Learn what a typical Pneumonia prognosis is at Consumer Reports Health.

Pneumonia

What will happen to me?

How sick you get with pneumonia and how quickly you recover from it depend on your age, your general health and the type of pneumonia that you have. Also, how quickly you get treated makes a big difference in how ill you will get.

It's especially important that older people and people in poor health start treatment with

antibiotics
These medications are used to help your immune system fight infection. There are a number of different types of antibiotics that work in different ways to get rid of bacteria, parasites and other infectious agents. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

antibiotics right away.

Source:
Meehan TP, Fine MJ, Krumholz HM, et al.
Quality of care, process, and outcomes in elderly patients with pneumonia.
Journal of the American Medical Association. 1997; 278: 2080-2084.

If you think you have pneumonia, talk with your doctor as soon as possible. If you do have pneumonia, your doctor will start treating it right away.

See What treatments work for pneumonia? to learn more.

If you have bacterial pneumonia (the most common type), there is a good chance that if you get started on antibiotics right away, the

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 will be killed and 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 will go away.

If your pneumonia is caused by a

viruses
Viruses are microbes (tiny organisms) that need the cells of humans or other animals to exist. They use the machinery of cells to reproduce. Then they spread to other cells in the body.

virus, antibiotics won't get rid of the infection. Antibiotics work only on bacteria, not on viruses. Most of the time, pneumonia that's caused by a virus will get better without treatment. But if it gets very bad, you may be given a drug that helps to kill viruses. If your doctor thinks that you have pneumonia because a flu virus has spread to your lungs, you may be given treatment that helps to kill the flu virus.

Pneumonia can be dangerous, especially if you are older and not in good health. If you think you have it, see your doctor right away.

How soon will I get better?

It's hard to say how long it will take for you to get better. If you're young and in good health, you'll probably get better sooner. If the pneumonia is caught early and the infection doesn't spread, you'll probably make a full recovery no matter how old you are.

Here is a typical timeline to recovery.

If you follow your doctor's advice and get treated right away, you should start to feel better in about three days to five days. Your fever should get better. It should also be easier for you to breathe. Your appetite should start coming back.
After five days to seven days you should be feeling much better. You should start to feel more energetic, but you probably won't feel like you are back to normal. By this time in your illness, you shouldn't have a fever. Your breathing and your appetite will have improved even more. Your cough should be getting better. You should be coughing less often, and the cough should hurt less, too.
It will take some time for you to feel as well as you did before you had pneumonia. If you are elderly or have another condition that affects your general health, it can take up to three months before you feel like you've made a complete recovery.

Source:
Capital Health Authority.
Pneumonia plan: instructions for patients.

²
If you have another illness or your defenses against infection are lower for some other reason, then you are more likely to get complications. This means that your recovery will take longer. You are also more likely to need to go into the hospital.
If you are over the age of 50 or a smoker, you should ask your doctor if you need a follow-up

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 make sure that all the infection is gone from your lungs.

Keep an eye on how you're doing

If you notice that you aren't improving, speak to your doctor. This is especially important if:

Source:
Capital Health Authority.
Pneumonia plan: instructions for patients.

You still have a high temperature (a fever) after three days to five days
It's getting harder to breathe, not easier
You are coughing up blood
Your cough is not getting better after five days to seven days.

If you have pneumonia, it is important to look after yourself, rest and make sure you make a full recovery. This will help you avoid getting complications. To learn more about looking after yourself, see How can I take care of myself?

Going into the hospital

You'll probably be able to stay at home while you're getting better. But your doctor may decide that you need to be cared for in the hospital. This may be because you have a bad case of pneumonia or because you have developed complications. You may be having a hard time breathing. Or you may not be drinking enough fluids.

You may also need to be cared for in the hospital if you are older or are not in good health. Or it may be that you live alone and do not have anyone nearby who can take care of you.

Source:
Mandell LA, Marrie TJ, Grossman RF, et al.
Canadian guidelines for the initial management of community-acquired pneumonia: an evidence-based update by the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.
Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 383-421.

In the hospital, you will probably be given fluids through a vein in your arm. This is called giving you intravenous (IV) fluids. This will keep you from getting dehydrated (where you don't have enough fluids in your body) if you are feeling too sick to drink enough. You'll also have your temperature and breathing checked regularly.

Complications

If you have a severe case of pneumonia, you may get complications. Some of these can be dangerous. You are more likely to have complications if you are older or in poor health already. For more information, see Complications of pneumonia.

Sources for the information on this page:

Meehan TP, Fine MJ, Krumholz HM, et al.Quality of care, process, and outcomes in elderly patients with pneumonia.Journal of the American Medical Association. 1997; 278: 2080-2084.

Capital Health Authority.Pneumonia plan: instructions for patients.

Mandell LA, Marrie TJ, Grossman RF, et al.Canadian guidelines for the initial management of community-acquired pneumonia: an evidence-based update by the Canadian Infectious Diseases Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society.Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2000; 31: 383-421.

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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