Community-acquired pneumonia caused by bacteria can usually be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Now, Shorter Treatment for Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Traditional antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia usually lasts from 10-14 days. Today, shorter courses of antibiotic therapy can be prescribed. The LEVAQUIN Leva-pak effectively treats community-acquired pneumonia in just 5 days. This 5-day treatment regimen of 750 mg once-a-day has been proven as effective as a longer, 10-day regimen of 500 mg once-a-day. If you have questions about shorter courses of antibiotic therapy, such as the Leva-pak, ask your healthcare professional.
Working With Your Healthcare Professional
When you visit your healthcare professional, he or she will ask you about your symptoms before diagnosing the condition and conducting any tests. Have you had a sustained fever and chills? Do you have chest pain and a deep cough? Do you feel tired and rundown? Are you short of breath?
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Professional …
- Would an antibiotic, like LEVAQUIN, help treat my pneumonia?
- Does smoking have anything to do with pneumonia?
- Should I remain in bed if I have pneumonia?
- Can I take over-the-counter medications to lower my fever and relieve headaches?
- Can eating healthy and exercising help build a resistance against germs?
- If my symptoms are gone, is the infection gone?
- Should I get a pneumonia vaccination?
You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t leave your health care professional’s office without knowing what steps to take next.
Did Your Healthcare Professional Tell You …
- How far your pneumonia has progressed.
- Your treatment plan (rest, medication and diet).
- The possible side effects of the antibiotic your healthcare professional has prescribed.
- Whether you should get a flu shot every year.
- What you can do to help protect yourself from pneumonia.
- What medicines you are already taking that might make your condition worse.
- How you will know if your treatment plan is working.
Protect Yourself From Pneumonia
You can help lower your risk of getting pneumonia by making smart decisions about cleanliness and leading a healthy lifestyle. The healthier you are, the stronger your immune system will be at fighting off the infections that result in pneumonia.
Here are some of the steps you can take to prevent the onset of pneumonia:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Do not smoke and avoid smoke-filled rooms.
- Avoid heavy consumption of alcohol.
- Wash your hands frequently, and keep them away from your eyes and nose.
- Cover your mouth when you cough.
- Clean doorknobs, countertops and phones with a disinfectant, such as Lysol ®.
- Make sure you and your children get flu shots.
- Eat healthy food and exercise regularly.
Lysol is a registered trademark of Reckitt Benckiser Inc.