Treatment for Pneumonia in Elderly People Whether the disease is viral or bacterial, pneumonia is treated with rest, nutritious food, and lots of fluids, as well as medication to treat bothersome symptoms like a fever or pain. Viral pneumonia may also be treated with antiviral medications.

How do you treat pneumonia in elderly at home?

How to Treat Pneumonia in Seniors

1. Rest. Your body is able to fight off germs when you get adequate sleep.
2. Hydration. Keeping your body well hydrated can prevent the build-up of mucus in the lungs.
3. Follow doctor’s orders. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria.

How long does it take for an elderly person to recover from pneumonia?

Recovery of pneumonia in older adults can be a long process. According to one 2017 article, although some recover in 6 weeks, it may take as long as 12 weeks for others. It is important to rest for as long as possible during recovery. The fever should have resolved.

Can an 80 year old survive pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be life-threatening to seniors exposed to bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is most dangerous for people older than age 65 because seniors tend to have health issues or weakened immune systems.

What antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia in elderly?

The treatment should include a respiratory fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin or moxifloxacin) as monotherapy or the combination of a β-lactamic (third-generation cephalosporin, ertapenem or ampicillin/sulbactam) medication and a macrolide (azithromycin or clarithromycin).

What are the danger signs of pneumonia?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rapid, shallow breathing.
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
• Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue.

What are the 4 stages of pneumonia?

Stage 1: Congestion. Stage 2: Red hepatization. Stage 3: Grey hepatization. Stage 4: Resolution.

Can an 85 year old recover from pneumonia?

Most seniors who develop pneumonia recover from it. But how long it takes to recover depends on many factors, including what bacteria or virus caused it and whether the person is frail or has additional health conditions that make recovery more difficult.

How can you tell if an elderly person has pneumonia?

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) Cough, which may produce phlegm.

Is walking good for pneumonia?

To complement and extend these findings, we have added evidence that walking for >1 h daily can reduce pneumonia-related mortality even among older people who lack other exercise habits.

What Antibiotics treat pneumonia?

Healthy adults under 65 years with pneumonia are typically treated with a combination of amoxicillin plus a macrolide like Zithromax (azithromycin) or sometimes a tetracycline like Vibramycin (doxycycline).

What is the best antibiotic to treat Covid pneumonia?

Our findings revealed that various antibiotics such as azithromycin, doxycycline, clarithromycin, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, benzylpenicillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefepime, vancomycin, meropenem, and cefuroxime were

What happens if pneumonia doesn’t respond to antibiotics?

Pneumonia that does not respond to treatment poses a clinical dilemma and is a common concern. If patients do not improve within 72 hours, an organism that is not susceptible or is resistant to the initial empiric antibiotic regimen should be considered.

What is the most effective treatment for pneumonia?

The main treatment for pneumonia is antibiotics, along with rest and drinking plenty of water. If you have chest pain, you can take pain killers such as paracetamol. Treatment depends on how severe your pneumonia is. Treatment with antibiotics should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Can an old person survive pneumonia?

Pneumonia in the elderly happens fast and the prognosis is poor, and elderly are susceptible to severe Pneumonia. The mortality rate for severe pneumonia is as high as 20% [4]. The principal cause of the death is respiratory insufficiency [5].

What is the first line treatment for pneumonia?

First-line antibiotics that might be selected include the macrolide antibiotics azithromycin (Zithromax) or clarithromycin (Biaxin XL); or the tetracycline known as doxycycline.