Pneumonia

Treatment

The main treatment for pneumonia is an antibiotic. A younger or healthier person can be treated safely with antibiotics at home and can feel better in a few days. Some people are at higher risk of complications and may need to be hospitalized for two days to a week. They include people who are older than 60 or have other diseases such as congestive heart failure, active cancer, chronic kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In addition to antibiotics, other treatments for pneumonia include rest, adequate fluids, and supplemental oxygen to raise the level of oxygen in the blood.