Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for pneumonia. This is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or other germs.
The doctor might give you antibiotics or other medicines, based on the cause of your pneumonia. You should start to feel better within about a week. You might feel tired and have a cough for a longer time.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.
●Stay away from smoke-filled places. Avoid other things that can cause breathing problems like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens.
●Carry your inhaler with you all the time, if you have one. Take it when you feel short of breath. Take all your other medicines as instructed.
●Drink lots of water, juice, or broth, unless your doctor told you otherwise. This helps replace fluids lost through a runny nose and fever.
●Take warm, steamy showers to help soothe your cough. You can also use a cool mist humidifier if your doctor told you to. If you try this, keep the humidifier clean.
●Use hard candy or cough drops to soothe sore throat and cough.
●Wash your hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection to others.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
•Are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time
•Need to sit upright at all times to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down
•Are coughing up a lot of blood (more than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL)
●Return to the ED if you:
•Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills, even after taking your medicines
•Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your shortness of breath does not get better after a few days.
●You cough up a small amount of blood (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL).
●Your symptoms are not getting better in 3 to 4 days.
●You are still coughing in 3 to 4 weeks.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Community-acquired pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumocystis pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Aspiration pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Shortness of breath (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia prevention in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic cough in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) (Beyond the Basics)
