Choice of antibiotics for pneumonia

Content provided by Healthwise

Choice of antibiotics for pneumonia

Print Email SHARE

Many classes of antibiotics can treat pneumonia. Which antibiotic your doctor chooses generally will be based on:

Your age.
Your symptoms.
How severe your pneumonia is.
Other medical problems that you might have.
What type of bacteria may be causing your pneumonia. Most cases of bacterial pneumonia in otherwise healthy people are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Several other bacteria may cause pneumonia in the very young, older adults, and those with other diseases.
Whether you have a type of bacteria that some medications can no longer kill (resistant bacteria).
Whether you are allergic to any antibiotics.

Your doctor's choice of antibiotics may also depend on whether you:

Are otherwise healthy and do not have to go to a hospital for treatment.
Have other medical conditions but still do not have to go to the hospital.
Have to go to the hospital.
Have to go to an intensive care unit.

Choosing an antibiotic based on these factors avoids the need for extensive culture and sensitivity testing and allows for rapid treatment that has a high rate of cure.

Credits

Print Email SHARE

Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Last Updated	April 2, 2007

Print Email Twitter Facebook MySpace AIM More

Last updated:	April 02, 2007
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.