Pneumonia Treatment Ankara

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. Bacteria, primarily, viruses, and rarely fungi, are the causative agents. The development of pneumonia is more related to risk factors that weaken the body's resistance rather than direct transmission.

What Causes Pneumonia?

Pneumonia occurs when the body's resistance is compromised, allowing microbes from the individual's own mouth, throat,or digestive tract to reach the lungs. These microbes, which do not usually cause disease, can lead to pneumonia in individuals with weakened immune systems.

What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumonia include chills, shivering, fever rising to 39-40°C, cough, production of purulent (green, yellow or rust-colored) sputum and chest pain. Some types of pneumonia may have a slow onset with symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, followed by dry cough, fever, nausea, vomiting and headache.

Is Pneumonia a Dangerous Disease?

Pneumonia can be a dangerous disease if treatment is delayed. Despite effective vaccination policies today, pneumonia still occurs frequently and leads to significant losses.

How is Pneumonia Diagnosed?

Pneumonia is diagnosed by a chest X-ray in patients who present with complaints of chills, shivering, fever, cough and dirty sputum. In severe cases and in patients requiring hospitalization, further tests such as blood tests, computed tomography (CT) and sputum tests may be necessary. Examination of a sputum sample is needed to identify the microbe causing pneumonia, although it is often not possible to determine the exact pathogen.

How is Pneumonia Treated?

Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. In addition, adequate fluid intake and rest are recommended. Pain relievers and antipyretics may be used when necessary. Antibiotic treatment should be started as soon as possible after pneumonia is diagnosed. The choice of antibiotics is made based on factors such as the patient's age, chronic diseases and the severity of pneumonia. Different treatments may be needed for patients who require hospitalization.

In very severe cases, intensive care and respiratory support may be required. The duration of treatment varies depending on the initial severity of the disease, the responsible microbe, whether there is an accompanying illness and the patient's individual response. Generally, it is recommended to continue antibiotics for 5-7 days after the fever subsides. However, in some cases, the treatment duration may need to be extended to 10-14 days or sometimes up to 21 days depending on the type of microbe involved.

What Should be Considered After Pneumonia Treatment?

• The antibiotics prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly for the recommended duration.
• Plenty of fluids, especially water should be consumed.
• Healthy eating with the consumption of seasonal vegetables and fruits is essential and rest is crucial.
• Smoking should be avoided.
• Situations that weaken the body's resistance, such as lack of sleep and alcohol consumption should be avoided.
• Chronic underlying diseases should be controlled.
• Pneumococcal and annual influenza vaccinations are recommended.

Pneumonia Vaccine

• The most common microbe that causes pneumonia is pneumococcus. The pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia vaccine) is recommended in the following situations:
• Everyone aged 65 and over
• People with chronic diseases (such as COPD, bronchiectasis, heart and vascular diseases, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, transplant patients, and those receiving chemotherapy)
• Patients with recurrent pneumonia
• Those who have undergone pneumonectomy (surgical removal of a lung)
• Chronic alcohol users
• Those with spleen dysfunction or who have had their spleen removed
• People with immunodeficiency or those receiving immunosuppressive treatment (such as organ transplant recipients or cancer patients receiving chemotherapy)
• Patients with cerebrospinal fluid leakage
• The pneumococcal vaccine is administered intramuscularly in the arm. It is quite safe, and serious side effects are rarely observed. A single dose or two doses throughout life are usually sufficient.

Pneumonia Medications

Antibiotics are the primary treatment for bacterial pneumonia. For viral pneumonia, antiviral medications are given, and for fungal infections, antifungal drugs are prescribed.

Does Pneumonia Recur?

Pneumonia may recur in certain situations, including:

• Advanced age
• Smoking and alcohol use
• Presence of underlying chronic diseases (such as heart failure, diabetes, kidney and liver dysfunction)
• Patients with suppressed immune systems (such as transplant or cancer patients)
• Certain neurological diseases (such as advanced dementia, Alzheimer's, stroke, with impaired swallowing function)
• Influenza outbreaks

Does Pneumonia Cause Permanent Lung Damage?

Severe and recurrent pneumonia can cause permanent damage to the lungs.

How Long Does Pneumonia Treatment Last?

In cases of non-severe pneumonia that do not require hospitalization, a 1-week treatment is usually sufficient. In severe cases or those requiring hospitalization, the treatment duration ranges from 14 to 21 days.

Does Pneumonia Heal Quickly?

The symptoms of pneumonia typically improve within a week, but radiological improvement in the lungs may take 4-6 weeks. Therefore, a lack of improvement in the lung X-ray after one week should not cause concern.

What Should be Done if Pneumonia Does Not Heal?

If the fever does not decrease 72 hours after starting pneumonia treatment, consult your doctor. If there is no change in the lung X-ray 4-6 weeks after pneumonia, a CT scan may be recommended. A CT scan can help investigate causes of obstructive pneumonia (such as a tumor or foreign body) or interstitial lung diseases.