're very sick, taking antibiotics as pills works just as well as getting antibiotics in an IV (called an

intravenous infusion
When a medicine or a fluid, such as blood, is fed directly into a vein, it's called an intravenous infusion (or IV). To give you an intravenous infusion, a nurse, technician or a doctor places a narrow plastic tube into a vein (usually in your arm) using a needle. The needle is then removed and the fluid is infused (or dripped) through the tube into the vein.

intravenous infusion).
If you're being treated for pneumonia in the hospital, sitting up in bed or moving around and doing some breathing exercises can help you go home sooner.
A vaccine may help protect you against the most common form of pneumonia. If you are older or in poor health, the vaccine may not protect you as much, but it's still worth getting. The flu vaccine can also help keep you from getting pneumonia.

This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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