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Cough
Pneumonia is an abnormal inflammatory condition of the lung.
[1]
It is often characterized as including inflammation of
Shortness of breath
the parenchyma of the lung (that is, the alveoli) andabnormal
The alveoli are microscopic air-filled sacs in the lungs Shaking chills
responsible for absorbing oxygen. Pneumonia can result from
Chest pain that fluctuates with breathing (pleurisy)
a variety of causes,
be performed. An individual's white blood cell count can often serious your pneumonia is, and the type of antibiotic you are
taking.
give a hint as to the severity of the pneumonia and whether it is
caused by bacteria or a virus. An increased number of Your doctor will choose your antibiotic based on a number of
neutrophils, one type of WBC, is seen in bacterial infections, things, including your age, your symptoms and how severe
whereas an increase in lymphocytes, another type of WBC, is they are, and whether you need to go to the hospital.
infected part of the lung can be obtained. any of the following antibiotics:
Get plenty of rest. Even when you start to feel If you have to go to the hospital, your doctor may use any of
better, be careful not to overdo it. the above antibiotics. Other antibiotics that your doctor may
use in this situation include:
Stay home from school or work until after your
• Cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and
temperature returns to normal and you stop
cefepime.
coughing up mucus. This advice depends partially on
how sick you were. If uncertain, ask your doctor. • Penicillins, such as amoxicillin and ampicillin.
Because pneumonia can recur within a week or so, it
• Vancomycin.
may be better not to return to a full workload until
you're sure you're well. Antibiotics usually work well with younger, otherwise healthy
people who have strong immune systems. You most likely will
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Liquids see some improvement in symptoms in 2 to 3 days. Unless
keep you from becoming dehydrated and help loosen you get worse during this time, your doctor usually will not
mucus in your lungs. change your treatment for at least 3 days. If there is no
improvement or if your symptoms get worse, you may
Take the entire course of any prescribed
need culture and sensitivity testing. These tests help identify
medications.Stopping medication too soon can cause
the organism that is causing your symptoms. These tests also
your pneumonia to come back and contributes to the
help your doctor find out whether the bacteria may
development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
be resistant to the antibiotic
Treatment