Treatment:

Take these steps at home:

• Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
• Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. Cough medicines may make it harder for your body to cough up the extra sputum.
• Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm.
• Get a lot of rest. Have someone else do household chores.

Antibiotics are used to treat atypical pneumonia.

• You may be able to take antibiotics by mouth at home.
• If you have severe atypical pneumonia, you will likely be admitted to a hospital, where you will be given antibiotics through a vein (intravenously), as well as oxygen.
• Antibiotics are used for 2 weeks or more

Antibiotics used to treat atypical pneumonia include:

• Azithromycin
• Clarithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Fluoroquinolones and their derivatives (such as levofloxacin)
• Tetracyclines (such as doxycycline)

Expectations (prognosis):

Most patients with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydophila do well with the right antibiotic therapy. P.Legionella can be severe, leading to problems such as kidney failure, diabetes, COPD, a weak immune system, and death.

Complications:

• Brain and nervous system infections, such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis
• Hemolytic anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the blood because the body is destroying them
• Severe lung damage

Calling your health care provider:

Contact your health care provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are numerous causes for these symptoms. The doctor will need to rule out pneumonia.