The Pneumonia Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like pneumonia, you are never alone. Countless men, women, and children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Web to assemble links to the very best pneumonia resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges you're facing now.

As you'll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this pneumonia guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Pneumonia

Survivors say these are the best resources for those who have just found out; check them out to learn more about your options:

• The National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus - Pneumonia
• American Lung Association: Pneunomia
• Mayoclinic.com: Pneumonia

The Big Picture

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung, usually caused by infection. Three common causes are bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Pneumonia signs and symptoms can vary due to the type of infection, the degree of severity or the age of the individual:

National Heart Lung Blood Institute: What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Kidshealth.org: Infections - Pneumonia

Your Pneumonia

Understanding your unique case of pneumonia will allow you to work with your doctor to find the most appropriate treatment, as well as figure out what caused the infection so you can prevent in in future:

American Lung Association: Causes of Pneumonia

American Lung Association: Bacterial Pneumonia

American Lung Association: Viral Pneumonia

American Lung Association: Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Do you know what to ask your doctor? Here's a guide to get you started: 

Consumer Reports: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Your World

Getting a diagnosis of pneumonia can be frustrating and emotionally trying if it puts constraints on your usual routine, which is typically the case. Start to understand what your treatment might include:

American Lung Association: Treating Pneumonia

Explaining your diagnosis to friends and family shouldn't be too difficult - start by educating yourself and you'll be able to help those close to you understand your condition:

Mayoclinic.com: Pneumonia Health

Pneumonia Myths

• "You can come down with pneumonia if you've been outside in bad weather."
• "Antibiotics cure for all types of pneumonia."
• "Pneumonia requires bedrest."

Suite101.com: Asthma/Lung Disease Myths

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

• WebMD.com: Pneumonia Support Resources

Types of Treatment

Mayoclinic.com: Pneumonia Treatments and Drugs

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Pneumococcal Pneumonia - Treatment

Yahoo! Health/Healthwise: Pneumonia - Treatment Overview

Possible Treatment Side Effects

Every drug comes with the risk of side effects, and those used to treat pneumonia are no exception:

About.com: Antibiotic Treatments for Pneumonia

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

Your general care practitioner will be able to diagnose and treat your pneumonia. If things get serious, or you have other lung-related problems, you may see a pulmonologist, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of lung illness and disease.

• American College of Chest Physicians
• Pulmonologychannel.com: Find a Pulmonologist/Pulmonary Doctor

Dealing with Pneumonia: Information for Co-Survivors

How You Can Help

• Simple tasks such as cleaning can greatly help someone dealing with pneumonia, since dust and chemical fumes can delay their healing process.
• If you live with a pneumonia survivor, especially a child, make sure they drink plenty of water and take their medication as prescribed.

What to Say

• “Stick to your doctor's orders, including finishing your antibiotic prescription -- even if you're feeling better.”
• “Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.”
• "Let me help you do a few things until your breathing is back to normal."

What not to say

• “Pneumonia can be fatal; I've known of a few people who've died from it.”
• “With your lifestyle, it's not surprising you've contracted pneumonia.”
• “Does this mean you have AIDS?”

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Every Day

• Ensure that they are resting enough; the body needs adequate rest in order to fight off infection.
• Check to be sure they are taking their medication as directed, as well as eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water.
• Once the survivor has gotten through their bout with pneumonia, do what you can to help prevent a recurrence (most people who get pneumonia are under 2 or over 65.) Help create an environment geared toward optimal health and lead by example.

How to Build a Support Network

• Set up your TSC co-survivor profile.
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates on your loved one's progress.

How to Help a Survivor Deal with Day-to-Day Challenges

• Work/School – Help your loved one or child stay connected to their usual routine at work or school. 
• Family – When one person in the family suffers from pneumonia, everyone will feel the effects. Helping around the house with cleaning and other chores and errands can be a wonderful assistance to someone with pneumonia, greatly reducing any stress they're feeling now.

Recovery /Recurrence

Your best bet to stay in recovery and avoid a recurrence of pneumonia is to do everything you can in the way of prevention. Ask your doctor if you're a good candidate for a pneumonia vaccine, and adopt healthy habits: 

Healthfinder.gov: Get a Pneumonia Shot

WebMD.com: Pneumonia - Prevention

American Cancer Society: Guide to Quitting Smoking

Give Back

• Set up your TSC survivor profile.
• Become a survivor mentor for another pneumonia survivor.

Sometimes, pneumonia does worsen and even prove fatal. If you have learned that your pneumonia is likely to be terminal, these resources may be of some help to you and those who love you during this extremely difficult time:

MyWonderfulLife.com: Plan Your Funeral, Your Way

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Resources for Co-Survivors

• About.com - Living on After a Death: Resources for Survivors 
• Griefnet.org
• Crisiscounseling.com: Grief and Loss
• CompassionateFriends.org - Surviving the Death of a Child