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cause a person to have difficulty breathing. Inhaling and exhaling can become quite painful. The cough associated with pneumonia will often produce sputum. Other common symptoms of pneumonia include vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea.

It is important to note that not all causes of pneumonia will cause the exact same symptoms. For example, walking pneumonia, which is caused by Mycoplasma, will often produce very little fever and a cough which does not produce much sputum. People can be ill with Mycoplasma pneumonia for quite some time, and still be able to function reasonably normally, although they will most certainly be somewhat sick.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatments for pneumonia depend greatly on the specific cause of the pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by a bacteria will be treated with antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the pneumonia, these antibiotics may need to be given a hospital with a line directly into the bloodstream. In less severe cases it may be possible to treat with oral antibiotics.

Viral pneumonia will not respond to antibiotics, although there are antiviral medications available. Fungal pneumonias can be some of the most difficult to treat. Anti-fungal medications are available, however they have many side effects and can be quite difficult to tolerate.

Once your doctor has determined the exact cause of the pneumonia, a treatment can be custom tailored to provide the most benefit to the person who is suffering.

Learn more about this author, Erich Rosenberger M.D..
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