K.N.O.W. Home Health - VIRAL PNEUMONIA

Viral Pneumonia – Patient Education

What It Is

Viral pneumonia is a lung infection caused by viruses. The infection makes the air sacs in your lungs fill with fluid or mucus, which makes it hard to breathe. It often follows a cold or flu.

Causes and Risk Factors

You can catch viral pneumonia when you breathe in droplets from a sick person’s cough or sneeze. Sometimes the virus spreads from the nose or throat down into the lungs.

You are more at risk if you:

Are very young (babies and young children)
Are older than 65 years
Have a weak immune system (due to illness, medicine, or age)
Have chronic lung diseases like asthma or COPD
Smoke cigarettes
Live or work in crowded places

Signs and Symptoms

Early signs:

Fever and chills
Dry cough that may become wet
Feeling tired or weak
Headache and muscle aches
Shortness of breath during activity

Other symptoms:

Chest discomfort or pain
Rapid breathing or heart rate
Sweating or clammy skin
Loss of appetite

Complications if Untreated or Not Following Care Plan

If you don’t treat viral pneumonia or don’t follow your care plan, you may develop:

Worsening lung infection or damage
Bacterial pneumonia on top of the viral infection
Difficulty breathing or low oxygen levels
Lung abscess or fluid around the lungs (rare)
Severe illness needing hospital care

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

Rest – Your body needs energy to fight the infection.
Fluids – Drink lots of water, juice, or broth to stay hydrated.
Medications – Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines if needed.
Fever and pain relief – Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed.
Oxygen therapy – If your oxygen levels are low, you may need oxygen.
Avoid smoking – Smoking can make your lungs worse.

Common Types of Medications

Antiviral medicines – Example: oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for certain viruses.
- Purpose: Stop viruses from multiplying.
- Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, headache.
Fever reducers and pain relievers – Acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Purpose: Lower fever and ease body aches.
- Side effects: Possible upset stomach or allergic reaction.

Dietary Needs

Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and protein to help your body heal.
Drink clear fluids to stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dry you out.
Eat small meals if you have little appetite.

Lifestyle Changes

Get enough rest until you feel better.
Avoid crowded places and sick people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Get your yearly flu shot and other vaccines.

Safety Considerations

Take all medications exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Watch for side effects from medicines.
Use oxygen safely if prescribed — no smoking near oxygen.
Tell your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have new problems.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay up to date with vaccines like flu and COVID-19.
Clean and disinfect surfaces often.
Rest and treat colds or flu early to avoid pneumonia.

When to Call for Help

Call your Home Health Agency or Doctor if:

Fever lasts more than 3 days or gets worse
Cough worsens or mucus changes color or amount
Shortness of breath increases during normal activities
You feel more tired or weak than before
You have side effects from your medicine (rash, stomach upset)

Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have severe trouble breathing or cannot speak full sentences
Lips or face turn blue or gray
Sudden confusion or difficulty staying awake
Severe chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes
Coughing up blood or large amounts of mucus

Patient Homework/Assessment

Instructions: Choose “True” or “False” for each statement. Correct any false statements.

True or False – Viral pneumonia is caused by bacteria.
True or False – You can catch viral pneumonia from a sick person’s cough or sneeze.
True or False – Fever, cough, and tiredness are common symptoms.
True or False – Antiviral medicines can sometimes help treat viral pneumonia.
True or False – You should stop medicines as soon as you feel better.
True or False – Drinking fluids helps you recover from pneumonia.
True or False – Smoking does not affect your lungs during pneumonia.
True or False – Rest is important to help your body heal.
True or False – Washing your hands can prevent the spread of viruses.
True or False – You should cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
True or False – Viral pneumonia only happens in elderly people.
True or False – You should avoid crowded places when sick.
True or False – Fever that lasts more than 3 days should be reported to your doctor.
True or False – Oxygen therapy may be needed if you have trouble breathing.
True or False – Over-the-counter medicines can help reduce fever and pain.
True or False – Severe chest pain or trouble breathing needs emergency care.
True or False – Eating healthy food helps your body fight infection.
True or False – Alcohol helps you recover faster from pneumonia.
True or False – You should stay home from work or school when you are sick.
True or False – Vaccines can help prevent some types of pneumonia.

Individualized Patient Questions

What symptoms have you been experiencing?
Have you taken your prescribed medicines as directed?
How many glasses of water do you drink each day?
Have you noticed any side effects from your medicines?
Are you able to rest and sleep well?
Do you have any trouble breathing?
When was your last fever, and how high was it?
Have you had your flu or COVID-19 vaccine this year?
Do you know when to call your doctor or emergency services?
Are you following the advice to avoid smoking and crowded places?

Answer Key with Explanations

False – Viral pneumonia is caused by viruses, not bacteria.
True – You can catch it from a sick person’s cough or sneeze.
True – Fever, cough, and tiredness are common symptoms.
True – Antiviral medicines can help treat some viral pneumonias.
False – You should finish all your medicines as prescribed, even if you feel better.
True – Drinking fluids helps keep you hydrated and thins mucus.
False – Smoking harms your lungs and can make pneumonia worse.
True – Rest helps your body heal from infection.
True – Washing hands helps prevent the spread of viruses.
True – Covering your mouth prevents spreading germs to others.
False – Viral pneumonia can affect people of all ages, not just elderly.
True – Avoiding crowds reduces the chance of spreading or catching infection.
True – Fever lasting more than 3 days should be reported to your doctor.
True – Oxygen therapy may be needed if breathing is difficult.
True – Over-the-counter medicines can lower fever and ease pain.
True – Severe chest pain or trouble breathing needs emergency care.
True – Healthy food helps your body fight infection and heal.
False – Alcohol can dehydrate you and weaken your immune system.
True – Staying home helps you rest and prevents spreading illness.
True – Vaccines help prevent some types of pneumonia.