Fever, sweating, and shaking chills Cough, which may produce phlegm Chest pain when you breathe or cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Tiredness Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Headache Extreme fatigue
The doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, listening specifically for crackling, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when you inhale, and for areas of your lungs where the sound of breathing cannot be heard as normal. The doctor may order a chest X-ray. Note that viral-based pneumonia does not have a known treatment. Your doctor will inform you what to do in this case. However, viral pneumonia can progress to bacterial pneumonia and may still be treated with an antibiotic. For hospitalized cases, you will receive antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and possibly oxygen therapy to treat pneumonia.
Even if you feel better, stopping antibiotics early can create bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. [6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Drinking fluids (particularly water) will help break up mucus in your lungs. Again, finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor.
Try eating sweet potatoes and brown rice to your diet. Try eating lean chicken and fish to add protein to your diet. Avoid fatty meats, such as red meat or processed meat. Again, drink plenty of fluids to hydrate and help thin out any mucus in your lungs. Chicken soup is a good source of fluids, electrolytes, protein, and vegetables! Supplement with vitamins and minerals, like vitamins C and D, fish oil, glutathione, and probiotics since they’re important for recovering from pneumonia.
Take 10–15 breaths with your spirometer every 1–2 hours, or as often as your doctor recommends.
Massaging the area over your lungs can also help break up the liquid in your lungs so you’re more likely to clear it out when you cough.
Normal recovery time from pneumonia is one to three weeks, though you should begin to feel better after several days of antibiotics. If symptoms persist for a week after you have begun taking antibiotics, this may be a sign you are not recovering, and you should contact your doctor immediately. If the infection persists with antibiotic treatment, patients may still require hospital-level care.
You can begin with simple breathing exercises in bed. Inhale deeply and hold for three seconds, then release with lips partially closed. Work your way up to short walks around your home or apartment. Once this is not exhausting, begin to walk longer distances.
