As discussed in the
Emergency Department prior to discharge, you have been diagnosed with
pneumonia. Pneumonia
is a lung infection that can cause coughing, fever, and trouble breathing. The lung infection is often caused by
bacteria, but it can also be caused by viruses or other microorganisms.
Doctors use the term
"community-acquired" when a person catches an infection in their
daily life, and not from being in the hospital.
Doctors call it "hospital-acquired" when people catch an
infection from being in the hospital.
Community-acquired pneumonia can be mild
or severe. A mild infection is sometimes
called "walking pneumonia."
That's because most people with walking pneumonia are not very sick and
can still walk around and do their daily activities.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include
cough, coughing up mucus (sputum), fever, chest pain (especially when taking a
deep breath), a fast heartbeat, and shaking chills.
Doctors treat community-acquired
pneumonia with antibiotic medicines.
These medicines kill the germs that are causing the infection. Most people can take antibiotic pills at home,
but some people need to be treated in the hospital. People who are treated in the hospital
usually get antibiotics through a thin tube that goes into their vein, called
an "IV." Some people also get
extra oxygen to help them breathe more easily.
Most people start to feel better within 3
to 5 days of taking their medicine. But
a cough from pneumonia can last weeks or months after treatment. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse
after starting treatment, tell your doctor or nurse.
You should also be sure to get plenty of
rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take a fever-reducing medicine, if you have a
fever.
No comments:
Post a Comment