New to pneumonia

[Sj005a]

Hi guys I'm a fifty year old maintenance technician (ex smoker).

I've been fit as a fiddle no real issues until five weeks ago when out of the blue I'm rushed into hospital blues and twos. After a week of oxygen and tests and drips I've been told I had pneumonia and plurisy. Still finding this hard to get my head round and recover from. How did this happen.

[hypercat54]

As far as I am aware pneumonia is caused by a virus so I presume you caught it the same way as everyone else. I have never had it but have seen others say it can take a good couple of months before you feel like yourself again. I guess a lot depends on how badly you had it.

I hope you feel better soon. x

[GMcC2]

It can come completely out of the blue. I have had it 3 times in the last 2 years (never had it before that) and after millions of tests they can only put it down to 'bad luck'. After one bout it seems it's easy to catch again as your lungs are more susceptible. It also takes a few months to fully recover properly. I'd suggest you make sure you get a flu jab, take vitamin D and try to take really good care of yourself over the Winter. Hope you feel much better soon.

[Ergendl]

Hope you feel better soon. Try not to rush things too much.

[Badbessie]

I had bilateral pneumonia 20 months ago. There could be many reasons why you caught it from being run down to as some have suggested bad luck. The important issue in my opinion is giving yourself time to recover. Very often the lungs will take time to recover fully. It took me 4 to 6 months before I fully felt like my old self. Do not push things and allow yourself plenty of rest. Eat a good balanced diet and for the present time keep away from people with chest infections. Having pneumonia can at times make you more open to secondary infections in the recovery phase. People report being tired washed out etc for long periods post infection so please let your body dictate when you return to work. You may need a phased return.

[shouty]

I have had a Pneumonia jab as well as Flu jab so might be worth asking Drs about getting one to protect you

[mauschen]

Hi, sorry to hear about your illness. Pneunonia can be caused by bacteria, virus or fungi, have a look on Blf website.

Hope you feel better soon.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...