|
McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Illustration
Pneumonia
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of the lungs.
How does it occur?
Pneumonia occurs when the lungs are exposed to germs not
usually present in the lungs. You may have been infected
because:
- You were exposed to a large amount of a virus or
bacteria.
- You were already ill--for example, with flu or a
cold--and so your immune system was weakened.
- You have a chronic (ongoing) illness, such as diabetes,
chronic bronchitis, or cancer. The illness can make it
easier for you to get all kinds of infections.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of pneumonia are:
- fever and chills
- cough
- shortness of breath
- chest pain, especially when you take a breath
- coughing up small amounts of mucus, sometimes
blood-stained
- muscle aches.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will review your symptoms and
examine you. Your provider will check for fever or fast
breathing. He or she will listen to your lungs.
The following tests help detect pneumonia. They also help
your provider know what medicine you need:
- chest x-ray
- blood tests
- lab tests of a sputum sample (a sample of mucus, also
called phlegm, coughed up from deep in your lungs).
How is it treated?
Your health care provider will determine what medicine you
need. Most often you will be given antibiotics and
instructions for caring for yourself at home.
You may need to stay in the hospital if:
- You are having a lot of trouble breathing.
- It's hard for you to drink enough fluids.
- You have no one to care for you at home.
If you are hospitalized:
- You may be given oxygen.
- You may be given IV (intravenous) fluids.
- You may be checked often by nursing staff and electronic
equipment.
- You may have x-rays taken several times.
How long will the effects last?
Usually you will begin to feel better after 2 to 3 days of
antibiotics. If you are an otherwise healthy person, you
should feel close to normal after a week or so. If you are
over 60 years old or have other medical problems, it may
take longer to feel normal.
How can I take care of myself?
- Start taking your medicine right away and follow the
treatment your health care provider prescribes.
- Rest until you no longer have a fever, chest pain, or
shortness of breath. Follow your health care provider's
instructions for activities such as school, work, or
recreation.
- Drink more liquids (water, tea, or fruit juice) every day
to help you cough up mucus more easily. Drink at least 2
quarts of liquids unless your health care provider has
given you different instructions.
- Cough up lung secretions as much as possible. Use cough
medicine only if your cough is dry and your provider
agrees.
- Use a humidifier to increase air moisture. Avoid steam
vaporizers because they can cause burns.
- Ask your provider about taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or
acetaminophen for fever or chest pain.
- Use a heating pad on a low setting to reduce chest pain.
Be careful not to fall asleep while you are using the
heating pad.
- Call your health care provider if you feel you are
getting worse or if you are not getting better in 2 to 3
days.
How can I help prevent pneumonia?
- Don't smoke.
- Get a flu shot every October to protect against flu.
- Get the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine (Pneumovax) if you
have a chronic illness or are over age 65.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise according to your health care provider's advice.
- Practice good hand-washing habits when you are around
sick people or in public. Also wash before you eat or
drink.
|