Pneumonia Treatment: Hospital Care And Recovery

Pneumonia is a serious, potentially life-threatening, lung infection in which the air sacs fill with pus and fluid. Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia, the patient's age, their overall health, and the severity of their symptoms. Most cases of pneumonia are treated at home, but severe cases may require hospitalisation. In hospital, patients are given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy and possibly other breathing treatments. If the case is very severe, the patient may need to be put on a ventilator, and in some cases, surgery may be required to remove infected or damaged parts of the lung.

Treatment for Pneumonia in Hospital

Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, which are medications that kill certain kinds of bacteria and stop their growth. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and are not suitable for viral or fungal infections.

When treating bacterial pneumonia, it is important to take antibiotics exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Patients should take the full course of antibiotics, even if they start to feel better before finishing the prescription. Failing to complete the full course of antibiotics can increase the risk of the infection returning and can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic therapy for bacterial pneumonia should be administered as early as possible. Initial treatment guidelines recommend the use of β-lactam and β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, particularly sulbactam-ampicillin (SAM) and ceftriaxone. In more severe cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics such as piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and carbapenems may be used. The specific type of antibiotic prescribed can vary based on the patient's community, underlying health conditions, and diagnostic tests.

Hospitalization may be required for severe cases of bacterial pneumonia. In a hospital setting, antibiotics and fluids can be administered intravenously, and oxygen therapy may be provided to increase oxygen levels in the blood. In very severe cases, mechanical ventilation and surgical interventions may be necessary.

Antivirals are sometimes used for viral pneumonia

Antivirals are sometimes used to treat viral pneumonia, although medication is not always necessary for this type of pneumonia, as it can go away on its own. Antivirals are not effective against every virus that causes pneumonia.

If a patient is hospitalised with suspected or confirmed influenza, antiviral treatment with oral or enterically administered oseltamivir is recommended as soon as possible. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) inhibits neuraminidase, a glycoprotein on the surface of the influenza virus that destroys an infected cell's receptor for viral hemagglutinin. By inhibiting neuraminidase, oseltamivir decreases the release of viruses from infected cells, thus reducing viral spread. Oseltamivir is effective for treating influenza A or B infection, although resistant strains of seasonal influenza and H1N1 have been reported.

For outpatients with suspected or confirmed uncomplicated influenza, oral oseltamivir, inhaled zanamivir, intravenous peramivir, or oral baloxavir may be used for treatment, depending on approved age groups and contraindications. Zanamivir (Relenza) and peramivir (Rapivab) are also antivirals that can be prescribed to reduce the severity and duration of viral pneumonia. Baloxavir is active against both influenza A and B viruses but has a different mechanism of action than neuraminidase inhibitors. It is a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor that interferes with viral RNA transcription and blocks virus replication.

Other antiviral agents that can be used to treat viral pneumonia include amantadine, rimantadine, ribavirin, acyclovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet. Acyclovir is used for varicella and herpes simplex pneumonia, while ganciclovir is used in immunocompromised patients with CMV pneumonia.

Antifungals are used for fungal pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus. Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia, the patient's age, their overall health, and how sick they are feeling. If pneumonia is severe, patients may need to be treated in a hospital, where they can receive antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous (IV) line. In very serious cases, the patient may be put on a ventilator or require surgery to remove infected or damaged parts of the lung.

Fungal pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by fungi in the environment. It tends to affect people with weaker immune systems, such as young children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS or cancer. Antifungal medications are used to treat fungal pneumonia. Amphotericin B injections, a type of polyene, have long been the standard treatment for fungal pneumonia, but newer agents have demonstrated superior efficacy and safety. These include extended-spectrum triazoles and liposomal amphotericin B.

Voriconazole, a type of triazole, has become the treatment of choice for most pulmonary mold diseases. Other triazoles that may be prescribed include posaconazole and itraconazole, which have shown similar clinical efficacy to voriconazole. Fluconazole, another triazole, is used to treat cryptococcal infection and valley fever and is also indicated to prevent fungal pneumonia. Echinocandins, such as caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin, are another class of antifungals that act directly on the fungi, preventing their spread.

The specific dosages and methods of administration of antifungal medications for fungal pneumonia vary depending on the individual case and type of infection. In severe cases, oxygen therapy and breathing exercises may be ordered to restore oxygen levels and loosen mucus in the lungs. It is important to follow the treatment plan carefully and take any prescribed medications as directed by a doctor.

Oxygen therapy increases oxygen in the blood

Oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides patients with extra oxygen to breathe in. It is also referred to as supplemental oxygen. This therapy is prescribed by a healthcare provider when blood oxygen levels drop below 88%. Oxygen therapy can take place anywhere, as there are smaller-sized oxygen systems that are portable.

Oxygen therapy is particularly helpful for individuals with lung diseases or breathing problems. It helps them get the oxygen their bodies need to function and stay well. Healthy blood oxygen levels help individuals feel and sleep better. Low blood oxygen levels, also known as hypoxemia, can be life-threatening and cause organ damage and organ failure.

When an individual breathes through their mouth or nose, their body takes in air, which contains 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. Their lungs filter oxygen from this air and send it through blood vessels to their organs, tissues, and cells. Lung problems can cause low blood oxygen levels, and oxygen therapy helps address this issue.

Blood oxygen levels can be measured with a blood test or a pulse oximeter, a small device that clips onto a finger, toe, or earlobe. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. It is a useful tool for monitoring oxygen levels in patients with conditions such as pneumonia, where maintaining adequate oxygen levels is crucial.

In the context of pneumonia treatment, oxygen therapy is used to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood when the condition is severe. Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, leading to breathing difficulties. Oxygen therapy helps address the breathing problems associated with pneumonia and ensures the body receives the oxygen it requires to function properly.

Surgery may be required to remove infected lung parts

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus, leading to breathing difficulties, fever, cough, and fatigue. Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type and severity of pneumonia, the patient's overall health, and their age. While most patients do not require surgery, it may be necessary if serious complications arise, such as lung abscesses or empyema.

Lung abscesses are infrequent but serious complications of pneumonia. They occur when pockets of pus form inside or around the lungs and may require surgical drainage. Pneumonia patients who develop lung abscesses may undergo a pneumonectomy, which involves removing one of the lungs. This procedure is typically recommended for cancer patients, traumatic lung injuries, advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, or fungal infections.

A pneumonectomy is a high-risk surgery with potential complications, including respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and abnormal heart rhythms. The procedure involves making an incision on the side of the body and spreading the ribs to access the lung. The surgeon then removes the affected lung, and the pleura, or sac containing the lung, fills with air. In rare cases, a minimally invasive VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) procedure may be performed, which utilizes a thin tube with a special video camera.

Before undergoing a pneumonectomy, patients should consult their healthcare provider about specific risks and necessary preparations. The procedure is typically performed by an experienced, board-certified surgeon, in collaboration with a team of specialists, including nurses and physician assistants with expertise in pneumonia care. Following surgery, patients recover in a designated post-surgical care unit, where they receive comprehensive care to support their recovery.

Frequently asked questions