Pneumonia drugs are used to treat infection and prevent complications of pneumonia. The administration of pneumonia medication is generally adjusted to the type and severity of pneumonia. This is important so that treatment can take place effectively.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. This condition, also known as pneumonia, is characterized by one or both lungs filling with fluid or pus. When experiencing pneumonia, a person may experience symptoms of cough, fever, chills, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Pneumonia is generally more at risk for infants and children, the elderly, and people who have weak immune systems, for example due to side effects of chemotherapy, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS.
Several types of pneumonia drugs according to the cause
Pneumonia is a disease that needs to be treated by a doctor. When you feel the symptoms of pneumonia, you should immediately consult a doctor so that the doctor can determine the type of pneumonia drug that is right for you.
In diagnosing pneumonia and determining the cause, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting examinations such as blood tests, chest X-rays, to examination of sputum or sputum culture, if necessary.
After the diagnosis of pneumonia is confirmed and the cause is known, doctors can treat pneumonia with the following drugs:
1. Antibiotic drug
Pneumonia is most often caused by a bacterial infection. Pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, for example azithromycin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, penicillin, or doxycycline.
The choice of antibiotics used needs to be adjusted to the type of germ that causes pneumonia. Antibiotics can be given by a doctor in oral drug preparations, such as tablets and capsules, or by injection.
To treat severe pneumonia, doctors will generally recommend that the patient undergo hospital treatment and the doctor can give antibiotics in the form of an injection through an IV.
2. Antiviral drugs
Influenza viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults. Meanwhile, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of pneumonia in infants and children. However, in some cases, pneumonia can also be caused by infection with the Corona virus (COVID-19).
Pneumonia caused by a viral infection usually lasts a shorter time than pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection. Pneumonia caused by a virus usually goes away on its own within a few days or weeks, but this condition still needs to be checked by a doctor.
To treat pneumonia due to a viral infection, the doctor may recommend that the patient undergo treatment in a hospital so that the patient's condition can be monitored properly.
If needed, the doctor may give you antiviral drugs, such as: oseltamivir, zanamivir, ribavirin, or faviriparis to treat pneumonia caused by a viral infection.
3. Antifungal drugs
Pneumonia due to yeast infection generally occurs in someone with a weakened immune system, for example in people with HIV/AIDS or people undergoing chemotherapy.
Pneumonia due to fungal infection needs to be treated with pneumonia drugs in the form of antifungals, such as: sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, voriconazale, or amphotericin B.
4. Cough medicine
Pneumonia often causes coughing and increased fluid or phlegm in the lungs. To overcome these complaints, doctors can prescribe cough medicine or phlegm thinners as pneumonia medicine.
With the cough subsides, you can rest more comfortably so you can recover faster from pneumonia.
5. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
When stricken with pneumonia, a person will experience inflammation in his lungs. This inflammation can cause symptoms of fever and chest pain. To overcome these complaints, doctors can prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The types of NSAIDs that can be used to treat symptoms of fever and chest pain due to pneumonia are paracetamol and ibuprofen.
However, the effectiveness and safety of this pneumonia drug still needs to be investigated further because several studies state that NSAID drugs are less safe to be given to people with pneumonia.
6. Corticosteroids
This pneumonia drug is not a drug that is routinely used to treat pneumonia. Corticosteroids are generally only used in the short term to treat severe pneumonia.
Several studies suggest that giving corticosteroids to patients with severe pneumonia can reduce the risk of death from pneumonia. However, the type and dosage of corticosteroid drugs used must be adjusted to the prescription and recommendation of the doctor.
7. Oxygen therapy
Severe pneumonia can cause sufferers to experience shortness of breath and lack of oxygen. If this is the case, people with severe pneumonia need to be hospitalized. While undergoing treatment at the hospital, the doctor will give pneumonia medicines as well as oxygen therapy, if needed.
This therapy is done to help people with pneumonia maintain oxygen levels in their bloodstream. Oxygen therapy can be given through a tube or oxygen mask.
However, in cases of severe pneumonia when the patient is unable to breathe spontaneously, the doctor may provide breathing assistance through a ventilator.
Tips During Pneumonia Treatment
In addition to taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor, you can take the following suggestions while undergoing treatment for pneumonia:
Take medicine regularly according to doctor's prescription
While you're recovering at home, make sure you take your pneumonia medications as directed by your doctor. Avoid stopping treatment, even if your symptoms have improved.
If pneumonia medication is used incorrectly or not according to the doctor's instructions, this can cause pneumonia to recur.
Enough rest
During recovery, get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous physical activity until your condition is fully recovered and declared cured by a doctor. Don't forget to always meet your fluid needs by drinking enough water and eating nutritious foods so you can recover quickly.
Take care of the air quality in the house
To prevent irritation and inflammation from getting worse in the lungs due to pneumonia, you are advised to stay away from pollution, such as cigarette smoke or dust. Always keep the cleanliness and quality of the air in the house so that you can breathe more comfortably and the pneumonia you experience can heal faster.
In addition, don't forget to get used to always washing your hands after coughing or sneezing, using the bathroom, and before or after eating to prevent the spread of viruses or bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Regardless of the type, pneumonia is a condition that needs to be treated by a doctor. If not treated properly, pneumonia is at risk for dangerous complications, such as sepsis, respiratory failure, or even death.
Therefore, if you experience symptoms of pneumonia, immediately consult a doctor so that the doctor can take action and prescribe the right pneumonia medicine for you.