Pneumonia is a condition wherein you witness internal swelling of lungs. Your lungs are known to have tiny air-sacs called alveoli. Conditions like pneumonia can cause damages to these sacs. This infectious condition may be caused either by a virus or bacteria. People who live with a suppressed immune system and/or those with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like asthma or bronchitis are more vulnerable than others. Is the healing process a prolonged one – i.e., after a spell of pneumonia? It is a vital thing to understand this process in detail.
A sizable population – of nearly 390 million all over the world – stand affected by pneumonia every year. This is about 7% of the population of this globe. It is not a safe practice to be with smokers; it is considered a good practice to keep away from smoking bars or joints. Handwashing and social-distancing are safer ways to check the incidence of this infectious condition.
Moreover, diagnosis of pneumonia is quite an intricate task. Your caregiving team will examine your breathing; your chest will be screened (by use of x-rays), and a few tests are administered in the lab. Your caregiving team will aim to assess your lung condition and the stage of pneumonia.
The first stage is called congestion; it is the first stage if you are diagnosed immediately after the incidence of pneumonia. The 2nd stage is red hetalisation; here, lungs turn dry and may look like liver-tissues. The 3rd one is grey hetalisation; lungs may become grey and large-sized white-colored cells i.e., macrophages are detected. Final stage is resolution; this denotes recovery as you cough up debris.
Is the healing process after pneumonia a prolonged one?
The healing process after pneumonia takes anywhere between four (4) to six (6) months. In a matter of a week’s time, your body temperature turns to a normal. In less than 4 weeks’ time, mucus production becomes less and you may experience lesser level of congestion in your chest region. In less than 2 months, your breathing frees up and urges to cough are under greater control.
In about 12 weeks’ time, most of the signs of pneumonia tend to go away, though you may feel a bit weak. By the end of the 5th month (or at times by the 6th month), you are likely to return to your normal health condition. In most cases, by the 6th month, your system may turn completely free of pneumonic symptoms. Though you may feel a bit weak and tired, most of the typical signs cease to show up.
No two individuals who are healing from a recent spell of pneumonia may recover in a similar manner. Your healing process is influenced by a few factors namely, your age, kind of pneumonia you are healing from, how healthy were you i.e., before the onset of pneumonia and how well are you tending to yourself during recovery.
One good thing about the healing process of pneumonia is – a timely start of treatment can help start your recovery process sooner. Another good thing is – you can get treatment staying at your home. Your medication plan may or may not involve intake of antibiotic meds. The genre of drugs administered is based on the stage as well as the type of pneumonia.
In almost all instances, you tend to feel better soon after starting to take meds; but it is only a temporary relief. It is a safe practice to continue taking your meds for pneumonia till your caregiver tells you to stop taking the prescribed medications.
Last but not least, elderly patients of pneumonia may take a longer timeline to witness a complete recovery. As their immunity stands weakened, and if they have any prior medical conditions, the healing process of pneumonia may be a prolonged one. It becomes essential to have better care and closer attention to patients aged above 60 years.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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