Pneumonia treatments vary based on the symptoms manifested by the individual and the diagnosis of what type or class of pneumonia is causing the symptoms. For this reason, pneumonia treatment options that are ideal for one patient may be of little to no benefit for another patient dealing with a different type of the condition. Here are a few examples of common treatments associated with the four most common types of pneumonia.
When it comes to bacterial forms of pneumonia, antibiotics are the most common and effective form of pneumonia treatments. The dosage and type of antibiotics will depend on how advanced the illness has become and normally will continue even after the symptoms have faded. This is because the bacteria that caused the pneumonia may still be present even if there is no longer any outward evidence of an infection. The development of new antibiotics to treat pneumonia is common, as some forms of bacteria build up an immunity to existing antibiotics over time.
As with bacteria-based cases of pneumonia, mycoplasmic pneumonia treatments usually involve the use of antibiotics. Unfortunately, this type of pneumonia may not display severe symptoms, leaving sufferers to assume they are dealing with nothing more than a chest cold. However, if left untreated, mycoplasma pneumonia can become quite severe and leave the individual with pronounced fatigue.
Virus-based pneumonia does not tend to respond well to antibiotics. The most common course of treatment with viral pneumonia is to follow the same regimen recommended for a bad cold or a bout with the flu: lots of bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids each day until the condition subsides. Over the counter medications may be used to help keep inflammation down or to deal with symptoms like fever and coughing.
When fungal pneumonia is present, specially designed forms of antifungus medication are often employed to deal with the illness. Pneumonia treatments of this type are somewhat unique, in that they do not work in the same manner as antibiotics or flushing the system with a regular intake of fluids. Instead, pneumonia treatments of this type focus on dissolving the fungi causing the condition and giving the body’s immune system the opportunity to repair the damage caused by the pneumonia.
While pneumonia treatments can usually be administered at home, severe cases of the illness will require hospitalization. When that is the case, the use of intravenous treatments is often necessary, as they allow the rapid assimilation of the medicine. Within a few days, the patient can normally return home and continue using oral pneumonia treatments to recover fully from the illness.
