How severe it depends on what caused the inflammation, plus your age and overall health are also factors. The second kind of pneumonia is called walking pneumonia. You may need any of the following: Antibiotics help treat a bacterial infection. Q. The contagious period for pneumonia depends on how soon you start treatment. Bacteria are the most common cause. Now that we know the types of pneumonia that are contagious then it is equally important to know that the duration of its contagiousness. Is pneumonia contagious? Viruses or bacteria, which are contagious, cause most forms of pneumonia. How Long Is Pneumonia Contagious? This all depends on the type of pneumonia that the affected individual has.Bacterial Pneumonia is extremely contagious and can easily pass from an individual to another through close contact. That said, certain bacterial infections may leave you contagious after more than two weeks of antibiotic treatment. Breastfeeding allows the mother to pass on antigens to her baby in breastmilk, and these will help fight off bacteria and viruses by inducing a positive immune response in the baby. There are two major types of pneumonia: bacterial and viral. A small serving of caffeine, such as what you would get in a cup of coffee or tea, may help open your airways to encourage easier breathing. The Various Forms of Pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia: If food, drink, vomit, or saliva is inhaled into the lungs, it can lead to an infection. An individual with Pneumonia will have his or her air sacs in the lungs filled with pus which will cause the various symptoms like coughing and fever consistent with Pneumonia. Walking pneumonia: This non-medical term is used to describe mild cases of pneumonia. Find a Physician                            Privacy Policy, Images and Text Policy                Editorial Policy, Information Policy                        Advertising Policy, Financial Disclosure Policy          Cookie Policy, About Us                                        Contact Us. The three main tenets of treating pneumonia at home are: Beyond that, there are some ways you may be able to manage certain symptoms. A bacterial pneumonia is less likely to be contagious after taking antibiotics for few days. Continue Reading. Thus it is essential for an individual with Bacterial Pneumonia to begin antibiotics immediately to reduce contagiousness. For how long is pneumonia contagious in children? The immune system needs to repopulate itself with helpful bacteria, and until that happens, there is an increased risk for further infections like PLA. You can aid the medication by drinking plenty of fluids and getting rest. In cases of bacterial and viral pneumonia, which are the two most contagious forms, if treatment is started immediately after diagnosis then the duration that the affected individual can transmit this disease to someone else is shorter. Bacterial pneumonia: A bacterial infection of the lungs, this type of pneumonia is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Is pneumonia contagious? How does pneumonia become contagious or how does pneumonia spread from person to person? Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. The type of pneumonia an individual has depends on whether only a single lung is affected or whether both the lungs are equally affected. This article may contains scientific references. It can be in just one part of the lungs, or it can involve many parts. Sign Up for the Latest Health News and Tips, Home » General Health » Is Pneumonia Contagious? There is some evidence to suggest that using a handheld fan may reduce breathlessness. Individuals with a compromised immune system tend to get this form of pneumonia with symptoms to include fever, chills and shortness of breath. Viral Pneumonia: Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Bacterial Pneumonia: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Pneumonia: Causes, Types, Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Home Remedies, Prevention, Loss of Appetite After Pneumonia: Causes, Home Remedies, Recovery Period, Effects, What is Zoonotic Atypical Pneumonia, Know its Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Types. In order to prevent getting pneumonia, it is important to wash hands before and after touching food or after blowing your nose. Get To Know What Possibly Could Be Causing Your Symptoms! Types, Symptoms, and Risk Factors. The third type of pneumonia is the viral pneumonia. The most common one is Streptococcus (pneumococcus), but other bacteria can … What Does Acute Respiratory Failure Feel Like? And although antibiotics are always thought of as the go-to treatment for pneumonia, they aren’t always effective. The infection impacts the lungs by filling air sacs with fluid, leading to inflammation. However, rarely, the treatment may have to be administered for at least two weeks or more before a person is no longer contagious, depending upon … Bacterial pneumonia becomes less contagious when a sick individual has taken antibiotic treatment for about 1-2 days. Each is contracted and spread differently. However, pneumonia caused by poisons or chemical fumes is not infectious, since infectious agents do not create it. 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