Who wants to be stuck at home with pneumonia? No one. Yet according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 250,000 people have to seek care in a hospital due to pneumonia each year. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville doesn't want you to be one of them, which is why we want you to learn the ways you can try to prevent pneumonia this year, as well as how you can also avoid spreading the infection to others should you be diagnosed.

How Long Is Pneumonia Contagious?

Some of the germs that cause pneumonia can be contagious from person-to-person. If a person who is infected coughs, it can release the germs into the air, which can, then, be caught by another person—which is why it is so important to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and/or coughing. Fortunately, you won’t be contagious forever. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Once you’ve taken it for 24 to 48 hours, you will no longer be contagious. If your infection is viral, it may take a little longer, but you are considered no longer contagious once your fever is gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer.

Ways to Avoid Spreading Illness

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue.
• Avoid sharing cups or kitchen utensils with others.
• Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces.

How Can You Prevent Pneumonia?

Believe it or not, getting the flu vaccine can help you from getting pneumonia. That’s because pneumonia is a common complication of the flu. In addition, you want to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking. Also, try to stay away from people who are sick, and make sure you practice good hygiene on a regular basis, such as washing your hands as frequently as possible and covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

Foods That Can Help Speed Recovery of Pneumonia

• Nuts
• Seeds
• Beans
• White meat
• Cold water fish like salmon and sardines

Do you think you might be coming down with the pneumonia? Visit AFC Urgent Care Knoxville today for a medical evaluation and treatment plan!