Antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia

The prescription may be taken by mouth, while people who are more unwell may need hospital assessment and medicine through a vein. Antibiotics do not treat viral pneumonia.

Pneumonia is an infection of lung tissue. A clinician combines symptoms and examination findings with relevant tests to judge whether bacteria are a likely cause and whether treatment can be managed at home. A cough alone cannot identify the organism responsible.

Antibiotic choice can depend on allergies, pregnancy, age, kidney or liver health, recent antibiotic use, other medicines, and whether infection began in the community or during healthcare. A sample of sputum or blood may sometimes help refine treatment, particularly when illness is severe or improvement is not occurring.

Take each dose according to the label and complete the prescribed course unless the treating clinician changes it. Check whether the medicine should be taken with food, and ask a pharmacist before combining it with antacids, supplements, or new medicines. Never share antibiotics or save them for another respiratory illness.

Rest, drink enough fluid unless you have been advised to restrict it, and avoid smoking or vaping while the lungs recover. Fever and breathing may improve before cough and tiredness settle. Follow the clinician's reassessment plan, especially if you have another lung condition or a weakened immune system.

Contact the prescriber if doses are being vomited, side effects prevent treatment, or symptoms are worsening rather than following the expected recovery pattern. A new rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, or faintness after a dose can signal an allergic reaction and needs urgent help.

Seek emergency care for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, collapse, extreme drowsiness, or chest pain that is severe or persistent. Do not wait for the next antibiotic dose to see whether these warning signs settle.

Prompt reassessment is also needed when breathlessness increases, fever returns after easing, fluids cannot be kept down, urine output falls markedly, or there is coughing of blood. Older adults and people with significant heart, lung, kidney, or immune conditions may deteriorate without dramatic fever.

Confirm the dose schedule, course length, food instructions, important interactions, and what to do if a dose is missed. Ask which changes should trigger reassessment, whether follow-up examination or imaging is planned, and how existing inhalers or other long-term medicines should be used during recovery.