How is pneumonia treated?

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on April 30, 2025
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Pneumonia is a respiratory tract infectious disease that requires the timely selection of antimicrobial drugs and anti-inflammatory treatment, as well as the choice of symptomatic treatment medications. Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, headache, nausea, sore throat, cough, expectoration, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. The pathogens causing the infection vary, and so do the antibiotics used to treat them. For common bacterial infections, penicillin antibiotics or cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs can be selected. During an acute fever phase, antipyretic analgesics may be chosen or physical cooling methods may be employed.

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The difference between Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia

Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia are clinically similar, making them difficult to distinguish from each other as both have similar symptoms and treatment options. Treatments such as erythromycin and quinolones can be used for both. The main difference between them lies in the laboratory tests. If tests for pneumonia, Mycoplasma antibodies or antigens are positive, then it is diagnosed as Mycoplasma pneumonia. If tests for Chlamydia pneumonia antibodies are positive, or if a throat swab test detects Chlamydia, then it is diagnosed as Chlamydia pneumonia.

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Symptoms of pneumonia cough in children

Pneumonia in infants commonly occurs in young children, especially those under two years of age. The onset of the disease is usually rapid, starting with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections that gradually evolve into more pronounced respiratory symptoms. The cough is frequent, initially a dry, irritating cough, that progressively worsens as the disease advances. In cases of severe pneumonia, the cough may actually lessen. During the recovery phase, the cough gradually diminishes and rattling sounds can be heard in the throat due to mucus. After the mucus is cleared, there may still be occasional bouts of irritating dry cough, which will slowly subside.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
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What department does pneumonia go to?

What department should I go to for pneumonia? Pneumonia, as the name suggests, is a lung disease, which is to say it is a disease of our respiratory system. Therefore, the most appropriate department to visit would be the Department of Respiratory Medicine. If the patient's condition is relatively stable, they can visit the outpatient Respiratory Medicine department. Of course, there are a small number of patients whose condition is very critical, and in such cases, they must first visit the Department of Emergency Medicine. The doctors in Emergency Medicine will decide based on the patient's condition whether their next step should be to go to Respiratory Medicine, be admitted for in-hospital treatment, remain in the emergency for observation, or need to be admitted to the ICU for further emergency treatment.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How many doses are there for the pneumonia vaccine?

Currently, there are two types of vaccines commonly used to prevent pneumococcal diseases. One type is the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, suitable for high-risk populations over two years old. The other type includes the 7-valent or 13-valent conjugate vaccines, used for vaccinating infants under two years old. The vaccination schedule for the 7-valent or 13-valent vaccines follows a "three plus one" program, which means three primary immunization doses with at least one month between each dose, followed by a booster dose. For the 23-valent vaccine, high-risk individuals over two years old generally require only a single dose; however, immunocompromised patients may need a booster shot, typically recommended five years after the initial vaccination.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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Is bronchopneumonia the same as pneumonia?

Some patients might ask if bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia. Undoubtedly, bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia, categorized anatomically. It can be classified into lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, and interstitial pneumonia. During X-ray imaging, bronchopneumonia typically shows as irregular patchy shadows distributed along the lung markings, with soft and blurry edges, without signs of consolidation. It often occurs in the lower lobes of both lungs. The treatment principles for bronchopneumonia are similar to those for common pneumonia, mainly involving the use of antibiotics, cough suppressants and expectorants, fever reduction, and other symptomatic treatments.