Bronchial Pneumonia Treatment

1. Depends on the type of pneumonia

2. The patient might be hospitalized, if he has a high fever, shortness of breath, or is in shock.

3. If treating an outpatient, care has to be taken to monitor his condition and thus ensuring that it improves gradually.

4. For mild uncomplicated cases, recommended treatment is bed rest, plenty of fluids, and Tylenol for pain.

5. Antibiotic pills can be given if the patient does not appear too sick.

6. General antibiotics like erythromycin may be given till the laboratory culture tests are done. The antibiotic can then be changed as per the type of pneumonia.

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7. Antibiotics are not given for virus infections, as antibiotics have no effect on viruses.

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

9. Severe cases of pneumonia require the patient to be admitted to the hospital.

10. Intravenous (IV) fluids are started and oxygen is given if levels are low.

11. IV antibiotics are started.

12. If the patient has TB or other dangerous forms of Pneumonia, it is best to isolate the patient from other patients.

13. If the patient has difficulty in breathing, respiratory support is provided via mechanical ventilation (machine breathes for you).

14. A respiratory therapist may work with the patient.

15. To check the treatment whether it is effective, follow up laboratory tests and X-Rays are done.

16. After discharge of the patient, medical follow up and repeat X-ray in 6-9 weeks are done.