What to Do if You Suspect You Have Pneumonia



If you suspect you have pneumonia, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It can cause severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up mucus, fever and chills. Left untreated it can lead to complications such as respiratory failure and sepsis.

The first step in diagnosing pneumonia is to visit your doctor for a physical exam and possibly a chest X-ray or CT scan. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your chest for signs of infection like crackles or wheezing when breathing in deeply. Blood tests may also be ordered to check for inflammation markers associated with pneumonia.

Treatment for pneumonia typically includes antibiotics if the cause is bacterial or antivirals if the cause is viral. Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help reduce fever and relieve pain associated with pneumonia. In some cases oxygen therapy may be necessary if there is difficulty breathing due to low oxygen levels in the blood stream related to the infection.

It's important that you take all medications prescribed by your doctor even if you start feeling better after a few days; this helps ensure that all bacteria are killed off completely so that no relapse occurs later on down the road. Additionally, rest is essential while recovering from an infection like pneumonia; try not to overexert yourself during recovery so that your body has enough time and energy to heal itself properly without further straining it more than necessary.

If symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment with antibiotics/antivirals then additional testing may be required such as sputum culture tests or bronchoscopy which involves inserting a small camera into the airways of the lungs in order to look for areas of inflammation caused by an infection like pneumonia.

Pneumonia can be life threatening if left untreated so it's important that anyone who suspects they have this condition seek medical attention right away in order to receive proper diagnosis and treatment before complications arise from this serious condition

Tags:

. Pneumonia, Lungs, Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Chest Pain, Difficulty Breathing, Coughing Up Mucus, Fever and Chills, Respiratory Failure and Sepsis, Physical Exam and Chest X-Ray/CT Scan, Blood Tests for Inflammation Markers, Antibiotics/Antivirals for Treatment Over-the-Counter Medications (Ibuprofen/Motrin or Acetaminophen/Tylenol), Oxygen Therapy if Low Oxygen Levels in Blood Stream Related to Infection Take All Medications Prescribed by Doctor Even if Feeling Better After Few Days Rest Essential While Recovering Sputum Culture Tests or Bronchoscopy Look for Areas of Inflammation Caused by Infection Life Threatening if Left Untreated,

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