Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs, typically caused by an infection. While most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks, infants, the elderly, and individuals with heart or lung conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and may require hospitalization.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pneumonia symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually over several days. They include:

• A cough, which may bring up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Chest pain
• Body aches
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Wheezing sounds when breathing (babies may also grunt)
• Confusion, which is more common in older adults

Urgent advice: Seek an urgent appointment with your doctor if you experience:

• A persistent cough lasting 3 weeks or more
• Coughing up blood
• Intermittent chest pain, or pain when breathing or coughing
• Difficulty breathing

Immediate action required: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing – choking, gasping, and being unable to speak
• Pale, blue, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue
• Sudden confusion (e.g., not knowing where you are)
• Inability to wake your baby, who appears limp

Important: Do not drive yourself to the hospital Emergency. Ask someone else to drive.

Treatment for Pneumonia

Typically, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, and most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks. However, certain individuals are at higher risk of serious complications and may need hospital care, including:

• Those over 65
• People with cardiovascular or chronic lung conditions
• Infants or young children with pneumonia
• People who are very unwell

In the hospital, you will likely receive fluids and antibiotics to combat the infection, and possibly oxygen to assist with breathing. X-rays and blood tests may be conducted to assess other possible conditions.

Important: If prescribed antibiotics for home treatment, contact your doctor if you don’t feel better after 2 to 3 days of use.

Steps to Aid Recovery from Pneumonia

To aid your recovery and prevent spreading the infection to others, consider the following:

• Rest until you feel better – stay home if you have a high temperature or feel too ill to engage in normal activities
  
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
  
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage pain or fever
  
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
  
• Dispose of used tissues immediately
  
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water

Avoid:

• Smoking

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. You can contract it from someone else with the condition, or it may develop following another infection such as:

• Influenza
  
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  
• COVID-19

Pneumonia may also result from inhaling substances like food or water (aspiration pneumonia).

Reducing Your Risk of Pneumonia

Several vaccines can protect you or your child from infections that may lead to pneumonia:

• Pneumococcal vaccine – recommended for babies, people over 65, and those at higher risk of pneumococcal infections
  
• Flu vaccine – recommended during pregnancy, for those over 65, and for individuals with certain long-term health conditions or high flu exposure risk
  
• RSV vaccine – recommended for adults aged 75-79 and pregnant women (after 28 weeks) to protect the baby
  
• COVID-19 vaccine – seasonal vaccine recommended for those at increased risk from COVID-19

Note: Quitting smoking can also lower your chances of developing pneumonia.