For most cases, the patient may recover at home. It usually takes 1-6 weeks of bed rest, but may take longer for the very young and the elderly. Walking pneumonia takes longer to heal than bacterial or viral pneumonia. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antiviral medication, cough medicine, or decongestants. He may also suggest over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin.
Hospitalization may be necessary in some cases, especially with bacterial pneumonia. In the hospital, they may give oxygen to help the patient breathe, remove fluid that has built up in the lung, and give fluid and medicine intravenously.
