Can pneumonia go away on its own?

Yes, pneumonia can go away on its own, but only when it is considered mild.

Walking pneumonia refers to a case of pneumonia that is so mild that you can go about day-to-day activities throughout the course of the illness. It can feel like a very bad cold and may go away with self-care, but your doctor can help you decide if you need additional treatment.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs when the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs become inflamed. Symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough (that produces phlegm or mucus)
• Difficulty breathing and/or chest pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion.

Pneumonia can be caused by a bacteria, virus or fungi. For some people, it can take up to a month to recover from pneumonia, while others rebound much faster, sometimes within 3 to 5 days. The cough, however, can last for weeks or months even after treatment. A lot of this depends on the cause and severity of the pneumonia, along with your general health status and age.

Viral pneumonia is often treated with rest and over-the-counter medications. Sometimes an antiviral medication is needed.

Bacterial pneumonia requires a course of antibiotics.

In general, managing symptoms is key for all types of pneumonia. This includes:

• Taking medication to reduce fever
• Staying hydrated to break up phlegm
• Drinking warm beverages or using a humidifier to help open airways and ease breathing.

Severe cases of pneumonia may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and oxygen therapy.