What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs that is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Most of the time, your nose,
mouth and trachea (windpipe) filter germs out of the air to protect your lungs from infection. Germs are more likely
to reach your lungs and cause an infection if you smoke, are elderly, have trouble coughing or swallowing, or have a
chronic illness or weak immune system.
In healthy lungs, the airways are clear and open. With pneumonia, airways are swollen and air sacs are filled with pus or
fluid, causing symptoms such as cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and trouble breathing.
Who is at Risk for Pneumonia?
Anyone can get pneumonia, but certain people are at higher risk:
l Smokers
l Age 65 or older
l Trouble coughing or swallowing
l Chronic illness such as COPD, Diabetes, or Heart Failure
l Weak immune system such as chronic steroid use or chemotherapy
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia?
Signs and symptoms vary depending on your age, other illnesses and the type of pneumonia you have but generally include:
l Fever and chills
l Cough with phlegm
l Short of breath with normal daily activity
l Chest pain with breathing or coughing
l Weak and tired
l Loss of appetite
l Confusion or trouble thinking
How is Pneumonia Treated?
Your treatment depends on the cause and severity of your illness. It may include oxygen, IV fluid and medication, breathing treatments, monitoring your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation), and measuring your urine output. Your treatment is also affected by other conditions, such as COPD, diabetes, or heart failure.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults. Some people, especially the elderly and those who are disabled, develop bacterial pneumonia after having the flu or even a common cold. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Viral Pneumonia
The flu virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral pneumonia.
Fungal Pneumonia
Certain fungi found in the soil or bird droppings can lead to pneumonia. Serious fungal infections are most common in people who
have weak immune systems. Antibiotics are not used to treat fungal pneumonia.
What Can You Do to Prevent Pneumonia?
While vaccines do not prevent all cases of flu and pneumonia, people who are vaccinated are usually less sick and have fewer complications.
Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine
In the absence of allergy or other contraindication, the Pneumonia Vaccine is recommended for adults age 65 and older, and adults
ages 18 to 64 who smoke, live in a nursing home, or have high-risk conditions such as diabetes, heart disease including heart failure,
lung disease including asthma or COPD, kidney disease, alcoholism or other liver disease, sickle cell anemia, or weak immune systems.
Influenza Vaccine
In the absence of allergy or other contraindication, the Flu Vaccine is recommended for all adults. It helps prevent flu for one year.
Since many people get pneumonia after having the flu, it also helps prevent pneumonia.
Practice Good Oral and Hand Hygiene
Brush your teeth twice a day. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue away. Or,
cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based rubs to kill germs.
Quit Smoking
Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking damages your lungs’ ability to filter out germs. Smoking also decreases the
amount of oxygen circulating throughout your body. Ask your health care provider if you need help quitting.
What Should You Do after You Leave the Hospital?
While you are in the hospital, a respiratory therapist will teach you how to do breathing exercises. These breathing exercises help
improve your oxygen flow and reduce stress and anxiety.
Pursed-lip Breathing
With your mouth closed, breathe in slowly through your nose (count to 2). Pucker or purse your lips as if you were going to whistle.
Breathe out slowly and gently (count to 4). Repeat until you are no longer short of breath.
Diaphragm Breathing
Lie down on your back with your knees bent. Support your knees with a pillow if needed. Place one hand on your chest and the other
hand on your abdomen.
Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your abdomen rises or moves out against your hand. The hand on your chest should
remain still.
Tighten your abdominal muscles, pulling your abdomen in as you breathe out through pursed lips. The hand on your chest should
remain still.
Deep Breathing and Coughing
Sit up straight in a chair. Take 2 to 3 deep breaths in through your nose and breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
Fold your arms across your abdomen. Take a deep breath. While pressing your arms against your abdomen, lean forward and cough.
Recovering From Pneumonia
l
Do not smoke
l
Get plenty of rest; it may take a few weeks to re-gain your strength
l
Drink extra fluids (unless otherwise directed) to loosen secretions
l
Cough into your sleeve or a tissue
l
Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based rub
l
Finish your antibiotics
l
Take all your medicine as directed
l
Do not take cough suppressants (coughing helps clear your lungs)
l
Do your breathing exercises
l
Get your Flu & Pneumonia Vaccines
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Follow up with your primary care provider
GREEN
ZONE
Good to go!
YELLOW
ZONE
CAUTION!
RED
ZONE
ALERT!
l
Slight or no trouble breathing
l
Slight or no fever (temp ≤ 100°F)
l
Slight or no cough
l
Not too tired
l
Nearly normal appetite
l
More short of breath
l
Fever (temp ≥ 101°F)
l
Worsening cough
l
Feeling more tired
l
Loss of appetite
l
Chest pain
l
Struggling to breathe
l
Trouble thinking
l
Severe cough
l
Coughing up blood
3
Your treatment is working
– you are getting plenty of
rest, drinking plenty of fluids,
covering your cough, washing
your hands, and taking your
medicine. Keep up the good
work!
Call your primary care
provider to discuss
your symptoms.
Call 911 or go to the
Emergency Room!