Pneumonia Treatment: What to Know About Your Options

If you’ve ever been sick with pneumonia, you know that it can be a miserable experience. 

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or even fungus. People with pneumonia often have a cough, difficulty breathing, and fever. Some cases of pneumonia can be quite mild, while others may be life-threatening. 

There’s no single treatment for pneumonia that will work for everyone. That’s because every case of pneumonia is different. The best treatment for pneumonia depends on what’s causing pneumonia, how severe the symptoms are, and what other medical problems are affecting the lungs. 

Let’s look closer at how pneumonia is treated. 

Determining treatment for pneumonia

Pneumonia treatment should target the germ that’s causing the infection. A wide range of bacteria, viruses, and (rarely) fungi can cause pneumonia. 

Bacteria

Bacterial pneumonia is often caused by infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. But Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical or “walking” pneumonia. 

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Virus

Viral pneumonia can come from infection with many different viruses including:

• Influenza virus (flu)

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• COVID-19

Fungus

Fungal pneumonia is rare. But histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis are two kinds of fungal pneumonia. 

In addition to attacking the underlying cause of the pneumonia, pneumonia treatment should help relieve symptoms and support the lungs while they recover. 

Pneumonia treatment options

The kind of treatment you’ll receive for pneumonia can be different from someone else’s. Your healthcare team will come up with a specific treatment plan for you. They’ll consider all of the pneumonia treatment options below. 

Antibiotics 

Antibiotics are helpful if your pneumonia is caused by a bacteria. You may need more than one antibiotic if you’re at high risk for severe infection or your infection is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

Most people with bacterial pneumonia can take an oral antibiotic at home. Be sure to take antibiotics as prescribed, even after you’re feeling better. Stopping antibiotics early increases the likelihood the infection will come back. And it increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital for antibiotics delivered through an IV. This happens when:

• Oral antibiotics haven’t cleared the infection 

• Oral antibiotics won't work because the infection is caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria

• Someone is unable to take oral antibiotics down due to nausea or vomiting

• Someone is severely ill 

Antivirals 

Antiviral medications can be used to help treat certain types of viral pneumonia. 

If you've been diagnosed with pneumonia caused by the flu, your primary care provider may recommend taking an antiviral like Tamiflu (oseltamivir). This will help reduce the length of time you're sick. 

Some people with COVID pneumonia may benefit from taking Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir). This will reduce the risk of developing severe COVID symptoms. 

But not all cases of viral pneumonia can be treated with antivirals. And not everyone with viral pneumonia needs antiviral medication. 

Antifungals

If you're diagnosed with pneumonia from a fungal infection, you’ll need treatment with an antifungal medication like voriconazole or amphotericin B. Fungal infections can be challenging to diagnose and treat. People may need treatment in a hospital. Specialists like infectious disease experts often help guide treatment decisions.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids like prednisone and dexamethasone are sometimes used to treat pneumonia. In cases of severe pneumonia, these medications can reduce the risk of death. They may also be used when people have underlying lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Corticosteroids can have side effects such as increased blood sugar and blood pressure. They can also cause anxiety, agitation, and confusion. This is especially true when people are severely ill and require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Inhalers and nebulizers

Medications like corticosteroids can help open up the airways so that you can breathe easier. Two examples are albuterol (a beta agonist) and ipratropium (an anticholinergic). 

These medications are given through inhalers or nebulizers:

• An inhaler is a small, handheld device that administers medication directly to the lungs. 

• A nebulizer is a machine that helps deliver medication to the lungs by turning liquid into a mist that you inhale. 

Not everyone who’s sick with pneumonia needs these medications. Your healthcare team can help determine if these medications are right for you.

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help treat symptoms of pneumonia such as fever, headache, and chest pain. 

Your healthcare team may recommend using:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Ibuprofen (Advil)

• Aspirin

These medications can help relieve aches and pains and reduce fever. 

Keep in mind that children under the age of 12 shouldn’t use aspirin. Aspirin can cause a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome in children. 

Home remedies

In addition to OTC medications, there are other things you can do at home to help aid your recovery. If you're sick with pneumonia, try the following:

• Increase your fluid intake. This can help loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up phlegm.

• Drink warm beverages. You can also spend time in a steamy bath or shower, or turn on a humidifier to help clear out mucus. 

• Avoid smoke. This means cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and wood smoke. All of these can further irritate your lungs while you're sick. 

• Get enough rest. Ask for help with preparing meals and chores until you’re feeling better. It can take weeks to fully recover from pneumonia. 

Can you prevent pneumonia?

Yes, there are safe and effective vaccines that can decrease your likelihood of getting pneumonia. And if you do get sick but are up-to-date with your vaccinations, you're more likely to have a mild infection. 

When people refer to the “pneumonia shot,” they're usually talking about vaccines that prevent S. pneumoniae, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal vaccines don't prevent every kind of pneumonia. But they do protect against infection from multiple strains of S. pneumoniae. 

Other important vaccines that can reduce your chances of getting pneumonia include:

• Flu vaccine 

• COVID vaccine

• RSV vaccine

You can also help prevent pneumonia and improve your overall health by: 

• Washing your hands

• Not smoking 

• Getting enough sleep

• Eating well

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Amy Walsh, MD, MDP

I have worked as an emergency physician for 15 years, including care at both rural hospitals and trauma centers. I am the former Global Emergency Medicine fellowship director at Health Partners.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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