top of page

Recovery after pneumonia

​Your chances to recover fast depend on many factors. In general, you will recover faster if: 

  • You are young

  • Your pneumonia is treated early

  • Your immune system—your body's defense against disease—is working well

  • The infection hasn't spread

  • You are not suffering from other illnesses (1). 

(1) American Lung Association. (2016). Learn About Pneumonia. [online] Available at: http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/learn-about-pneumonia.html [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

(2) Gamache, J. (2016). Bacterial Pneumonia: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. [online] Emedicine.medscape.com. Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/300157-overview#a6 [Accessed 28 Mar. 2017].

The overall prognosis is good with adequate antibiotics, antiviral or antifungal treatment (depending on the main cause of the pneumonia). Nevertheless, advanced age, aggressive or drug resistant germs (e.g. Klebsiella, Legionella, resistant 

Streptococcus pneumoniae), respiratory failure, co-infections, either alone or in combination, significantly increase the severity of the disease and prolong the recovery time (2).
 

Prognosis

If left untreated, pneumonia can be life threatening



It is essential to seek immedietaly help if you suspect that you, or someone else, may suffer from pneumonia. 

To find out more about recovery after pneumonia, visit the British Lung Foundation website:

References:

bottom of page