Pneumonia is a common yet serious infection that targets the lungs. Although healthy people often recover within a few weeks to a month, the illness can pose significant challenges for those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
“There are more than 100 viruses, bacteria, and fungi that cause pneumonia, with the most common types being viral, mycoplasmal, and pneumococcal,” says Michael Traub, ND, FABNO, medical director of integrative health center Ho’o Lokahi. “Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common bacterial pneumonia and the most common cause requiring hospitalization.”
Pneumonia is the leading cause of infection-related deaths in the United States.1Wueth BA, Bonnewell JP, Wiemken TL, Arnold FW. Trends in pneumonia mortality rates and hospitalizations by organism, United States, 2002-2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2016;22(9):1624-1627. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2209.150680 People can contract the virus anywhere they might pick up a cold or the flu—at work, school, traveling, or in a hospital. Vulnerable populations (children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions) are most at risk.
“Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most commonly diagnosed illnesses worldwide,” says Dr. Traub. “The clinical presentation of CAP varies, ranging from mild disease, characterized by limited shortness of breath and productive cough, to severe disease, characterized by fever, respiratory distress, and sepsis.”
Proper diagnosis can help prevent lung damage and rule out other conditions, such as acute bronchitis, influenza, upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, and lung cancer. Early treatment is also crucial. If you suspect pneumonia, seek medical attention and consult a healthcare provider immediately.
Diagnosis and risk factors
A patient’s medical history and a physical exam may confirm pneumonia; however, bloodwork and imaging (chest X-ray) may also be necessary for diagnosis.2Regunath H, Oba Y. Community-acquired pneumonia. StatPearls. 2024,Jan 26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430749/?report=reader#_NBK430749_pubdet_
“Obtaining a computed tomography (CT) scan is reasonable when CAP is suspected and the clinical presentation is atypical or the patient is elderly, immunocompromised, or has possible alternative explanations, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary edema, or known exposure to epidemic pathogens that cause pneumonia, such as COVID,” says Dr. Traub. “In such cases, CT scanning can help confirm or exclude the diagnosis of pneumonia.”
People who fall into these categories may be at higher risk for pneumonia—especially drug-resistant forms2Regunath H, Oba Y. Community-acquired pneumonia. StatPearls. 2024,Jan 26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430749/?report=reader#_NBK430749_pubdet_:
- Children in daycare centers
- Adults over 65
- Having a chronic medical condition
- Having a compromised immune system
- Taking antibiotics in the previous 90 days
- People with alcohol use disorder
Pneumonia symptoms
The lungs contain tiny air sacs called alveoli, which fill with fluid and pus when infected. In addition to trouble breathing or chest pain while breathing or coughing, common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, fever or chills, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.3Dadonaite B, Roser M. Pneumonia. Our World Data. February 2024. https://ourworldindata.org/pneumonia Symptoms vary based on the type and severity of the infection and any co-existing health conditions.
“Mycoplasmal pneumonia is often called walking pneumonia because symptoms are milder than pneumonia caused by other organisms,” explains Dr. Traub.
Most pneumonia cases resolve with treatment and time; however, a different approach may be needed if symptoms resist medication or worsen (especially difficulty breathing).
How is pneumonia treated?
Antibiotics are typically the first-line treatment for bacterial pneumonia.4Informed Health. Overview: Pneumonia. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. May 18, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525774/?report=reader#_NBK525774_pubdet_ Viral pneumonia accounts for about 30 percent of cases (according to Dr. Traub), but antibiotics are only effective when a secondary bacterial infection is present.
“Antibiotics certainly have a role in treating pneumonia, depending on the immunocompetence of the patient and the causative organism,” says Dr. Traub.
Some bacterial strains that cause pneumonia are antibiotic resistant. For example, while Streptococcus pneumoniae causes more than two in five infections, it’s impervious to at least one antibiotic.5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal disease. February 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/php/drug-resistance/index.html
“In cases of antibiotic resistance,” says Dr. Traub, “it is important to consider the pneumonia vaccine, Pneumovax, and natural treatments as a means to help strengthen the immune response.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls antibiotic resistance a “serious threat” and suggests people get the pneumococcal vaccine to protect against the bacterium that causes most antibiotic-resistant forms of the illness.5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal disease. February 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/php/drug-resistance/index.html
Severe cases of pneumonia may require hospitalization and oxygen therapy.
Home remedies and immunity-boosting tips
The natural approach to treating pneumonia aims to strengthen the immune system, ease symptoms, speed up recovery, and reduce the risk of severe illness. Dr. Traub suggests a combination of mucolytics to loosen secretions, expectorants to treat coughs, and body-boosting nutrients and herbs:
- Mucolytics: guaifenesin, N-acetylcysteine, bromelain
- Expectorants: Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Lobelia inflata, Pelargonium sidoides (geranium), Hedera helix (ivy)
- Immune support: vitamin C, vitamin A, Allium sativum (garlic), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal)
Constitutional hydrotherapy and homeopathy may also relieve symptoms and support immunity. In a study of people with upper respiratory tract infections, a homeopathic syrup significantly reduced cough severity and thinned mucus secretions.6Zanasi A, Mazzolini M, Tursi F, et al. Homeopathic medicine for acute cough in upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2014;27(1):102-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pupt.2013.05.007
A whole-health approach to treating pneumonia goes beyond curative measures, emphasizing the role of lifestyle factors like restorative sleep, a balanced diet, ample hydration (warm herbal teas are particularly soothing),7Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al. Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021;47:96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021 and access to clean, fresh air. While recovery may take time, these practices create a strong foundation for healing and preventing future illness.
Footnotes
- 1Wueth BA, Bonnewell JP, Wiemken TL, Arnold FW. Trends in pneumonia mortality rates and hospitalizations by organism, United States, 2002-2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2016;22(9):1624-1627. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2209.150680
- 2Regunath H, Oba Y. Community-acquired pneumonia. StatPearls. 2024,Jan 26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430749/?report=reader#_NBK430749_pubdet_
- 3Dadonaite B, Roser M. Pneumonia. Our World Data. February 2024. https://ourworldindata.org/pneumonia
- 4Informed Health. Overview: Pneumonia. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. May 18, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525774/?report=reader#_NBK525774_pubdet_
- 5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal disease. February 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/php/drug-resistance/index.html
- 6Zanasi A, Mazzolini M, Tursi F, et al. Homeopathic medicine for acute cough in upper respiratory tract infections and acute bronchitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2014;27(1):102-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pupt.2013.05.007
- 7Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al. Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2021;47:96-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021
