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Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Pneumonia [Read/Print full article]
Overview
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Pneumonia is a lung infection that can make it hard for you to breathe. You may also cough or run a fever. When your lungs become infected, the smallest air sacs in the lungs can become inflamed. When these little sacs, called alveoli, become inflamed, they fill with pus or mucus. This makes breathing difficult.
For most people, pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization and often clears up in 2 to 3 weeks. In older adults, babies, and people with other diseases, pneumonia can be very serious. They may need to be in the hospital until they recover.
Causes and Risk Factors
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Pneumonia can be caused by a number of different bacteria or viruses and may follow or accompany a cold, flu, or bronchitis. Rarely, a fungus may cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia itself is not generally thought to be contagious; however, the cold or flu that caused the original illness may still be able to be spread.
You are at higher risk of developing pneumonia if you:
- Smoke.
- Have chronic lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or severe asthma.
- Have poorly controlled diabetes.
- Have severe heart problems.
- Have a weak immune system due to cancer or chemotherapy or another condition that lessens your immunity.
- Are over 65, since your immune system is not as strong as you get older.
Additional References:
Symptoms
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Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Fever of 100.5°F or greater
- Chest pain when you breathe in
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing up sputum (mucus) that is green, yellow, or rust-colored
- Shaking chills
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mental confusion, especially in the elderly
Call us if you experience these symptoms persistently or if you feel you are getting sicker.
Diagnosis
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If you think you have pneumonia, contact us. We will use your medical history, a physical exam, and possibly a chest X-ray to diagnose pneumonia.
Most pneumonia can be treated at home, but patients who are very sick need to be admitted to the hospital. They will get many other tests to determine the type of bacteria, virus, or fungus that is causing their illness.
Treatment
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It is important to treat pneumonia in order to prevent worsening of lung function, which may lead to major complications and even death.
Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics.
Special circumstances: Patients who have chronic lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have weak immune systems, or have taken antibiotics for any reason within the last few months may be put on different combinations of antibiotics.
It may take some time to recover from pneumonia. Some people feel better after a week. For others, it can take several weeks to feel better and get back to daily activities.
These are steps you can take in addition to getting treatment that support your treatment and recovery:
Drink at least 8 cups a day of caffeine-free fluids such as water, herb teas, or clear broth to keep your sputum (mucus) thin so that you can cough it up. Coughing is important so that you can clear your lungs of mucus. The lung tissues cannot do their job of getting oxygen into your blood if there is a lot of mucus in the lungs.
Balance activity with rest. Taking time for adequate rest is very important for anyone with pneumonia because your immune system needs rest in order to fight infection.
Eat nutritious foods. Eat nutritious foods even while you are sick, so that your body has the vitamins and minerals it needs to recover.
Hold a pillow to your chest when you cough to avoid pulling muscles or injuring your ribs.
You may take acetaminophen 500 mg 1 to 2 every 6 to 8 hours if you have a fever. Do not exceed 4,000 mg (8 tablets or capsules) a day. If you have liver problems, call us before you take acetaminophen.
Prevention
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There are many things you can do at home to prevent becoming ill with pneumonia, for example:
Stop smoking. Smoking damages the lungs and the immune system.
Get vaccinated. Get the pneumococcal and influenza (flu) vaccines if you have a chronic condition or if you are over the age of 65.
Be proactive. Avoid exposure to people who are sick and stay away from crowded areas, especially during the winter.
Keep your hands clean. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner often when you touch surfaces that have been touched by others, or wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 10 to 15 seconds.
Keep your immune system strong. Get plenty of rest and get mild to moderate exercise on a regular basis.
Additional References:
- External Link to Quit Smoking, We Can Help
Your Care with Me
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If you have symptoms that make it hard for you to breathe, please call our Appointment and Advice line. Trained, experienced nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can give you immediate advice about what to do. If you want to connect with me directly, they can send me a message or book an appointment with me.
We urge you to call under these special circumstances:
- If you have chronic conditions and are having difficulty breathing.
- If you had general anesthesia recently.
- If you have been previously diagnosed with pneumonia or a viral illness and have persistent fever, shortness of breath, or a worsening cough.
To prevent pneumonia, we recommend that you get the pneumovax vaccine if:
- You have a chronic condition.
- You smoke.
- You are over 65.
Based on your symptoms, medical history, and any tests I may order, I will confirm your diagnosis. Together we will create a treatment plan that is right for you.
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You can connect with me in a variety of ways, depending on the situation and what is most convenient for you at the time. I am available online, by telephone, or in person.
- For nonurgent questions or concerns, you can e-mail me using this site. You can also book an appointment online to see me in person.
- If your concerns are immediate, or you simply prefer to use the telephone, please call our Appointment and Advice line, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our advice nurses can give you immediate advice, and our telephone staff can send me a message or book an appointment for you.
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How We Coordinate Your Care
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Having all of our Kaiser Permanente departments located together or nearby, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and health education, makes getting your care easier for you.
Another major benefit is our comprehensive electronic medical record system which allows all of the doctors and clinicians involved in your care to stay current on your health status and to collaborate with each other as appropriate.
When every member of the health care team is aware of all aspects of your condition, care is safer and more effective.
If you come to an office visit
- At the beginning of your visit, you will receive information about when you are due for your next test, screening, or immunization. We can discuss and schedule any preventive tests that you need.
- At the end of your visit, you may receive a document called the “After Visit Summary” that will summarize the issues we discussed during your visit. You can refer to it if you forget what we discussed, or if you just want to recheck your vital signs and weight. You can also view it online under Past Visits.
- To help you prepare for your visit, please see additional details under Office Visit.
If I prescribe medications
We will work together to monitor and assess how your medications are working and make adjustments as needed. Prescriptions can be filled at any Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. Just let me know which pharmacy works best for you and I will send the prescription electronically in advance of your arrival at the pharmacy.
If refills are needed in the future, you can:
- Order them online or by phone. Order future refills from my home page or by phone using the pharmacy refill number on your prescription label.
- Have them delivered to you by mail at no extra cost. Or you can pick up your medications at the pharmacy. If no refills remain when you place your order, the pharmacy will contact me regarding your prescription.
If lab testing or imaging is needed
For lab tests, I will use our electronic medical record system to send the requisition to the Kaiser Permanente laboratory of your choice. For imaging procedures we will schedule an appointment with the radiology department. When the results are ready I will contact you with your results by letter, secure e-mail message, or phone. In addition, you can view most of your laboratory results online, along with any comments that I have attached to explain them.
If I refer you to a specialist
My specialty colleagues are readily available to assist me if I need additional advice about your condition. In some cases, I may contact them during your visit, so we can discuss your care together. If we decide you need a specialty appointment after that discussion, we can often schedule it the same day or soon thereafter.
If you are due for preventive screenings or tests
As part of our commitment to prevention, additional members of our health care team may contact you to come in for a visit or test. We will contact you if you are overdue for cancer screenings or conditions which may require monitoring.
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Convenient Resources for You
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My goal is to provide high quality care and to offer you choices that make your health care convenient. I recommend that you become familiar with the many resources we offer so that you can choose the services that work best for you.
My Doctor Online is available 24/7 so that you can access and manage your care where and when it is most convenient. From my home page you can:
Manage your care securely
- View and compose secure e-mail messages.
- Manage your prescriptions and schedule appointments.
- View your past visits and test results.
- View your preventive services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
Learn more about your condition
- Read about causes, symptoms, treatments and procedures.
- Find interactive health tools, videos, and podcasts to help you manage your condition.
- View programs to help you decide on or prepare for a surgery or procedure.
Stay healthy
- Locate health education classes and support groups offered at our medical center.
- Explore interactive programs, videos, and podcasts that focus on helping you stay healthy.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
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Related Health Tools:
Interactive Programs
- Quit Tobacco Medications Quit Tobacco Medications
- Quit smoking with Breathe™ Quit smoking with Breathe™
Podcasts
- Quitting Smoking Quitting Smoking
- Second-Hand Smoke Second-Hand Smoke
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.