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Viral pneumonia

Alternative Names:
Pneumonia - viral

Treatment:
Antibiotics are not effective in treating viral pneumonia. Some of the more serious forms can be treated with antiviral medications. Other supportive care for viral pneumonia includes use of humidified air, increased fluids, and oxygen.. Hospitalization may be necessary to prevent dehydration and to help with breathing if the infection is serious.



Expectations (prognosis):
Most episodes of viral pneumonia improve without treatment within 1-3 weeks, but some episodes last longer and cause more serious symptoms requiring hospitalization.

Complications:

More serious infections can result in respiratory failure, liver failure, and heart failure. Sometimes bacterial infections begin during or just after viral pneumonia that can cause more serious forms of pneumonia.

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Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of viral pneumonia develop.

Review Date: 7/30/2002
Reviewed By: Christopher Parsons, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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