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How Is Pneumonia Contracted?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Feb 2017
Question: I've had pneumonia for a month now. I just went to the Dr. yesterday because I was told they won't write for antiob. Was this wrong? Did I do more damage by not going? How do I know where I got it from?
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I am confused about why they have not prescribed you an antibiotic if you have a confirmed case of pneumonia.

Did they think, before yesterday, that you perhaps had something less severe, caused by a virus, and that's why you weren't prescribed an antibiotic?

It is hard to know where the pneumonia came from. I had pneumonia a few years ago and have no idea where it came from - may have been an upper respiratory infection that then infected my lungs. Usually it is acquired by picking it up from someone who has an infection. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth unless you have washed or alcohol gelled your hands immediately prior to this as this is one of the major ways respiratory infections are contracted.

Regarding whether it did more damage to wait, most people recover fully from pneumonia. A repeat X-ray later on after you've recovered can help show if there is residual scarring. In most cases there is not.

I am glad you are on an antibiotic now. You are on an antibiotic now, right?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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How Is Pneumonia Contracted?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello, I am confused about why they have not prescribed you an antibiotic if you have a confirmed case of pneumonia. Did they think, before yesterday, that you perhaps had something less severe, caused by a virus, and that's why you weren't prescribed an antibiotic? It is hard to know where the pneumonia came from. I had pneumonia a few years ago and have no idea where it came from - may have been an upper respiratory infection that then infected my lungs. Usually it is acquired by picking it up from someone who has an infection. Avoid touching your eyes or mouth unless you have washed or alcohol gelled your hands immediately prior to this as this is one of the major ways respiratory infections are contracted. Regarding whether it did more damage to wait, most people recover fully from pneumonia. A repeat X-ray later on after you've recovered can help show if there is residual scarring. In most cases there is not. I am glad you are on an antibiotic now. You are on an antibiotic now, right?