Does Pneumonia Go Away On its Own: 7 Easy Steps!

Let’s get the sure shot about the myth of pneumonia, “Does pneumonia go away on its own.” Pneumonia is a serious lung disease or a respiratory disorder that can be cured if symptoms are mild and viral. Various microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, influenza, fungi, etc can cause it.

It leads to death and life-threatening disease, hospitalization, lung infection, and complications for people with weakened immune systems and people of all ages, from infants to children, and the elderly.

Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid or pus. This can make it difficult to breathe and cause a range of symptoms, including coughing, fever, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

The infected person will be unable to inhale and exhale air as normally. It is a type of respiratory infection in humans, and sometimes, it could be converted into a severe disease, walking pneumonia.

1. Symptoms of Pneumonia:

The symptoms of pneumonia ¹may vary from person to person and depending on the cause of pneumonia infection, the overall health problems of the person, and the severity of the illness in the body. Some common symptoms of pneumonia are stated; if a person has these issues, they might have pneumonia:

1. Cough: Cough is a very common respiratory infection and the first symptom of pneumonia. If not treated with cough medicines, the cough can develop gradually and resolve independently. It produces phlegm or mucus that can be yellowish, green, or bloody.
2. Fever is a common symptom of pneumonia; it may or may not occur during pneumonia. Depending on the grade of viral infection, fever could be mild or severe.
3. Chest pain: When a person coughs or sneezes and breathes deeply, pain may be felt in the chest, and it could be mild or sharp. It worsens when it increases to cough, and it pains a lot due to infection.
4. Fatigue: The body became weak and fatigued due to pneumonia infection and weakened immune systems. It remains for a few weeks after recovery from pneumonia.²
5. Shortness of breath: When the lungs are filled with pus or fluid, making it difficult for a person to breathe deeply during physical activity, this is also a symptom of pneumonia.
6. Muscle aches: These develop especially in older adults who have a weak immune system. They are a symptom of pneumonia that occurs in joints and muscles.
7. Confusion: This symptom of pneumonia is present when there is a severe pneumonia infection. It may cause confusion or delirium³

2. Is Pneumonia Self-Healing?

Every disease in the world can be self-treated by our body with a boosted immune system. In general, our body has a spontaneous recovery mechanism and natural healing frameworks by which it fights every type of disease and gets cured independently. But our body can heal only mild infections and diseases and resolve adequate rest of them on its own without any treatment.

It is crucial to note that some people may have mild or no symptoms of pneumonia if they have a weakened immune system or are elderly. Contrarily, it is also possible for a person infected with pneumonia but has no similar symptoms, such as vomiting or nausea.

If any of the same symptoms you are deemed to have in the body, treat those symptoms of the disease as early as possible until it becomes severe pneumonia and uncontrolled.

Pneumonia-based blood tests are important to seek medical attention to ensure proper treatment, X-rays, and appropriate diagnosis. Early treatment, diagnosis, and care can help prevent pneumonia caused by microorganisms and promote faster recovery from pneumonia.

There is no such term available as self-healing or recovery from pneumonia. It is a very serious complication and infection that requires rapid medical attention and treatment.

3. Treatment for Pneumonia:

It leads to serious complications and maybe death within a few days if it is left untreated, so never try to get cured on its own and ask if pneumonia goes away on its own and seek medical attention if you are suspected that you have pneumonia or have been diagnosed with pneumonia.

The treatment for pneumonia depends on how it has been infected in the body. If it has been caused by bacterial pneumonia, it needs antibiotics to cure pneumonia.⁴

If the pneumonia is caused by viral pneumonia, it needs antiviral medication. Also, it needs supportive care, such as oxygen therapy and respiratory treatments.

In severe health disorders and underlying medical conditions, hospitalization is required, particularly to treat pneumonia.

There are several terms discussed below to know more about the treatment of pneumonia treatment separately:

3.1. Antibiotics:

Bacterial pneumonia is diagnosed with antibiotics, and the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. The type of antibiotics depends on the specific bacteria causing the infection.

It should be kept in mind that if the symptoms improve earlier before completing the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor, it is important to complete the full course as it has the risk of developing pneumonia ⁵again.

3.2. Antiviral:

This medication can help to improve the illness and to reduce the severity of symptoms caused by viruses.

3.3. Oxygen Therapy:

To help in increasing the oxygen levels in the blood, it is the priority for individuals who have difficulty in breathing and respiration problems.

3.4. Supportive Care:

To reduce fever and ease pain, taking over-the-counter medicines, staying hydrated, and bed rest.

3.5. Bronchodilators:

To help in easier breathing, this medication would help to relax the muscles in the airways.

3.6. Hospitalization:

Hospitalization is necessary to treat severe pneumonia effectively. The patient will be monitored and given every medication.

To promote a quick recovery, it is very important to seek medical attention promptly as early as possible to prevent complications.

4. Precautions to be taken During Pneumonia: 

Treatments could help to manage your underlying medical condition, disease control, and symptoms during the treatment of pneumonia⁶:

4.1. Rest and Stay Hydrated:

This is the first and most important step to prevent pneumonia. Pneumonia can be exhausting and one needs rest to fight. You should sleep well and drink plenty of water, juices, and warm tea to stay hydrated.

4.2. Take Cough Medicines:

Cough is a very common symptom of pneumonia, and it could disrupt your activities and sleep, so try to take cough medicines during pneumonia. If your cough produces mucus, then let it run and clear out the irritants from your lungs.

4.3. Quit Smoking:

Smoking is the enemy of the lungs. If you avoid smoking, half of your respiratory failure will be cured.

4.4. Take a Warm Shower:

Taking a steamy shower would be helpful for pneumonia as it helps relieve cough and congestion. It makes your throat clear and loosens the mucus in the lungs.

4.5. Oral Hygiene:

Practicing good hygiene is very important in pneumonia to prevent illness. Cover your nose and mouth and wash your hands frequently to maintain proper hygiene.

4.6. Take Pain Relief Medicines:

Pneumonia can cause severe chest pain and discomfort. To reduce pain and fever, take medicines such as Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. Both are effective.

4.7. Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions:

Your doctor may recommend other treatments and medication to improve your health. To ensure the best outcomes, it is important to follow the doctor’s prescribed activities, tests, and medication.

Conclusion

There is nothing like self-treatment for pneumonia symptoms, but these steps and tips should be taken to improve health problems spontaneously. Yes, you can say pneumonia can be treated and pneumonia can go away on its own, but usually a viral infection or in mild and dull conditions.

If it becomes a complication for the health and converted from chest infection into severe pneumonia, seek medical help rapidly.

1. Juvén, Taina, Olli Ruuskanen, and Jussi Mertsola. “Symptoms and signs of community-acquired pneumonia in children.” Scandinavian journal of primary health care 21.1 (2003): 52-56. ↩︎
2. Bruns, Anke HW, et al. “Pneumonia recovery; discrepancies in perspectives of the radiologist, physician and patient.” Journal of general internal medicine 25 (2010): 203-206. ↩︎
3. Wilson, Jo Ellen, et al. “Delirium.” Nature Reviews Disease Primers 6.1 (2020): 90. ↩︎
4. Bjerre, Lise M., Theo JM Verheij, and Michael M. Kochen. “Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in adult outpatients.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 4 (2009). ↩︎
5. Rello, Jordi, et al. “Risk factors for developing pneumonia within 48 hours of intubation.” American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine 159.6 (1999): 1742-1746. ↩︎
6. McCracken Jr, George H. “Etiology and treatment of pneumonia.” The Pediatric infectious disease journal 19.4 (2000): 373-377. ↩︎

Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology