Pneumonia can i go to work

You will probably not be given antibiotics if the cause is likely to be a virus, such as coronavirus. This is because antibiotics do not work for viral infections. You may also be given fluids intravenously through a drip, and you may need oxygen to help breathing.

In serious cases of pneumonia, breathing assistance through a ventilator in an intensive care unit ICU may be required. To do this, an instrument called a bronchoscope may be used to look into your airways and lungs so that the object can be located and removed. This procedure is known as a bronchoscopy. Page last reviewed: 30 June Next review due: 30 June Treatment - Pneumonia Contents Overview Treatment. After starting treatment, your symptoms should steadily improve.

However, how quickly they improve will depend on how severe your pneumonia is. As a general guide, after: 1 week — high temperature should have gone 4 weeks — chest pain and mucus production should have substantially reduced 6 weeks — cough and breathlessness should have substantially reduced 3 months — most symptoms should have resolved, but you may still feel very tired fatigue 6 months — most people will feel back to normal Treatment at home Contact your GP or online if your symptoms do not improve within 3 days of starting antibiotics.

Aim to slowly work back into your usual routine with guidance from your doctor and be sure to take note of any signs that the infection may be coming back. Some people feel better in about six weeks, but it can take several months for others to feel better after severe pneumonia," adds Dr. If your recovery is prolonged, a specialized program focused on pulmonary rehabilitation may help get you back on track. If you have pneumonia, the first priority is clearing the infection causing it. How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?

The length of time it takes for you to recover from pneumonia is influenced by: Your age The severity of your illness Whether you have other health conditions The type of pneumonia If you're generally healthy and have only a mild case of pneumonia, your symptoms should begin to improve one to two days after starting treatment. Recovery timelines become more murky for people who have severe pneumonia.

Why does it take so long to recover from pneumonia? You can't see the damage pneumonia causes, but you certainly feel it. In fact, it may take another several months for you to fully heal and regain strength. How to regain your strength after pneumonia While recovering from mild pneumonia, be sure to: Get plenty of sleep Eat a well-balanced diet Slowly work back into your exercise routine "Physical activity can help your lungs regain strength — but go slow.

Pneumonia can be life-threatening if left untreated, especially for certain at-risk people. You should also call your doctor if you suddenly begin to feel worse after having a cold or the flu. This article was contributed by: familydoctor.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Strabismus is an eye disorder. It affects the muscle control in your eyes. Tuberous sclerosis is a rare disease that causes tumors, or growths, in the brain and other organs.

They are…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Fever in Infants and Children. Vomiting and Diarrhea. Home Diseases and Conditions Pneumonia. Table of Contents. What is pneumonia? Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. They include: cough fever bringing up mucus when you cough difficulty breathing chills chest pain You may also sweat, have a headache, and feel very tired.

What is walking pneumonia? What causes pneumonia? Most cases of pneumonia are caused by: They are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults. Bacterial pneumonia usually only affects one area of a lung. Any virus that affects the respiratory tract can cause pneumonia. This includes the flu virus and the virus that causes the common cold.

In children under 1 year old, the respiratory syncytial virus RSV is the most common cause. Viral pneumonia tends to be mild. It often gets better on its own in 1 to 3 weeks. Some fungal infections can lead to pneumonia, especially in people with weakened immune systems. There are also some fungi that occur in the soil in certain parts of the United States that can lead to pneumonia.

How is pneumonia diagnosed? Can pneumonia be prevented or avoided? There are many factors that can raise your risk for developing pneumonia. These include: Your age. People older than 65 are at increased risk because the immune system becomes less able to fight off infection as you age. Your environment. Regularly breathing in dust, chemicals, air pollution, or toxic fumes can damage your lungs.

This makes your lungs more vulnerable to infection. Your lifestyle. Habits such as smoking cigarettes or abusing alcohol can increase your risk. Smoking damages the lungs, while alcohol interferes with how your body fights infection.

Your immune system. If you are hospitalized, especially in an ICU. Being in the ICU intensive care unit raises your risk of pneumonia. Your risk increases if you are using a ventilator to help you breathe.

Ventilators make it hard for you to cough and can trap germs that cause infection in your lungs. If you have recently had major surgery or a serious injury. Recovering from major surgery or injury can make it difficult for you to cough. Recovery also typically requires a lot of bed rest. Lying down on your back for an extended period of time can allow fluid or mucus to gather in your lungs. This gives bacteria a place to grow. People who have any of the following conditions are also at increased risk: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD asthma heart disease emphysema diabetes sickle cell disease You can help prevent pneumonia by doing the following: Get the flu vaccine each year.

People can develop bacterial pneumonia after a case of the flu. You can reduce this risk by getting the yearly flu shot.