Pneumonia Recovery

Norton Pulmonary Specialists is a leader in treating lung patients in Louisville and Southern Indiana. We use the latest diagnostic tools identify pneumonia and provide treatments to get your recovery started.

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists have a wealth of experience pinpointing the location of the pneumonia infection as well as whether the cause is bacterial, viral or fungal. We’ll use the latest diagnostic tools and develop a customized treatment plan for you.

Having pneumonia can resemble a cold or the flu, but also may include a higher fever, chest pain, vomiting and diarrhea. If symptoms like these persist and you suspect you may have pneumonia, you should get tested immediately.

What Is Pneumonia?

A pneumonia infection inflames the lungs’ air sacs, filling them with fluid.

Pneumonia can be life-threatening and is most dangerous for young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. You should see a doctor if you have any of the following pneumonia symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever that persists at 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Persistent cough

Types of Pneumonia

• Streptococcus pneumoniae is bacterial and can occur after you’ve had a cold or the flu. It also occurs independently of other respiratory illnesses. When it affects one lobe of the lung, it’s called lobar pneumonia.
• Walking pneumonia, caused by the mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria, has milder symptoms.
• Viral pneumonia is caused by some of the same viruses that cause cold and flu. It’s one of the most common types of pneumonia and can lead to a bacterial infection.
• Various sources of inhaled fungus can cause pneumonia, and it’s particularly dangerous for patients with suppressed immune systems.

Pneumonia Treatment

Antibiotics can fight a bacterial infection. Other types of pneumonia respond to antivirals or antifungals. Often, the best course is managing symptoms, combined with bed rest.

Ways to treat the fever and cough of pneumonia:

• Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen
• Fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm
• Coughing is your body’s way of getting rid of the infection. Talk to your doctor before taking cough medicine. There are other ways to ease your cough so you can rest.
• Warm beverages, hot showers and a humidifier can help open your airways.
• If you smoke and are having trouble staying away from cigarettes while you recover, talk to your doctor.
• Bed rest. Get help if you can with household chores and don’t overdo your activities while you recover.

We meet as a team every week to collaborate on all of our cases, to bring you comprehensive care. When you work with Norton Pulmonary Specialists you work with a team of research specialists, physicians and medical professionals dedicated to finding the best treatment for you.

Care That’s Convenient for You

• Norton Pulmonary Specialists is recognized by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as an accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center — the only one in Kentucky. This distinction highlights our physicians’ expertise in pulmonary hypertension, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension, and their commitment to improving care and outcomes for patients with this life-threatening condition.
• Our staff includes interventional pulmonologists who are trained and experienced in minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment, including robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, meaning you’ll have access to advanced technology for your care.
• We have seven convenient Louisville-area locations: Northeastern Louisville, downtown Louisville, Newburg, Pleasure Ridge Park and Mount Washington, Kentucky; in Southern Indiana, Jeffersonville and Scottsburg.
• We provide pulmonary care and respiratory management of critical care patients at Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital.
• Norton Healthcare’s pulmonary rehabilitation program has three locations in Louisville and is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
• We work as a team with referring physicians, including pediatricians.
• Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.

About Norton Pulmonary Specialists

The board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians with Norton Pulmonary Specialists are leaders in caring for Louisville and Southern Indiana patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and other lung diseases.

• More than two dozen board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians with extensive experience specialize in diagnosis and management of all forms of lung diseases and sleep disorders, so you can get the care you need.
• The Norton Pulmonary Specialists team pursues leading-edge treatments, and our specialists are investigators on many clinical trials that give patients access to the latest treatments.
• Our specialists use robotic-assisted bronchoscopy to perform minimally invasive biopsies of the lung, which allows for greater precision during the important diagnostic procedure.  
• Norton Pulmonary Specialists is accredited by the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
• Our providers will give you a precise diagnosis and develop a customized treatment plan for your lung condition, so you can get back to living your best life.
• For asthma, your physician will work with you to develop a written asthma action plan to help you manage your symptoms.
• Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance plans are accepted.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.
• Norton Pulmonary Specialists is the only site in Kentucky accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association as a Center for Comprehensive Care.