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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Body Pain And Sneezing Post A Pneumonia Recovery

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Posted on Wed, 28 Sep 2016
Question: After a bought (5 months)of pneumonia and finally 7 days of antibiotics, I still cough (though not as often) have sneezing episodes, my body aches, especially my back, I have little energy and probably am somewhat depressed. I've increased my vitamin "D", taken large doses of probiotics and try to eat healthy. I also go to the gym 6 days a week and exercise for at least an hour each day. My question is this, "does pneumonia affect a person for this length of time and/or should I be concerned?"

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Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
pneumonia can last for a very long time

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If left untreated pneumonia can last for a very long time. Whether or not you need to be concerned depends upon when you took the antibiotics.
By the end of the 7 days of antibiotics then you should be somewhat better with less coughing and no fever, but the cough and fatigue can still last for several weeks and should return to normal within 4-6 weeks.
If you had the antibiotics more than 4-6 weeks ago and are still coughing and feeling bad then you need to return to your doctor and will probably need another chest xray to make sure there is nothing else going on.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Body Pain And Sneezing Post A Pneumonia Recovery

Brief Answer: pneumonia can last for a very long time Detailed Answer: Hello, If left untreated pneumonia can last for a very long time. Whether or not you need to be concerned depends upon when you took the antibiotics. By the end of the 7 days of antibiotics then you should be somewhat better with less coughing and no fever, but the cough and fatigue can still last for several weeks and should return to normal within 4-6 weeks. If you had the antibiotics more than 4-6 weeks ago and are still coughing and feeling bad then you need to return to your doctor and will probably need another chest xray to make sure there is nothing else going on. Please let me know if you have further questions. Dr. Robinson