Bronchial Pnemonia Treatment

1. Depends on the type

2. May need admission to hospital if patient has a high fever, shortness of breath, or in shock.

3. If treated on outpatient basis, one needs to be monitored closely afterward to make sure he is improving.

4. Bed rest, plenty of fluids, and Tylenol for pain are usually sufficient for mild uncomplicated cases.

5. Antibiotic pills may be started if the patient does not appear too sick.

6. General antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin) may be given until the cultures come back from the lab, then changed to the appropriate antibiotic.

7. Antibiotics are not given for virus infections.

8. Antivirus medications such as Amantadine (Influenza A and B) or Ribavirin (RSV, hanta virus) and Ganciclovir (CMV, herpes) are available and only given to those whose infections have been identified and typed.

9. If the patient is very sick, he or she should be admitted to the hospital.

10. Intravenous (IV) fluids started.

11. Oxygen given if levels are low.

12. IV antibiotics started.

13. If one has TB or other dangerous forms of Pneumonia, isolate from other patients.

14. If unable to breathe, respiratory support is provided via mechanical ventilation (machine breathes for you).

15. A respiratory therapist may be needed to work with the patient.

16. Follow up laboratory tests and X-Rays are done to check treatments.

17. Medical follow up after discharge and a repeat X-Ray in 6-9 weeks.