Ginger Or Turmeric Tea
A persistent cough can result in chest pain. Drinking warm tea made with fresh ginger or turmeric root may help reduce this pain.
The roots of both of these plants can have a natural anti-inflammatory effect in the body.
Chop up a thumb sized piece of either root and boil it in a pint or so of water. If a person prefers strong tea, they can boil it for longer or add more of the root. If the flavor is too sharp, they can try adding a spoonful of honey.
Pneumonia Treatments And Covid
According to the World Health Organization , bacterial pneumonia should be treated with antibiotics, which are usually prescribed at a health center.
If your symptoms are severe, it is important that you call your healthcare provideror seek immediate helpto get the proper treatment. Severe symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish color in your lips or fingertips
- A high fever
- Cough with mucus that is severe or worsening
Although COVID-19 is caused by a virus, people with the illness can still develop a superinfection, which is a reinfection or secondary infection caused by bacteria. If this happens, antibiotics will be given to the patient. In order to prevent antibiotic resistance, when antibiotics become useless against bacteria, some researchers have suggested following antimicrobial stewardship principles .
Moreover, because severe cases of pneumonia may require treatment at a hospital, healthcare providers must consider the chance that a patient may acquire coinfections in hospitals. So, to be safe and not add to superinfection among hospitalized patients, antibiotics are warranted.
How Can Recurrent Pneumonia Be Prevented
All childhood immunizations should be provided, including annual influenza immunizations.
Tobacco poisoning should be avoided.
Genetic counseling may be appropriate for families with CF, PCD, and immunodeficiency states.
Many children with chronic lung problems also have nutritional challenges. Supporting adequate nutrition facilitates cough strength and efficiency. Children with CF with good nutrition have a survival advantage over those who do not.
Don’t Miss: Home Remedies To Treat Pneumonia
What Are My Treatment Options
Asymptomatic cases caught by rapid tests don’t require treatment. Just stay isolated to make sure you don’t make someone else sick.
Mild cases can be treated the way you would treat any common cold or flu.
“Making sure you’re in touch with your health-care providers, so they can be helping you monitor your symptoms, letting you know what to watch out for, is always a good idea,” Smart said.
People should look out for breathing issues first and foremost, she said, also warning that gastrointestinal symptoms can lead to dehydration.
For now, most treatments are only available at the hospital.
Canada has ordered oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 patients that can be taken at home to prevent severe disease, but the drugs have not yet been approved by Health Canada.
Why Do Some People Have Pneumonia Without A Fever And Others Have One With A Fever
A fever is a type of immune reaction. It is one of the ways your body tries to fend off an invasion by disease-causing germs. Pneumonia is a type of infection where the invading germs settle down in your lungs. To have a fever with pneumonia, the following sequence of events must happen inside your body.
Any defect in the steps can result in pneumonia without a fever.
There are certain viruses that dont produce fever-causing chemicals. There was a research article published in the Cambridge University Press where they identified such viruses. . Some people have defects in the immune system that causes it fail to recognize the specific triggers. Some people have defects in producing the signal-magnifying chemicals, and are unable to tell the brain to reset the thermostat to start a fever.
Don’t Miss: How Many Times Should You Get A Pneumonia Shot
Complications Caused By Pneumonia
Pneumonia can sometimes have complications. They include:
- pleurisy where the pleura, the thin linings between your lungs and ribcage, become inflamed, leading to chest pain. If you have pleurisy, you are more likely to develop fluid on the lungs.
- fluid on the lungs – about 1 in 10 people with pneumonia develop fluid around the lung, called a pleural effusion which can become infected. This may require a sample of the fluid to be taken by inserting a needle between the ribs under local anaesthetic, and if infected is likely to need a longer course of antibiotics. Occasionally, a tube is inserted into the lung to remove fluid as well.
- a lung abscess a rare complication thats mostly seen in people with a serious pre-existing illness or history of alcohol misuse.
- blood poisoning, also called septicaemia – this is where infection spreads from the lungs to the blood stream. This can cause low blood pressure and a severe illness that might need intensive care treatment.
- respiratory failure this is where pneumonia causes low levels of oxygen in the blood even in people given oxygen. This might also require intensive care treatment.
The vast majority of people recover from pneumonia and return to good health. However, pneumonia can be very serious and some people with severe pneumonia dont survive, despite the best available care. Those who are elderly or have other health problems are most at risk of severe or fatal pneumonia.
How Can I Help Myself Feel Better
If your doctor has prescribed medicine, follow the directions carefully.
You may feel better in a room with a humidifier, which increases the moisture in the air and soothes irritated lungs. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever. If you have a fever and feel uncomfortable, ask the doctor whether you can take over-the-counter medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to bring it down. But don’t take any medicine without checking first with your doctor a cough suppressant, for example, may not allow your lungs to clear themselves of mucus.
And finally, be sure to rest. This is a good time to sleep, watch TV, read, and lay low. If you treat your body right, it will repair itself and you’ll be back to normal in no time.
Recommended Reading: Why Does Pneumonia Cause Diarrhea
Questions About Your Symptoms
Bacterial pneumonia, which is the most common form, tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia, with symptoms that require medical care. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Fever may rise as high as a dangerous 105 degrees F, with profuse sweating and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious.
The symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.
Symptoms may vary in certain populations. Newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection. Or, they may vomit, have a fever and cough, or appear restless, sick, or tired and without energy. Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms. They may even have a lower than normal temperature. Older adults who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness. For individuals that already have a chronic lung disease, those symptoms may worsen.
When to call a doctor
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bacterial Versus Viral Pneumonia In Adults
Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild sometimes called walking pneumonia to severe. How serious your case of pneumonia depends on the particular germ causing pneumonia, your overall health, and your age.
Bacterial pneumonia: Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include:
- High fever
- Tiredness
Additional symptoms appearing about a day later include:
- Higher fever
- Shortness of breath
You May Like: How Can I Treat Pneumonia At Home
How Soon After Treatment For Pneumonia Will I Begin To Feel Better
How soon you will feel better depends on several factors, including:
- Your age
- The cause of your pneumonia
- The severity of your pneumonia
- If you have other at-risk conditions
If you are generally healthy, most symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment. Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually begin to improve within a few days after starting treatment. A cough can last for several weeks. Most people report being tired for about a month after contracting pneumonia.
How To Regain Strength After Pneumonia
If you have pneumonia, the first priority is clearing the infection causing it.
This means following your doctor’s treatment plan very closely. Yes, getting plenty of rest. And, yes, taking every single pill in the bottle of antibiotics your doctor prescribed you if your pneumonia is bacterial in nature.
But, even after your primary symptoms fade away, you may be left feeling lousy, with low energy and/or dealing with a cough that just won’t quit. In some cases, you may feel weak for months.
Read Also: Does Pneumonia Cause Abdominal Pain
Pneumonia Can Be Severe And Should Be Taken Seriously
According to the CDC and the American Thoracic Society, pneumonia:
- Is responsible for sending 1.7 million people to the ER every year
- Causes nearly 50,000 deaths annually
- Is the most common reason for children to be hospitalized
- Is the most common reason for adults to be hospitalized
- Is the most common cause of and septic shock
People Who Are At Risk For Having A Worse Outcome When Suffering From Pneumonia Without A Fever
People who have a defect in the 5th and 6th sequence of events are vulnerable to have pneumonia without a fever with a worse outcome.
There was an important research article published in the BMC Pulmonary Medicine Journal. They reviewed 1,834 patients hospitalized with pneumonia, and analyzed several factors to find out who did better and who did worse. One of the factors was the presence or absence of a fever. When they analyzed the data, it appeared that among hospitalized patients, those patients suffering from pneumonia without a fever seemed to have a worse outcome compared to pneumonia patients who had a fever.
Another medical review article analyzed the data from several clinical trials and patients diagnosed with sepsis and a fever and sepsis without a fever. These patients had several different types of infections, but all of them had sepsis. If you want to learn more about sepsis, you can read this article . To summarize it, sepsis is a condition where people get very sick and overwhelmed with an infection. They also found out that among sick patients with sepsis, those with a fever had a better outcome than those without a fever.
If you have a family member who is elderly and frail, you can not rely on the presence or absence of a fever to decide if they have pneumonia. If he or she appears weaker, sicker, or more confused than usual, you need to call his or her doctor and seek medical attention right away.
You May Like: How Much Does It Cost For A Pneumonia Shot
Pneumonia : Signs And Symptoms
What is pneumonia?Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes the air sacs of the lungs to fill with fluid. This fluid buildup makes it hard for oxygen to enter the bloodstream, creating the symptoms of pneumonia. Viruses and bacteria are the main causes of pneumonia, but on rarer occasions fungus and parasites can cause an infection as well.During or after a virus like a cold or the flu, your immune system is more susceptible to additional infections, which is why pneumonia can be a flu-related complication to watch for.Signs and symptoms of pneumoniaDepending on the cause of pneumonia, symptoms can come on quickly, or more gradually. Symptoms include:
- A productive cough, meaning mucus from the lungs comes up with the cough. Sometimes mucus can be a greenish color, or tinged slightly with blood.
- Fever
- Feeling short of breath fast, shallow breathing
- Chest pain that gets worse when coughing
- General feeling of tiredness and feeling weak
“The overall care I received was excellent! I also appreciate your affiliation with Yale New Haven Hospital.”
“Throughout the visit I felt like the staff really cared. The Doctor took his time talking with me about my symptoms, and I felt like he listened to all my concerns and took that into consideration when recommending the right treatment. Thank you!”
Can I Prevent Pneumonia
The routine vaccinations that most people receive as kids help prevent certain types of pneumonia and other infections. If you have a chronic illness, such as sickle cell disease, you may have received extra vaccinations and disease-preventing antibiotics to help prevent pneumonia and other infections caused by bacteria.
People should get a pneumococcal vaccination if they have diseases that affect their immune system , are 65 years or older, or are in other high-risk groups. Depending on the bugs that are likely to affect them, these people also may get antibiotics to prevent pneumonia, as well as antiviral medicine to prevent or lessen the effects of viral pneumonia.
Doctors recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot. That’s because someone with the flu could then come down with pneumonia. Call your doctor’s office or check your local health department to see when these vaccines are available.
Because pneumonia is often caused by germs, a good way to prevent it is to keep your distance from anyone you know who has pneumonia or other respiratory infections. Use separate drinking glasses and eating utensils wash your hands often with warm, soapy water and avoid touching used tissues and paper towels.
You also can stay strong and help avoid some of the illnesses that might lead to pneumonia by eating as healthily as possible, getting a minimum of 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night, and not smoking.
Don’t Miss: Causes Of Pneumonia In Children
When To See A Doctor
Anyone who has difficulty breathing should seek medical help for diagnosis and treatment.
It is essential to follow any medical treatment plan that the doctor recommends and request additional help if the symptoms worsen or do not improve after a few days.
A doctor can also advise on some ways to prevent pneumonia from developing again.
It is not always possible to prevent pneumonia, but some lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of developing it or experiencing severe symptoms.
These include:
- avoiding air pollution, if possible
- managing stress levels and getting enough sleep
- practicing good hand-washing to reduce the risk of infection
- following any instructions the doctor recommends for staying healthy
In the case of COVID-19, experts advise physical distancing from other people to prevent the spread of the virus.
Healthful lifestyle habits can help strengthen the body to fight off infections, including those that lead to pneumonia.
A Lukewarm Bath Or Compress
Soaking the body in lukewarm water may help cool it down.
If it is not possible to take a bath, apply towels or washcloths to the body after dunking them in lukewarm water and wringing them out. This may help the body cool. When the towels warm up, dip them in the water again and reapply.
Chills are often a secondary symptom of a fever. The following home remedies may help ease chills:
Recommended Reading: How Much Is A Pneumonia Shot At Walmart
Is Pneumonia Without A Fever Always Dangerous
No, absolutely not.
If you go back to the list of things that are needed to have a fever with pneumonia, the people with the worst outcome when suffering from pneumonia without a fever are the ones who are unable to have a fever due to problems in step 5 or step 6 of the sequence. These are those who cannot effectively reset the thermostat or those who cant generate enough heat for a fever. You may have a mild viral pneumonia without a fever and you may not even know about it.
Among patients with mild, community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, a fever may or may not be present. Some of them have only had a cough, chest discomfort, and an increased heart rate. Others may only have weakness, dizziness, and a cough. When they only have mild symptoms, they can be treated with antibiotics at home regardless of whether they have pneumonia without a fever or with a fever.
Pneumonia is a disease that may only cause mild discomfort in some people, but can be a serious life-threatening illness in others. If you want to read about mild pneumonia and its treatment, you can read this other article.
Here at PatientEducationMD, our goal is to explore different aspects of common but potentially serious medical issues, and pneumonia is one of the subjects we are exploring in great detail. If you would like to see a list of all of our articles on pneumonia, you can go to our Diseases and Conditions page and click on pneumonia.
References: