Pneumonia Treatment

Antibiotics are usually used to treatpneumoniawhen it is caused by bacteria. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics in a pill or liquid form that you can take at home, or, in more serious cases, you may be admitted to the hospital and be given intravenous, or "IV" antibiotics.

If you havepneumonia, you should begin to feel better within 3 to 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment; however it is important to take the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better before it is finished.Pneumonia symptomsmay last weeks to months.

What about children and the elderly?

Children with pneumonia are also treated with antibiotics. Treatment depends on your child's age, the severity of the pneumonia, and if it is caused by bacteria or a virus. Elderly patients may require longer treatment and may take longer to recover from pneumonia. Make sure elderly family members take all prescribed medications.

Other medications and home remedies

You may be given other medications to ease yoursymptoms of pneumoniasuch as steroids (pills or injections), oxygen,breathing治疗,或吸入器。在家里:使用humidifier, drink plenty of liquids (no alcohol), and get plenty of rest rest.

Some types of pneumonia are caused byviruses, and antibiotics will not help with viral pneumonia. One type of rare pneumonia,varicellapneumonia, can be treated with antiviral medicine.