General measures | The therapy of pneumonia

General measures

In addition to the targeted control of the pathogens, for example with antibiotics, there are also some general measures that contribute to a faster abating of a pneumonia. These include in particular sufficient fluid intake. High fever leads to increased sweating, which dries out the body.

It is therefore important to drink more than normal during pneumonia. Even viscous mucus is easier to cough up due to increased fluid intake. Furthermore, sufficient sleep for regeneration should be ensured. It is also important to take care of your body during the day. However, strict bed rest should be avoided if possible.

The duration of the therapy

The duration of therapy depends on the type and severity of the pneumonia. In general, antibiotic therapy should be limited to 7-10 days if possible. Severe forms, however, occasionally require longer treatment periods, and it may also be necessary to change the medication if no effect has been observed. The therapy of the accompanying symptoms can also be applied over a longer period of time, if possible until the symptoms subside.

When do you have to go to hospital?

The so-called CURB-65 score is suitable for assessing whether a patient with pneumonia needs to be admitted to hospital.CURB-65 is an acronym: C stands for Confusion, U stands for Urea, the level of urea in the blood, R stands for Respiratory Rate, B stands for Blood Pressure and 65 stands for an age above 65 years. For each letter mentioned there are limit values, if they are exceeded or undercut there are points, so that a patient can score between 0 and 5 points. The higher the point value, the higher the mortality of the respective patient and the more likely hospital treatment is necessary. With 0 points, outpatient treatment is possible; with 1-2 points, inpatient admission is necessary; even higher values require therapy in the intensive care unit.

The artificial coma

Only very rarely does a patient have to be put into an artificial coma as a result of pneumonia. This may be necessary especially for patients with severe pre-existing conditions and very old people. In the most severe cases, pneumonia can develop into a so-called ARDS or ALI.

These forms refer to a severe stress reaction of the lungs or an acute injury to the lung tissue caused by the inflammation and can be potentially fatal. Treatment takes place in the intensive care unit, sometimes under artificial respiration and nutrition. The artificial coma serves to protect the body and also to shield the patient from this type of treatment, which is associated with severe anxiety and stress.