Pneumonia Treatments and Medications

Experiencing a cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and high fever can be both physically and mentally exhausting. These are just some of the symptoms that characterize pneumonia, which affects more than 3 million people in the United States every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumonia and influenza combined are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia, or bronchopneumonia, is an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs. When these air sacs become infected, they can fill with fluid or pus, which causes coughing, fever, difficulty breathing, and chills. Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that requires lab tests or imaging to diagnose.

There are several different types of pneumonia infections:

• Bacterial

• Viral

• Fungal

• Mycoplasma

• Aspiration pneumonia

Some people in ICUs who are on breathing machines can get ventilator-associated pneumonia. Pneumonia cases that happen at hospitals or care facilities are referred to as healthcare-acquired pneumonia (HCAP). If the pneumonia occurs outside healthcare facilities, it is sometimes referred to as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

The treatment given for pneumonia will depend on what’s causing it. For example, walking pneumonia, a milder version of bacterial pneumonia is commonly treated with antibiotics. Fungal pneumonia would be treated with an antifungal medication. Pneumonia may be preventable with vaccines but is treatable with antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, cough suppressants, and fever reducers.

Most cases of pneumonia resolve in days or weeks, but proper diagnosis and treatment are required for this to happen. This guide gives an overview of treatments and medications that a healthcare provider may prescribe or recommend for pneumonia.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

Recognizing the symptoms of pneumonia is the first step toward a proper diagnosis. Mucus-producing coughs, fevers, chills, nausea, and vomiting are just some of the symptoms people might experience. If these symptoms persist or get worse, a trip to the doctor’s office is the best way to determine if there’s a pneumonia infection.

If a doctor thinks someone has pneumonia, they will use a stethoscope to listen for bubbling and crackling sounds in the lungs, which indicate pneumonia. A series of one or more tests might be recommended to confirm a diagnosis, which may need to be conducted by a lung disease specialist.

Pneumonia testing

• Blood tests can help confirm an infection and determine the type of organism causing it.

• Chest X-rays can help diagnose and determine the location of a pneumonia infection.

• A pulse oximetry test measures how much oxygen is in the blood, which can indicate pneumonia because it tends to prevent the lungs from moving enough oxygen into the bloodstream.

• A sputum test involves taking a sample of fluid from the throat/lungs to help determine what’s causing the infection.

• For more serious cases of pneumonia, a CT scan, pleural fluid culture sample, or bronchoscopy might be taken at a hospital.

According to the CDC, people over the age of 65, those who smoke, young children, or people with underlying health conditions have a higher risk of getting pneumonia. A primary care provider, infectious disease doctor, respiratory therapist, or pulmonologist may ask the following questions to help confirm a diagnosis:

• When did you first start experiencing symptoms?

• Do you smoke?

• Have you had pneumonia before, and if so, in which lung?

• Have you recently been exposed to chemicals or toxic substances?

• Are your symptoms continuous or sporadic?

• Have you had any vaccines?

Pneumonia treatment options

Ideally, it’s better to prevent pneumonia than treat it. The odds of preventing pneumonia can be increased by getting a pneumococcal vaccine, by not smoking, and by improving immune system strength. If someone does get an infection, the treatment for it will depend on the type of pneumonia.

The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae causes the majority of bacterial infections (lung abscesses) that lead to pneumonia. For this reason, pneumonia is commonly treated with antibiotics, and symptoms are managed with fever reducers and occasionally with cough suppressants. Sometimes, supportive care treatments like IV fluids and oxygen therapy are needed.

If pneumonia goes untreated, it can lead to pleural effusion, an excessive collection of fluid in the lungs. This condition can be life-threatening and may result in a trip to the intensive care unit, which is why it’s important to seek treatment if you believe you have pneumonia.

Many people choose to supplement traditional pneumonia treatments with natural and home remedies. While home remedies won’t necessarily cure pneumonia, they can help alleviate symptoms like coughing, fever, or chills. Staying hydrated helps get rid of mucus in the lungs, and taking supplements like garlic and turmeric boosts the immune system to help fight off infection.

Pneumonia medications

Bacterial pneumonia is frequently treated with antibiotics, which work by stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics can be taken orally or given intravenously by a healthcare professional. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include Cipro, Levaquin, and Oracea. Some side effects associated with antibiotics include diarrhea, nerve damage, and allergic reactions.

Doctors will sometimes recommend cough suppressants and fever reducers to help treat pneumonia symptoms. Analgesic pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be purchased over the counter. Some cough medicines can be purchased OTC as well, but if the cough is bad enough, a cough suppressant like codeine might be necessary.

Viral pneumonia, or pneumonia caused by a fungus, may require the prescription of antiviral and antifungal medications. Relenza (zanamivir) is one example of a popular antiviral, and fluconazole is commonly prescribed as an antifungal.

What is the best medication for pneumonia?

There is no one universal pneumonia medication that’s best for everyone. Individual symptoms and responses to treatment vary. A doctor can determine the best medication for pneumonia based on an individual’s symptoms, medical history, and response to treatments. Here’s an overview of popular medications that a doctor may prescribe.

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Best medications for pneumonia