Treatment of pneumonia depends on which type of pneumonia is present. For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics can be prescribed and are almost always effective in clearing the infection. Antibiotics are not effective against viral pneumonia or some other types of pneumonia. In these cases, the infection usually clears without medication.

An essential element of treatment for all types of pneumonia involves the care the patient should receive at home. This includes:

• Getting adequate rest.
  
  
• Drinking plenty of fluids.
  
  
• Taking over-the-counter medication to help fever. However, aspirin should never be provided to children due to the risk of the rare, but potentially fatal, Reye’s syndrome.
  
  
• Taking mild cough suppressants. It is important not to completely suppress the cough because coughing helps the lungs clear infected matter.
  
  
• Finishing all prescribed medication.

Depending on the type of pneumonia it may take several weeks to recover fully, although some symptoms may start to disappear after a few days of treatment. With certain strains of pneumonia, such as mycoplasma pneumonia, the patient may experience fatigue long after other symptoms cease. 

Healthy adults with pneumonia are rarely hospitalized because home treatment for pneumonia is usually simple and effective. However, children and older adults, as well as those with complications arising from pneumonia, are sometimes admitted to the hospital for treatment. While hospitalized, patients may be administered oxygen therapy and antibiotics through an intravenous (I.V.) drip. The period of hospitalization varies.