Pneumonia

Questions to ask your doctor
If you've been diagnosed with pneumonia, you may want to ask your doctor some questions to find out more about the problem and how to deal with it.
Here are some suggestions:
- Can my family and friends catch pneumonia from me?
- Will I need to go into the hospital?
- What should I be eating and drinking?
- When can I go out or go back to work?
- How long will my coughing last?
- How long will it be before I feel like my usual self?
- What can I do to keep from getting pneumonia again?
- Should I be vaccinated?
- Should I have a chest
X-ray
X-rays are pictures taken of the inside of your body. They are done by passing very small amounts of radiation through your body and onto film. X-rays can also be used as a treatment, such as in radiation therapy for cancer.X-ray to see if the pneumonia has gone away? When should I have this X-ray? - How will I know if I am getting worse? If I do get worse, how will I know when to come back to see you or go to the emergency room?
- Is there any particular reason why I got pneumonia? Is my
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.immune system working properly?
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.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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