Self-care

If you have pneumonia, the following measures can help you recover more quickly and decrease your risk of complications:

Get plenty of rest. Even when you start to feel better, be careful not to overdo it.

Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Liquids keep you from becoming dehydrated and help loosen mucus in your lungs.

Take the entire course of any prescribed medications. Stopping medication too soon can cause your pneumonia to come back and contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Keep all of your follow-up appointments. Even though you feel better, your lungs may still be infected. It's important to have your doctor monitor your progress.