Pneumonia is a lower respiratory tract infection that affects the lung tissue. Lower respiratory tract infections are the number one cause of death from infectious diseases in the United States. Treatment of mild pneumonia requires outpatient treatment with antibiotics and rest. Meanwhile, in cases of moderate pneumonia, the patient must be hospitalized and use antibiotics intravenously. Patients with severe pneumonia have to be hospitalized and use antibiotics intravenously, also undergo intubation and use mechanical ventilation to help breathe. Regardless of its severity, pneumonia is a very serious illness that must be treated quickly and thoroughly.
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Method 1 of 4: Cure Pneumonia
Step 1. Undergo treatment for mild cases
If you have mild pneumonia, you will be treated as an outpatient. However, if the patient with pneumonia is a child, he or she will be admitted to the hospital if doctors suspect that his condition may worsen. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you. The doctor will also recommend that you rest and increase your sleep time so that you get better soon. In even mild cases, you should not go to school or work until your doctor allows it. The period of complete recovery from pneumonia generally ranges from 7-10 days.
- Some types of pneumonia are highly contagious, while other types of pneumonia will only spread to other people under optimal conditions. When your doctor makes a diagnosis, ask the level of transmission of pneumonia you have, and how long you think you can transmit it.
- Your symptoms should begin to improve within 48 hours of treatment. This means that you should no longer have a fever and your body will generally be stronger.
- No special measures are required when cleaning objects used by people with pneumonia. The germs that cause pneumonia cannot live on inanimate objects for a long time, and can be cleaned by washing as usual.
Step 2. Treat cases of moderate pneumonia
Moderate pneumonia cases are accompanied by significant respiratory distress so that to maintain oxygen saturation of the sufferer, oxygen supplementation is needed. Patients with moderate pneumonia will also have a fever and appear weak in general. If your pneumonia appears like this, you may need to be hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics. The type of antibiotic that is given to you will not change, but only in the form of intravenous preparations so that they enter the body more quickly.
- The antibiotics you are taking will be switched to oral preparations once your fever has gone down and your body has responded better to therapy. Usually, it takes no more than 48 hours.
- The treatment after that is the same as in the case of mild pneumonia because the severity has changed from moderate to mild.
Step 3. Seek help in severe cases
Cases of severe pneumonia accompanied by respiratory failure. This condition requires intubation and the use of mechanical ventilation. In addition, patients suffering from it may also have to undergo hospitalization in the ICU.
- Just as in moderate cases, intravenous antibiotics are also required. In cases of severe pneumonia, vasopressor drugs (drugs to increase blood pressure) are also often needed to counter the effects of septic shock.
- While in the hospital, you will also need supportive care to improve your general health while the pneumonia medications work. After your health improves, the treatment given will be the same as for moderate to mild pneumonia. The length of hospitalization that you must undergo is determined by the level of lung damage and the severity of the pneumonia case you suffer from.
- Doctors may use bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in certain patients to avoid intubation and the use of traditional mechanical ventilation. BiPAP is a noninvasive technique for delivering compressed air to patients which is often also used to treat sleep apnea.
Step 4. Use the right antibiotics
There are several different types of antibiotics you can use if you have pneumonia. The doctor will determine the type of pathogen causing your pneumonia specifically to determine the appropriate medication. In most types of pneumonia, the antibiotics given include zithromax or doxycycline in combination with amoxicillin, augmentin, ampicillin, cefaclor, or cefotaxime. The dose of antibiotics is determined by your age and the severity of your case, as well as your allergies and culture test results.
- Your doctor may prescribe a less commonly used but effective antibiotic, a quinolone antibiotic such as Levaquin or Avelox for adults. Quinolones are not indicated for the pediatric population.
- In moderate and mild cases, but almost requiring the patient to be hospitalized, the doctor may give rocephin intravenously followed by oral antibiotics.
- In all cases of pneumonia, your doctor will give you a follow-up examination in a few days to monitor the progress of your symptoms.
Step 5. Treat nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)
Patients with nosocomial pneumonia already have health problems. This makes the care for them slightly different than for people with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, care for patients with nosocomial pneumonia may also be used in rare and severe cases of community pneumonia. Nosocomial pneumonia can be caused by various types of pathogens. So, the doctor will determine the pathogen that attacks your body and then give the appropriate antibiotic. Typical treatments are:
- For Klebsiella and E. Coli, intravenous antibiotics such as quinolones, ceftazidime, or ceftriaxone.
- For Pseudomonas, intravenous antibiotics such as imipenem, piperacillin, or cefepime.
- For S. aureus or MRSA, intravenous antibiotics such as vancomycin.
- For fungal pneumonia, intravenous antibiotics such as Amphotericin B or Diflucan IV
- For vancomycin-resistant enterococci: intravenous antibiotics such as ceftarolin
Method 2 of 4: Preventing Pneumonia
Step 1. Get a flu shot
Pneumonia can be caused by a severe influenza attack. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a flu vaccination once a year. Since it can help the body fight the flu, it will also help fight pneumonia.
- The flu vaccine can be given to anyone older than 6 months.
- There are special vaccines that can be given to children younger than 2 years old and also children between 2-5 years who are more at risk for pneumonia. Children who are cared for in daycare should also be given this vaccine.
- There is also a vaccine for those who do not have a spleen, are over 65 years old, have lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, and sickle cell anemia.
Step 2. Wash your hands frequently
To avoid pneumonia, you must avoid contact with viruses and germs that cause it. For that, wash your hands properly. If you are in an environment of people with disease, wash your hands as often as possible. In addition, avoid placing dirty hands around the face to prevent the entry of germs from the hands into the body. To wash your hands properly:
- Turn on the faucet and wet your hands.
- Pour the soap into your palms and rub all over your fingers, including the areas under your nails, the backs of your hands, and between your fingers.
- Keep washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, or as long as you sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
- Rinse hands with water to remove soap. Use warm water to help get rid of soap and germs.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Step 3. Take care of your body
A powerful way to prevent pneumonia infection is to maintain the best overall health of the body as possible. This means, you must maintain physical and mental fitness. Try to exercise every day, have a healthy and balanced diet, and get enough sleep. All of which will benefit your health while keeping your immune system as strong as possible.
Many people think they can sleep and stay healthy. In fact, there are studies that have found a relationship between immune levels and sleep time at night. The more you get quality, uninterrupted sleep in a supportive environment at night, the healthier your immune system will be
Step 4. Try using vitamins and minerals
There are several supplements that you can use to boost your overall immunity. One of the best vitamins for preventing pneumonia is vitamin C. Try to consume 1000-2000 mg of vitamin C daily. You can get it from citrus fruits, orange juice, broccoli, watermelon, yellow melon, and many other vegetables and fruits.
Zinc (zinc) is also useful if you have a cold that can turn into pneumonia. At the onset of cold symptoms, take 150 mg of zinc three times a day
Step 5. Get vaccinated against pneumonia if your immune system is weak
While the flu shot works for almost everyone, the pneumonia vaccine may be necessary for some. For healthy adults between the ages of 18-64, the pneumonia vaccination may not be necessary. However, consider this vaccination if you are over 65 years old, have a disease that impairs your immune system, smoke or drink a lot, or are recovering from an injury, illness, or major surgery.
- There are two types of pneumonia vaccines, namely: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13) which protects the body from 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax) which protects the body from 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
- Unfortunately, the pneumonia vaccination does not guarantee that you will not get pneumonia. However, this vaccination will drastically reduce your chances of getting pneumonia. If you become infected with pneumonia after having a pneumonia vaccination, it is most likely a mild case.
Method 3 of 4: Understanding Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Step 1. Identify the types of pneumonia
Pneumonia is classified into two based on the cause and method of treatment, namely, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which will be discussed in the next section. Community pneumonia is caused by typical, atypical bacteria, and respiratory viruses.
Community pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that infects most of the people in their daily life. Pneumonia is more dangerous for the elderly, infants and toddlers, as well as those with compromised immune systems such as diabetics, people with HIV, or those undergoing chemotherapy and using steroid drugs. The severity of community pneumonia ranges from mild cases (and can be treated at home) to cases with acute respiratory failure and death
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia can vary from mild to severe, depending on the germ causing it and the severity of the infection in the patient. If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor immediately for treatment. The longer you delay, the more severe the impact. Symptoms of community pneumonia include:
- Cough with phlegm
- Thick phlegm that may be green, yellow, or reddish
- Severe chest pain when taking a deep breath
- Fever over 38°C, but often between 38, 3-38, 9°C
- Shivering or shaking unnoticed
- Mild to severe shortness of breath
- Fast breathing which is more common in cases of children
- Decreased oxygen saturation in the lungs
Step 3. Get tested for community pneumonia
When you visit your doctor, all of your symptoms will be checked. In addition, the doctor will also perform a chest radiograph that will show the impact of the disease on your lungs. If your doctor notices clusters of patches on the lobes of your lungs, which are generally black in color, you may have pneumonia. In addition, there may also be a parapneumonic effusion, or fluid buildup around the area of infection.
Blood tests are usually not needed in cases of mild pneumonia. However, if your pneumonia is more severe, your doctor may order you to have a complete blood count, basic metabolism panel, sputum sample test, and bacterial culture
Step 4. Seek immediate medical attention
In some situations, you may need to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you have had previous treatment, seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms worsen. Immediately visit a doctor or emergency room if:
- You are confused to determine the time, recognize people or places
- Nausea and vomiting prevent you from swallowing oral antibiotics
- Your blood pressure drops
- Your breath rate is fast
- You need help breathing
- Your body temperature is over 38.9°C
- Your body temperature is less than normal
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Nosocomial Pneumonia
Step 1. Identify nosocomial pneumonia (hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)
Nosocomial pneumonia infects patients during their stay in hospital. This pneumonia is usually very severe, has a high mortality rate, and is responsible for 2% of hospitalizations. Nosocomial pneumonia can affect all patients in a hospital, from those about to undergo surgery to those who already have a serious infection. Nosocomial pneumonia can lead to sepsis and multiorgan failure, as well as death.
Symptoms of nosocomial pneumonia are the same as community pneumonia because they are basically the same disease
Step 2. Know the risk of nosocomial pneumonia
Community pneumonia is spread by transmission of common pathogens. Meanwhile, nosocomial pneumonia is spreading in the hospital environment. Although all hospitalized patients can be infected with nosocomial pneumonia, there are certain patients who are more at risk of developing it. These risk factors include:
- Undergoing treatment in the ICU
- Using mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more
- Undergoing treatment in the hospital or ICU for a long time
- Those who are already suffering from a serious illness while being treated at the hospital
- Patients with heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, COPD, and diabetes
Step 3. Understand the causes of nosocomial pneumonia
Nosocomial pneumonia can occur through postoperative complications such as postoperative lung collapse or lack of deep breathing due to pain. It can also be caused by the poor hygiene of hospital medical staff, especially during the time they provide care for patients on catheters, ventilators, and breathing tubes.
Step 4. Avoid nosocomial pneumonia
Nosocomial pneumonia can be avoided if hospital health workers maintain as much hygiene as possible, take good care of the ventilator, and use a postoperative incentive spirometer to stimulate long breaths in postoperative patients. Pneumonia can also be avoided if the patient is able to get out of bed sooner after surgery and if the intubation is removed as soon as possible.
