General information on how to treat pneumonia

by Groshan Fabiola

In the US there are many cases of pneumonia, sometimes the situation of those hospitalized for pneumonia is not that severe, but safety is applied in treating pacients so thaey are held under observation in the hospital, although some of these cases may be treated efficiently at home.

How to classify in order of severity

Class 1 includes least risk factors so is least severe, class 5 regarded as most severe. Patients in class one with severe symptoms need to be hospitalized those in class 5 are treated as outpatients. In a simple physical examination patients with low risk categories include the symptoms: they are under age 50, have no major illnesses, no seroius symptoms . Those who need to be hospitalized are: any infant under a month, young adults with alcoholism or severe psychiatric conditions, with abnormal heart rhythms, who are vomiting heavily.

Some other tests need to be done: laboratory test results, X-ray findings, demographics. Home care is possible even in severe cases if the caregivers give the chest therapy and antibiotics intravenous and if good support and home nursing services are assured.

Home Treatment Some of the patients may need only homecare. Patients treated at home with oral antibiotics need to drink plenty of liquids. Coughing has its role in clearing the lungs. Mild pain is treated with aspirin (adults only), acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brands), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Rufen). For severe pain we should have administered codeine. Aromatic oils containing oregano, thyme, and rosewood are pleasant and may destroy S. Pneumoniae. In hospital the standard treatment is intravenous administration of antibiotics for five to eight days or two to three days in uncomplicated cases. Most patients are stable after three days and can leave the hospital. Temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygenation, mental function should achieve normal limits before the patient is externed from the hospital and doctors monitor those functions regularly.

Chest Therapy Chest therapy consists of spirometry and chest tapping to loosen the mucus and move it out of the lungs. The patient uses an incentive spirometer at regular intervals, the spirometer is used to exhale through the tube and inhale as strong as possible. This helps the patient to exercise the lungs and to determine its lung function. When the patient is coughing as deeply as possible he eliminates the sputum.

Worldwide, pneumonia it's a leading cause of death in children, many of them younger than a year old. Because the disease can be very serious, it's best to try to prevent infection(flu or cold) in the first place. Signs and symptoms can vary greatly, sometimes it doesn't seem to be pneumonia and the treatment is not taken seroiusly.


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