How do you treat pneumonia without antibiotics?

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have and how severe it is, and if you have other chronic diseases. The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and prevent complications.

Most people can be treated at home by following these steps:

Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.
Get lots of rest. Have someone else do household chores.
Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. Coughing is one way your body works to get rid of an infection. If your cough is preventing you from getting the rest you need, ask your doctor about steps you can take to get relief.
Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
Make sure you take antibiotics as prescribed.

If your pneumonia becomes so severe that you are treated in the hospital, you may receive fluids and antibiotics in your veins, oxygen therapy, and possibly breathing treatments. You are more likely to be admitted to the hospital if you:

Have another serious medical problem.
Have severe symptoms.
Are unable to care for yourself at home, or are unable to eat or drink.
Are older than 65 or a young child.
Have been taking antibiotics at home and are not getting better.

Viral Pneumonia: Typical antibiotics will not work for viral pneumonia; sometimes, however, your doctor may use antiviral medication. Viral pneumonia usually improves in one to three weeks.

Bacterial Pneumonia: Patients with mild pneumonia who are otherwise healthy are sometimes treated with oral macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin). Patients with other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema), kidney disease, or diabetes are often given more powerful or higher dose antibiotics.

In addition to antibiotics, treatment includes: proper diet and oxygen to increase oxygen in the blood when needed. In some patients, medication to ease chest pain and to provide relief from a violent cough may be necessary.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia: These are pneumonias caused by germs intermediate between viruses and bacteria. These are frequently mild, but occasionally can be severe and prolonged.

Recovering from Pneumonia

A healthy young person may feel back to normal within a week of recovery from pneumonia. For middle-aged or older people, it may be weeks before they regain their usual strength and feeling of well-being.

A person recovering from mycoplasma pneumonia may be weak for an extended period of time. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward full recovery and to avoid relapse. Don’t rush recovery!

If you have taken antibiotics, your doctor will want to make sure your chest X-ray becomes normal again after you finish the whole prescription. It may take many weeks for your X-ray to clear up.

Possible Pneumonia Complications

People who may be more likely to have complications from pneumonia include:

Older adults or very young children.
People whose immune system does not work well.
People with other, serious medical problems such as diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver.

Possible complications include:

Respiratory failure, which requires a breathing machine or ventilator.
Sepsis, a condition in which there is uncontrolled inflammation in the body, which may lead to widespread organ failure.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe form of respiratory failure.
Lung abscesses – these are infrequent, but serious, complications of pneumonia. They occur when pockets of pus form inside or around the lung. These may sometimes need to be drained with surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

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