Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make it hard for you to breathe. It is most common in people older than 60 and in those who have other health problems. It sometimes can happen in healthy younger people too.

Pneumonia may be mild or very severe. Mild pneumonia is often called walking pneumonia.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia usually is caused by germs called bacteria or viruses. Having a viral infection like a cold or the flu makes it hard for your lungs to fight infection and easier to get a bacterial pneumonia. Having long-term health problems like asthma, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes also increases your chance.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria can come on suddenly. Watch for these symptoms:

  • You have a cough. You may cough up mucus that is rusty, green, or tinged with blood.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have shaking, teeth-chattering chills.
  • You have fast, often shallow, breathing, and you feel short of breath.
  • You have chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in.
  • You have a fast heartbeat.
  • You feel very tired or weak.

Symptoms of pneumonia caused by a virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and little mucus when you cough. Symptoms may come on gradually and are often less obvious than those of bacterial pneumonia. Some viral pneumonias are severe and some are mild. Sometimes, people do not know that they have viral pneumonia, because they do not feel sick.

How is it treated?

Usually, you can treat pneumonia at home with proper care and under the direction of your doctor. Some people may need treatment in a hospital if their symptoms are severe.

Bacterial pneumonia

Pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with medicines called antibiotics. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Viral pneumonia

Antibiotics kill bacteria. But they do not work for pneumonia caused by a virus. People who are more likely to get pneumonia after having the flu (for example, people who are pregnant) may get an antiviral medicine to help relieve symptoms. Varicella pneumonia, which is rare, also can be treated with antiviral medicine.

No matter what type of pneumonia you have, there are things you can do at home to feel better.

  • Get plenty of rest and sleep. You may feel weak and tired for up to 6 weeks, but your energy level will improve with time.
  • Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase how much fluid you drink.
  • Take care of your cough so you can rest. A cough that brings up mucus is one way your body gets rid of the infection. If coughing keeps you from resting, talk to your doctor about ways to decrease your cough and help you breathe easier.
  • Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Dry air makes coughing worse. Follow the instructions for cleaning the machine.
  • Do not smoke, and avoid others' smoke. Smoke will make your cough last longer.
  • Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed to help reduce fever and to decrease chest pain from coughing. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use tissues, and dispose of them promptly and properly.
  • If you were given a spirometer, use it as instructed. This can help your doctor tell how your recovery is going.

Can a vaccine prevent pneumonia?

The pneumococcal vaccine can prevent some of the serious complications of pneumonia, such as infection in the bloodstream or throughout the body.

Children get pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as a routine vaccination. People who smoke or who have some long-term health conditions also need the pneumococcal vaccine. Depending on their age and other factors, adults can get the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Some adults need both types. People ages 65 and older need both the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and PPSV23.

Talk with your doctor about how many doses you need.

The vaccine may cause mild side effects, such as redness or pain where you get the shot. Serious side effects are rare.

People who are at high risk of pneumococcal disease should be vaccinated before they get pregnant.