Full recovery from community-acquired pneumonia meaning cases caught outside a hospital setting takes an average of 21 days in adults over the age of 50, according to a study published in Patient Related Outcome Measures. Why so long? First, respiratory infections cause your body to produce a lot of mucus as a line of defense against the problematic germs — and your lungs don't do a very effective job getting all that stuff out after the fact. And by slow, he means slow — up to three months depending on the severity of the inflammation, and age can slow things down even more.
That decline includes both a decrease in the number of protective cells overall and the speed of the immune response itself, the National Institutes of Health state. Older people are also more likely to suffer from pneumonia complications such as sepsis , according to the American Lung Association , so it's important not to rush the healing process.
So as Whoopi eases back into her job on The View , we're wishing her a safe and continued recovery. Product Reviews. Home Ideas. Don't rush your recovery! Talk with your doctor about when you can go back to your normal routine. While you are recovering, try to limit your contact with family and friends, to help keep your germs from spreading to other people. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, promptly dispose of tissues in a closed waste container and wash your hands often.
If you have taken antibiotics, your doctor will want to make sure your chest X-ray is normal again after you finish the whole prescription. It may take many weeks for your X-ray to clear up. Want updates on the latest lung health news, including COVID, research, inspiring stories and health information? Thank you! You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association. Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more.
Join over , people who receive the latest news about lung health, including COVID, research, air quality, inspiring stories and resources. Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Pneumonia Treatment and Recovery. Section Menu. How Is Pneumonia Treated? Many factors affect the length of recovery from pneumonia, including:. While there is no exact timeframe to recovery, you can expect to feel the effects of pneumonia anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Learn more about the path to recovery from pneumonia. Pneumonia can be treated from home. The best thing to do is to fill and start your prescribed medication immediately. Not all forms of pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, but those who can treat themselves from home with antibiotics can expect to take them for about five to seven days. Some people may be given a shorter or longer medication regimen; it all depends on what your healthcare provider thinks is suitable for your particular case.
Here is an example of a timeline for recovery from pneumonia:. Here is how age can affect your recovery from pneumonia:. Like everything else in medicine, there are many reasons why it takes so long to recover.
When bacteria enters your body, your body goes into defense mode to remove it. Somewhere along the line, you start your antibiotics, and in a few days, you feel better. This improvement is because the bacteria has been dealt with. However, your body is now in cleanup mode, removing all the debris—like the mucus in your lungs. Your body is using multiple mechanisms to move the mucus out of your lungs.
This movement is why you experience a productive cough. You may also feel fatigued for several months after battling pneumonia.
Regardless of whether you could treat your pneumonia at home or you were hospitalized for pneumonia, the best thing you can do is take care of yourself as you recover. Here are some recovery tips:. This can take a few weeks, resulting in a lingering cough and reduced lung capacity," explains Dr. A more severe case of pneumonia can cause even more damage to your lungs, which can be significant and even permanent in some cases.
Significant weight loss can further contribute to weakness and other health conditions may be aggravated due to the stress placed on the body during illness. These are all things your body will need time to recover from," says Dr. Start with light exercise and stop if your cough worsens or you have trouble breathing.
If a light workout feels okay, you can put a little more effort into your next workout," says Dr. 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.
0コメント