Pneumonia is a respiratory disorder caused by an infection in the lungs. Common symptoms of pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Pneumonia can usually be treated at home and resolves completely within 3 weeks using antibiotics. However, there are several actions that can be taken to prevent pneumonia.
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Part 1 of 3: Keeping Healthy
Step 1. Keep your immune system healthy
Maintaining a healthy immune system is important not only to prevent pneumonia, but also fatigue and various other common diseases. People with weak immune systems, children under 2 years old, adults 65 years and over, and people with chronic diseases are at higher risk of developing pneumonia. So, take extra measures to maintain a healthy immune system if you belong to a group that has a higher risk of pneumonia.
- Consuming too much sugar, not maintaining a healthy weight, stress, and lack of sleep impair the immune system's ability to fight disease.
- Eat healthy foods that are high in protein and vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables.
- If you know that you are deficient in certain vitamins, such as vitamin D, which is mostly obtained from exposure to UV rays, take the right supplements to balance the deficiency that the body cannot meet on its own.
- A poor immune system can be caused by being overweight and not exercising enough. If you are overweight, your immune system may not function optimally.
Step 2. Stay away from people who are sick
Since you're very susceptible to pneumonia if you already have another illness, even just a cold, staying away from people and places that may have a lot of germs can help prevent pneumonia
Step 3. Wash your hands frequently
Because hands come into contact with many objects and people every day, maintaining good hand hygiene is a great pneumonia prevention measure.
Think of all the things you touch every day and the parts of your body that come into contact with your hands, from your eyes to your mouth. Keep your hands clean to keep your body healthy
Step 4. Quit smoking
One of the easiest and most difficult ways to boost your immune system and prevent pneumonia is to stop smoking.
Because pneumonia is an infection that occurs in the lungs, smoking, which makes the lungs more susceptible to infection, makes it difficult to prevent or even cure pneumonia
Step 5. Live a healthy lifestyle
Many doctors recommend this method because it can protect the body from various kinds of infections.
- A healthy lifestyle does not only involve things that must be done, but also things that must be avoided, such as avoiding foods that contain bad fats, not consuming too much alcohol, and avoiding situations that can cause stress.
- Fats in plant-based foods and oils such as omega-3 fatty acids are healthier than the saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products such as butter.
Step 6. Get enough sleep
The average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Take steps to ensure you get enough sleep.
- Sleep in the right position. Sleep will be better if you sleep in a position that keeps your neck and head straight. Also, don't sleep on your stomach because this position causes your head to lie at an uncomfortable angle.
- Dim the light and reduce the sound an hour before bed. Give your body time to relax by not using any electronic devices. If you're feeling restless, try reading a book.
- Lack of sleep makes it harder for the body to fight infection.
Step 7. Know the various symptoms of pneumonia
After recognizing the various symptoms of pneumonia, take various precautions to avoid getting the disease. By knowing what kind of symptoms to watch out for, pneumonia is more likely to be prevented.
- Cough that emits strange mucus, like green or blood-like
- Fever, mild or high
- Shivering
- Out of breath when going up stairs
- Confused
- Moist and sweaty skin
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, no energy, and feeling very tired
- Sharp pain in the chest
Part 2 of 3: See a Doctor
Step 1. Find out if you have a serious illness
Consult a doctor if there are serious illnesses, especially cancer and HIV AIDS, because the risk of pneumonia can increase due to a weakened immune system.
- Various other factors, such as taking certain medications or having had a stroke, can make it easier for the body to develop pneumonia.
- To prevent pneumonia, make sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise as much as possible.
- Consult with your doctor about what actions can be taken to prevent pneumonia because the doctor can provide recommendations made specifically for your body condition.
Step 2. Consult a doctor if symptoms of pneumonia occur
However, make sure the symptoms are not just a cold before going to the doctor and spending money.
- If you feel the symptoms of pneumonia are starting to appear, as soon as possible to see a doctor can help prevent the disease from getting worse.
- Although a visit to the doctor should not be delayed too long if you do have pneumonia, one way to prevent the disease is to stay away from places where sick people are, such as hospitals or doctor's offices. So, it's good to consider in advance whether the symptoms that occur are pneumonia or just a cold.
Step 3. Get the pneumonia vaccine
Children are usually given the pneumococcal vaccine, which can help white blood cells learn the characteristics of and how to fight pneumonia.
- While this method is neither a definitive cure nor a state-of-the-art prevention, vaccines help the body learn the signs to look out for.
- In addition, getting vaccinated against other diseases, such as measles and flu, can help prevent these diseases from getting worse and causing pneumonia.
Step 4. Schedule regular checkups
Having regular check-ups is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent various types of diseases, including pneumonia, because prevention is always easier than cure.
Routine examinations may not be able to specifically detect or prevent pneumonia. However, undergoing screening to detect various health disorders, such as immunodeficiency, blood pressure disorders, asthma, etc., helps prevent other diseases that can cause pneumonia to become more severe
Part 3 of 3: Treating Pneumonia
Step 1. Drink plenty of fluids
Keeping the body hydrated is very important when you are sick.
- However, do not consume drinks that contain sugar.
- Warm water or room temperature is the most effective drink to keep the body hydrated. Lemon can be added to give the water a little taste.
Step 2. Take acetaminophen
Medications such as Tylenol or Aspirin relieve pain and fever, making you feel better.
Step 3. Get enough rest
Frequent sleep helps the body heal faster because when you are not active, the body can focus on fighting disease.
Step 4. Get a prescription from your doctor
If you have pneumonia, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics, which can help your body beat the infection within 2-3 days.
Your doctor can determine which antibiotic is right for you based on your age, condition, and medical history
Tips
- Infection can occur in one lung or both.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Maintain a healthy diet with exercise.
- Make sure your body gets all the vitamins it needs.
- Stay away from places that have a high risk of disease, especially when the body is experiencing any symptoms of illness.
