Pneumonia injections

With pneumonia, the patient is prescribed a number of medications to relieve symptoms and fight pathogens.

Pneumonia shots are not always necessary, but they are considered a more effective form of medication than pills. The doctor may prescribe injections depending on the spread of the disease and the condition of the patient. 

Indications

The effectiveness of intramuscular administration of drugs has been proven by years of medical practice. The active substances of the solutions quickly penetrate to the focus of inflammation and stop the development of pathogens. Compared to tablets and capsules, injections do not pass through the gastrointestinal tract, so there are fewer side effects.      

It is permissible to administer injections for pneumonia under the following conditions:

• The patient is a seriously ill patient with reduced immunity and severe symptoms. Complications are likely to develop.  
• Previous medications did not cure pneumonia or relieve symptoms.  
• The temperature is quite high and does not subside, which is why the patient is in a fever.
• The patient has sputum with impurities of pus and blood.

Antibiotics in injections cannot be prescribed without a good reason, therefore, the patient first undergoes a series of diagnostic procedures in the clinic. Based on the examination data and the final diagnosis, the doctor determines the appropriate drugs and dosage.  

Contraindications

When using injections from pneumonia, it is necessary to pass an analysis on the state of the circulatory system. Thick blood is a contraindication to the administration of antibiotics intramuscularly, since the active substances simply do not reach the focus of inflammation. To remedy the situation, doctors inject Heparin into the abdomen – this injection quickly thinns the blood and allows you to inject with antibacterial drugs. Babies are at risk of pneumonia, so injections are often necessary for them. Adults cannot independently treat a child: if they suspect pneumonia, they must be taken to a doctor. The so-called “hot stab” is contraindicated in pregnant women, mothers during breast- feeding, in patients with abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels.    

      

It must be remembered that alcohol and antibiotics are incompatible, so during the period of treatment it is important not to drink alcoholic beverages and alcohol-based medicines .      

Varieties of drugs

There are two groups of medicines according to the type of exposure:

• bactericidal: destroy pathogens;
• bacteriostatic: inhibit the reproduction of microorganisms.

The drugs of the first group include Ceftriaxone . Initially, it is produced in powder granules for dilution with water. The medicine effectively acts on various strains of microorganisms that cause pneumonia. The injection is given intramuscularly, in the same proportions with lidocaine, and the course of antibiotic therapy is 14 days or more.    

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a third generation penicillin drug , it is also a bactericidal agent, but it is used at the first stage of the development of the disease. Its advantage lies in the fact that the drug is allowed to prick children because of the minimal list of contraindications and side effects. Nevertheless, this does not make Amoxicillin a safe remedy: consultation with a specialist is still necessary.       

Cefazolin

It is called an analogue of Ceftriaxone because of the similarity of the composition and mode of action on the site of infection. Practice shows that Cefazolin is less effective, but it is necessary in a situation where the use of Ceftriaxone is contraindicated for the patient .    

Azithromycin

With pneumonia, injections with this drug are given only in the first days of treatment. Further therapy takes place with the use of tablets. Such a scheme is called “stepwise”, and, as statistics show, a short course of intramuscular injections with oral agents brings the patient to recovery faster.     

Bacteriostatic drugs include macrolides, tetracyclines, and streptogramins . Typically, doctors prescribe both types of anti-inflammatory combination therapy.  

How to give injections correctly

In some cases, the patient is allowed to be treated at home, but the injections are given only by a medical professional who comes to the patient ‘s home. If this is not possible, then the procedure can be learned under the supervision of a physician.    

Injections for pneumonia must be placed correctly so as not to harm the patient:

• From time to time you need to wash your hands with antibacterial soap, wear gloves and treat the surface of the skin where the injection will be placed.  
• You need to make sure that the solution is not expired and does not have a strange color. In the production of drugs, mistakes can be made, so you should pay attention and, in the event of a marriage, take a new tool.   
• The syringe with the medicine must be turned so that the needle is pointing up, and the plunger is gently pressed. All the air will come out and a drop will appear at the end of the needle.
• During the injection, the patient should lie down so that the muscles are relaxed. 
• Just before injection, the skin should be slightly stretched with two fingers. If the patient is a newborn or very thin, it is recommended to fold the skin a little.  
• The injection itself is a quick and sharp movement. Ideally, the needle enters 1/4 of its length vertically. It is better not to inject at an angle, as is done when injected into a vein, as there is a risk of the solution going under the skin. 
• The agent should be injected slowly, and after the end of the procedure, you need to wipe the injection site with an alcohol-based cotton swab.

The name “hot injections” came from the feeling of heat experienced by the patient after administration of sodium chloride. They are only given intravenously. The main feature of this injection is the very slow administration of the drug. The rest of the procedure is similar to standard injections.  

Precautionary measures

To avoid the negative consequences of injections with pneumonia, you need to be under medical supervision and regularly undergo examinations. 

Between the sessions of injections, a certain time interval must be observed, which is necessary to maintain the concentration of the active substance in the blood. It is also necessary to clean your hands before each injection so as not to introduce infection into the blood.

Before injecting therapy, you need to undergo an allergy test so as not to experience the full range of allergic reactions. You can check it at home: just make a small cut on your wrist and drip a little solution on it.    

In what cases is it better to go to the hospital

In case of a severe course of the disease, inpatient treatment is necessary

As a rule, young children and the elderly are admitted to the hospital , since their immunity is not always able to cope with the disease. If the patient loses consciousness, the concentration of urea in the blood exceeds normal limits, and the pressure becomes extremely low, then pneumonia will have to be treated within the walls of a medical facility. The duration of hospitalization cannot be called immediately, however, patients rarely stay more than 1 month late .       

With mild to moderate pneumonia, the patient is on outpatient treatment, that is, at home. However, in case of a serious deterioration in well-being, it is necessary to call an ambulance and not abandon the hospital. This often occurs with bilateral pneumonia or complications.   

Pneumonia shots are an effective treatment for people of all ages. It is not recommended to do them yourself, since only a knowledgeable person can observe all the nuances of the procedure. Ideally, the injection course should be done in a hospital setting.