Contents:
- Medical Video: Learn How To Manage Pneumonia - Manipal Hospital
- Having pneumonia, can you just be treated at home or need to be hospitalized?
- Then, when to get hospitalized if you get pneumonia?
- Is there anything you can do to prevent pneumonia?
Medical Video: Learn How To Manage Pneumonia - Manipal Hospital
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by infection - can be by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Pneumonia is more common in elderly people, but anyone basically can get pneumonia when the immune system is declining. The most common symptoms of pneumonia are fever (can reach more than 40ºC), phlegm cough which can sometimes be accompanied by blood, shortness of breath, and chest pain. If you suspect you have pneumonia, you should immediately go to the doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
The next question is, does the treatment for pneumonia really need to be hospitalized or can it be at home?
Having pneumonia, can you just be treated at home or need to be hospitalized?
Treating pneumonia can actually be done at home or in the hospital, depending on your current body condition and how severe the symptoms are.
If the doctor considers that your illness is not too severe, chances are that the doctor will only prescribe antibiotics to take home. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for treating pneumonia are amoxicillin (with or without Clavulanat) or class III cefalosporin drugs, such as eftriaxone or cefotaxime. The administration of antibiotics can also be combined with makrolide class antibiotics such as azithromicin, erythromycin or clarithromycin.
It is important to understand and obey every doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and procedure for taking the medicine so that you can recover quickly. Also make sure you spend the antibiotics according to the doctor's time period.
In addition to prescribing medication, the general doctor will also advise you to rest a lot at home. Do not force yourself to move as usual. Because the symptoms of pneumonia can be very debilitating. You need to have a complete rest for several weeks until your condition improves. Perform activities gradually and slowly until your body has fully recovered.
To reduce fever and pain, you can take over-the-counter paracetamol at a shop or pharmacy. Don't forget to drink more water to prevent dehydration. While at home, don't forget to wear a mask to prevent transmission to other family members when you cough.
Generally pneumonia can heal in 2 to 3 weeks with simple treatment at home. In older adults and people with other health problems, recovery may take around 6-8 weeks or more.
Then, when to get hospitalized if you get pneumonia?
If the symptoms worsen or the fever continues to rise above 40ºC despite taking medication, you should immediately request hospitalization. If you are hospitalized, you will be trained by a physiotherapist to set up a coughing technique so that you can expel phlegm more effectively and can cough without feeling too painful.
If you experience shortness of breath, you might have an oxygen hose attached to help your breathing. You may also receive antibiotics by IV. Infusion is also done to help meet the body's fluid and electrolyte needs while you are hospitalized.
People whose immune systems are weak; have heart disease or other lung conditions; and people who were already very sick before pneumonia were more likely to be hospitalized as soon as their doctor diagnosed pneumonia. Infants, young children, and adults aged 65 years and over are also at high risk for hospitalization when pneumonia, regardless of body condition and severity of symptoms.
Is there anything you can do to prevent pneumonia?
You can apply a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of pneumonia, including:
- Eating healthy foods
- Always wash your hands before eating, after from the toilet, after gardening, before and after preparing food or cooking, after holding the trash, after coughing or sneezing, and other times.
- Not smoking and not consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
- Exercise regularly and rest when tired.
