Home care for bacterial pneumonia includes:

• Stop smoking
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Use a vaporizer or humidifier.
• Perform deep breathing exercises.
• Acetaminophen for pain and fever control
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain and fever control:
• Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, NeoProfen)
• Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Oruvail)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve)
• Take nonprescription cough medications:
• Dextromethorphan
• Take prescribed antibiotics as directed:
• Don't skip doses of your medication. This makes them less effective.
• Don't stop taking your medication just because you feel better.
• If you feel worse, talk to your doctor before you stop your medication.
• Be aware of the common side effects that may be caused by your medication.

Home treatment of a cough in adults with bacterial pneumonia includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Do not smoke and avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Raise the head of your bed at night and sleep on your left side: this minimizes acid reflux.
• Use throat lozenges.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce your ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness. Do not take cough medication if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take cough medication if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Talk to your doctor before you take cough medicine if you have asthma, COPD, emphysema, heart disease or high blood pressure.

Home treatment of a cough in children with bacterial pneumonia includes:

• Avoid respiratory irritants, such as pollution, pollen, mold, dust and chemical fumes
• Change A/C and furnace filters regularly.
• Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
• Drink warm liquids to relieve coughing spasms.
• Use throat lozenges, but do not use them in children under 5 years of age.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Cough medicines rarely reduce coughing.
• Cough medications that contain dextromethorphan may reduce a dry cough.
• Cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin) may make it easier to cough up phlegm.
• Guaifenesin is often combined with dextromethorphan (Robitussin-DM).

• Contact your doctor before using cough medicine in a child less than 6 years old.
• A cough can help clear infected mucus from the lungs. Suppressing the cough may reduce the child's ability to fight the infection.
• Cough medicine can cause drowsiness.
• Talk to the doctor before you give cough medicine to a child who has asthma, lung disease, heart disease or kidney disease.

Common medications used for fever in adults with bacterial pneumonia include:

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Adult dosing is 2 regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours or 2 extra-strength (500 mg) every 6 hours.
• Maximum dose is 4,000 mg per day.
• Avoid this drug if you have alcoholism, liver disease or an allergy to the drug. See the package instructions.
• Common brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and many others.

• Aspirin decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is two regular strength (325 mg) every 4 hours with food.
• There are numerous products that contain aspirin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours.
• Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day without a doctor's recommendation.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 200 or 220 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Aleve.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Ketoprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Adult dosing is 12.5 mg every 4-6 hours with food.
• Do not exceed 75 mg per day.
• Its brand name is Orudis KT.
• Follow the package instructions and NSAID precautions (below).

• Avoid using alcohol when taking any of these medications.
• Do not mix prescription and non-prescription NSAIDS unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• NSAIDS can interact with other blood thinners, such as Coumadin, and cause bleeding complications.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Ask your doctor before using an NSAID if you have a history of:
• Allergy to aspirin
• Asthma
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Stomach ulcers
• Esophageal ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease

Common medications used at home for fever in children with bacterial pneumonia include:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

• Acetaminophen decreases fever and pain, but does not help inflammation.
• Dosing is 10-15 mg per kilogram (5-7 mg per pound) of body weight every 4-6 hours, up to the adult dose.
• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
• Acetaminophen products come in various strengths. Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver disease or an allergy to acetaminophen.
• Common acetaminophen products include Tylenol, Panadol and many others.

• Ibuprofen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Dosing for children over 6 months of age is 7-10 mg per kilogram (4-5 mg per pound) of body weight every 6 hours, up to the adult dose.
• Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
• Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver, kidney, stomach or bleeding problems.
• Brand names include Advil, Motrin and Nuprin.

• Naproxen decreases pain, fever and inflammation.
• It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID).
• Dosing for 13 and older is 200 mg twice a day with food.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Always follow the package instructions.
• Avoid this drug in children with liver, kidney, stomach or bleeding problems.
• The brand name for naproxen is Aleve.

Notify your doctor if you have bacterial pneumonia and any of the following:

• Coughing up blood
• Coughing up brown mucus
• Cyanosis
• Lips or nailbeds turn blue
• Difficulty breathing
• Repeated vomiting
• Symptoms that last longer than 1 week
• Fever over 102 degrees F (38.8 C)
• Worsening chest pain
• Worsening cough
• Worsening fatigue
• Worsening wheezing
• Confusion

Home care for mild wheezing in bacterial pneumonia includes:

• Avoid exposure to smoke.
• Avoid cough medicine.
• Avoid sedative medications.
• Avoid substances that trigger wheezing.
• Drink plenty of liquids to remain hydrated.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.

• Follow asthma home care instructions.
• Learn to use prescribed inhalers correctly.
• Use short-acting inhalers every 20 minutes, or as directed by your doctor.
• Long-acting medications must be used regularly.
• Learn to use a peak flow meter.
• Know the peak flow danger zones.
• Develop a strategy for using your inhaler based on your PEFR reading
• Stay calm during a wheezing attack.

• Green Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 80-100% of personal best represents good control
• Yellow Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is 50-80% of personal best represents a moderate attack
• Red Zone:
• A PEFR reading that is less than 50% of personal best represents a severe attack and may identify the need for treatment in an emergency department.

Last Updated: Dec 1, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
Copyright DSHI Systems, Inc. Powered by: FreeMD - Your Virtual Doctor