Treatment for pneumonia involves curing the infection and preventing complications. People who have community-acquired pneumonia usually can be treated at home with medication. Although most symptoms ease in a few days or weeks, the feeling of tiredness can persist for a month or more.
Learn about pneumonia treatment options and recovery, which depend on the type of pneumonia you have and how severe it is, and understand if you are at risk for complications from pneumonia.
Learn about pneumonia treatment options, factors to consider when determining how to treat pneumonia, and at-home remedies to help speed up recovery.
The typical pneumonia treatment plan consists of rest, antibiotics, and increased fluid intake. Even when your symptoms start to subside, it’s a good idea to rest and take it easy.
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause — bacterial, viral or fungal — and how serious your case is. In many cases, the cause can’t be determined and treatment is focused on managing symptoms and making sure your condition doesn’t get worse.
With prompt treatment, people with mild to moderate pneumonia can often feel better and resume work within a few weeks. In contrast, individuals with severe pneumonia, especially older adults, may need up to two months to recover and up to six months to regain full strength after hospitalization.
Your treatment will depend on what caused your pneumonia, how serious it is, and your overall health. Most people are able to recover at home with rest and medication.
Pneumonia can usually be treated successfully with antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, although full recovery can take weeks. About a million adults receive hospital care for pneumonia each year, and the lung infection causes around 50,000 deaths annually.