Reply #9: Having dealt with pneumonia and bronchitis multiple times

[Dappleganger]

along with asthma complications, both for myself and our asthmatic children, this is what you need to know:

Sleep as much as possible, stay well-hydrated with clear liquids. Gatorade is a great choice.
No milk products whatsoever.
Ask your doctor to give you a prescription for a nebulizing machine and nebulizer meds for your lungs. You'll want to have regular neb treatments using albuterol or whatever the doctor recommends. Do this even in the middle of the night for the first few days. Doing this always makes a HUGE difference in clearing the lungs.
Steroids--namely, prednisone. This will attack the swelling in your bronchial tubes and always makes a big difference.
Antibiotics alone won't kick pnuemonia--you have to have steroids too.

Avoid extreme hot/cold temperature swings.

Even when you begin to feel better, don't stop the neb treatments, hydration or rest. Pneumonia can creep back very quickly and then you could end up even more compromised than before.

SOME pnuemonia is contagious, so make sure your family is watched and stays away from close contact. We had this happen twice where two kids kept passing it back and forth to each other, subsequently missing about 2 months of school (and one had two hospital stays). NOT good.

Do everything possible to stay out of the ER because of the illnesses there. Try to see a doctor who has access to x-rays on site.

Hope you feel better soon!