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The treatment for community acquired pneumonia is determined by the organism responsible for the infection. If the cause is confirmed as bacterial and if the infection is not severe, then it can be cured by oral antibiotics at home itself. If on the other hand, the infection is severe and the patient is having difficulty breathing, or is suffering from other chronic conditions, then intravenous (administered into the vein) antibiotics could be required and therefore hospitalization would be required. If the infection is viral, then the only treatment would be to provide relief from symptoms through supportive care (fever reduction with acetaminophen), as there is no cure for a virus.
There are various treatment options and courses available and the specific drugs prescribed by doctors could differ. Antibiotic drug resistance in a precise area and clinical expertise or preference may determine a doctors choice of drugs to treat CAP.
At the first visit, the doctor may ask you about your past medical history and may conduct a physical examination. A chest x-ray could be recommended. The doctor would then gauge if the infection is life threatening. A laboratory test of sputum, urine and blood may be advised. Doctors normally prescribe "empiric therapy" which is based on the suspected cause (either bacteria, virus, fungi) as the exact organism causing the infection has not been identified at the start of the treatment. Once the exact cause of the infection has been identified, therapy can be tailored to treat that specific organism.
When CAP patients require hospitalization, IV antibiotics along with oxygen therapy would be initiated to assist in breathing. Studies have confirmed that bacterial CAP can be effectively treated within 5 to 14 days of antibiotics. However, if the cause of infection is identified to be from specific bacterial organisms like Legionella or Pseudomonas or fungal organisms, then the duration of therapy could be prolonged. It is important to complete the course of antibiotics prescribed by the physician. Often people stop taking medicines once they feel better. This leads to antibiotic resistance and causes an even more severe relapse of the infection. When an organism develops a resistance to the antibiotic, it also has the potential to prevent the antibiotic from showing positive results in treating others with the same infection within the family or community.
Measures to be taken at home include:
- Drinking plenty of fluids to wash away secretions and to bring up phlegm.
- Get lots of rest. Assign the cooking and even doing the light work around the house to someone else.
- Control fever with acetaminophen or aspirin. Please note that Aspirin must NOT be given to children.
For patients who have been hospitalized, respiratory treatments to eliminate secretions may be required. Steroid medications may also be used to reduce wheezing in case of underlying lung disease.
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