Your lungs rely on tiny sacs of air called alveoli to perform a vital job: They exchange outgoing carbon dioxide, a waste product you exhale, with incoming oxygen bound for your blood cells. Pneumonia—an infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi—causes inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli, preventing those areas from getting oxygen into your bloodstream, and leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria or viruses, and the organisms that cause it may be contagious. The most common way you can get it is by inhaling tiny droplets of fluid from an infected person when they sneeze or cough, but you can also get it by touching a surface with pneumonia-causing germs and then touching your face.
Don’t take pneumonia lightly. It’s highly treatable, but for some people, it can lead to severe symptoms, hospitalization and even death. Young children, older adults and people with certain chronic illnesses like COPD are the most vulnerable because their immune systems aren’t at their strongest or their lungs are already weakened. The sooner you seek care, the sooner you can get the pneumonia treatment you need to help your immune system fight the infection.
What’s the Best Form of Pneumonia Prevention
A few simple actions can help you avoid the need for pneumonia treatment by dodging infection altogether. There’s no way to guarantee you won’t get pneumonia, but your best shot is getting one of the pneumococcal vaccines, which are available for different groups of children and adults. Vaccination can’t prevent all pneumonia infections but can greatly reduce their severity.
Staying up to date on other adult vaccines, including those for flu and COVID-19—both viruses can cause pneumonia—is one of the best preventive steps you can take. Also, there is now a vaccine for older patients to protect against another common virus called RSV that can make certain people very sick. For additional protection from pneumonia, be sure to:
- Wash your hands often
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and other heart-healthy and immune system-boosting foods
- Exercise regularly, which helps strengthen your immune system
- Get at least seven hours of sleep each night
- Kick the habit if you smoke
Coughing and Other Pneumonia Clues
One of the most common symptoms of pneumonia is a cough. Some people have a cough that produces mucus, but for others, it’s dry. Coughing may make your chest hurt, which is another sign of pneumonia. You may also feel chest discomfort just from breathing.
In addition to coughing and chest pain, watch for:
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Low appetite
- Reduced energy
- Shortness of breath
Symptom development may vary depending on the type of pneumonia, according to the American Lung Association. Bacterial pneumonia symptoms, for example, may ramp up slowly or strike suddenly. You may develop a high fever and rapid breathing and heart rate. Viral pneumonia, on the other hand, tends to develop gradually. Symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath may worsen one to two days after appearing.
No matter which symptoms you experience, don’t shrug them off. See your primary care provider as soon as possible, especially if you’re at high risk for severe pneumonia.
Finding the Right Pneumonia Treatment for You
The road to recovery starts with a diagnosis. To diagnose pneumonia, your primary care provider will ask about your symptoms, health history and factors that could put you at risk for severe respiratory disease. As part of a physical exam, they’ll use a stethoscope to listen for abnormal sounds in your lungs.
Your medical provider may order tests to check your blood oxygen level and look for pneumonia-causing germs in your blood or mucus. To allow your medical provider to see what your lungs look like, you may need to have a chest X-ray, CT scan or, sometimes, a procedure called a bronchoscopy.
Your primary care provider will recommend treatment based on the type of pneumonia you have and your age and overall health, among other factors. Antibiotics can help treat bacterial pneumonia but won’t work against pneumonia caused by a virus. You may need an antiviral medicine for pneumonia caused by a virus like the Flu or an antifungal medicine for pneumonia caused by a fungus. Take over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and other symptoms.
You may need up to a month or more to fully recover and return to your regular energy level. However, some people only need a week or two to return to normal. In the meantime, you can help recovery along by staying hydrated—warm beverages can help you breathe easier—and getting plenty of rest. Avoid cigarette and wood smoke, which can irritate your lungs. The use of a humidifier may ease some congestion or coughing.
Recovering Well
As you recover, resist the temptation to cut your treatment plan short, even if you’re feeling better. This is especially important if you’re taking antibiotics. Complete the whole course of antibiotics to finish off pneumonia and prevent the germ from becoming resistant to the medication.
If your medical provider schedules a follow-up appointment, be sure to attend so they can determine whether you’re recovering as expected or need extra care. Put your health first, but do your part to keep the people around you safe. Stay away from others as much as possible while you recover, cover your mouth when you cough, and wash your hands often.
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey Marshall, MD.
