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Pneumonia: Preventing Re-infection
Pneumonia: Preventing Re-infectionTranscript (page 1 of 2)In the hospital, safety precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of yourpneumonia to those who take care of you – other patients and your visitors. Thesemethods also protect you from becoming worse or re-infected once you’re recovering.Depending on the severity and contagiousness of your pneumonia, hospitalprecautions may include: frequent hand washing, or the use of sanitary hand gel bythe hospital staff and you, the use of gowns and clean gloves, masks for caregiversand you to wear, and sometimes, isolation during recovery.Don’t be surprised if hospital workers take these precautions when assisting you.They’re taken to protect everyone’s safety, and depending on your specific condition,may be hospital policy.If you are able to have visitors, ask the hospital staff what safety precautions guestsneed to follow. Both in the hospital, and once you return home, don’t be shy aboutasking people to stay away if they have a cold or other illness or asking people towash their hands before they touch you.During your recovery and after, you’ll continue be at a high risk of developing lunginfections, including pneumonia. To prevent the spread of infections, wash yourhands frequently with soap and water after touching public objects like keyboards,doorknobs and handrails; handling disposable tissues after coughing or sneezing intothem; before meals and after using the restroom. And use hand sanitizer if soap andwater are unavailable.Since you are at a higher risk of becoming re-infected, you need to know the warningsigns and symptoms of another lung infection.“I’m having trouble breathing.”The signs of re-infection are similar to those you may have experienced when20%yougradient meshfirst became ill. If you have any of these symptoms, call your healthcare providerimmediately: a fever; feeling tired or fatigued; muscle aches; coughing that expelsmucus; an increase in the amount of mucus you may cough up, or a change initshealthclipscolor or thickness; shortness of breath; and painful breathing.healthclipsYou may experience an increased heart rate, loss of appetite, confusion and vomiting.healthclipshealthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10035_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshPneumonia: Preventing Re-infectionTranscript (page 2 of 2)Symptoms may be a bit different for those over 65 and those who suffer from lung,or heart, disease or other chronic conditions. These symptoms include a minor coughthat won’t go away, confusion or fatigue.Call your healthcare provider as soon as you recognize any of these recurringsymptoms. This can help you begin to get proper treatment as soon as possible.Preventing and recognizing the spread of pneumonia is everyone’s concern. Takeproper precautions against re-infection and recognize the signs of re-infectionyourself.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_pd_10035_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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Understand what pneumonia is, how it affects the lungs, its symptoms, and how the lungs can become infected in the first place.
Learn the most common methods used to treat pneumonia, and how each one is used to help you recover quickly.
Watch what can happen to the lungs when pneumonia is left untreated, and learn some of the tools your doctor may use to confirm your diagnosis.
Watch this video to learn what a ventilator is and how it is used to save patients' lives.
