The treatment of pneumonia varies depending on how unwell a patient is.

In cases of mild pneumonia where the cause is bacterial, pneumonia can be treated at home by giving plenty of rest, taking antibiotics and drinking plenty of fluids.¹ In more severe cases some people may require hospitalisation where the average length of stay is 10 days*.²

Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many symptoms with other conditions such as the common cold, bronchitis and asthma.¹ With increasing antibiotic resistance, vaccination is particularly important because it helps to protect people from becoming unwell and provides another way to help prevent infection.³

*Pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, in all ages.