The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia

On Behalf of | Sep 8, 2015 | Failure To Diagnose

A recent report by the American Lung Association on the subject of pneumonia may be of interest to New Mexico residents. Besides outlining the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the sickness, the report offers several recovery tips.

A person who is suffering with pneumonia will most likely experience symptoms similar to the common cold. However, these symptoms get worse after 12 to 36 hours and include chills that produce trembling, a high fever, extreme sweating, fatigue, and coughing that could produce yellowish, green or bloody mucus. If the pneumonia is viral or bacterial, patients may experience a higher temperature, extreme sweating, and an increase in their pulse rate and breathing. Additionally, they could become disoriented.

Pneumonia patients may benefit from a trip to the doctor who will examine the person’s breathing and listen for a crackling sound. Then, the patient may be advised to undergo a chest x-ray and other tests such as a CT scan, sputum tests or a bronchoscopy.

Cures for pneumonia include rest, acetaminophen or aspirin for fevers and a large intake of fluids to break up phlegm. Pneumonia generally lasts a week but may continue for several more weeks in middle-aged and older patients. During the recovery period, it is vital the patient gets sufficient rest; otherwise, the pneumonia could return. Hospitalization may benefit people who do not improve or whose symptoms get worse.

Individuals who seek remedial advice from a physician or another medical professional expect that they will receive correct treatment. However, in many cases, patients suffer a significant injury because of a failure to diagnose. Under these circumstances, the injured individual might consider seeking compensation via a medical malpractice suit. If an attorney determines there was a violation in the standard of care and that the plaintiff’s severe injuries were caused by negligence, there is a possibility the plaintiff could be awarded damages.

Source: American Lung Association, “Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment, Sept. 4, 2015

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