What is the main treatment for pneumonia?

The main treatment for pneumonia is antibiotics. Pneumonia is often caused by bacterial infections; therefore, the primary focus in treatment is to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the infection. Antibiotics work by targeting the specific bacteria and preventing them from multiplying, which helps reduce the infection and associated symptoms.

In cases where pneumonia is caused by viruses or fungi, different types of medications may be used, but bacterial pneumonia is the most common form, making antibiotics the standard treatment. Prompt administration of the appropriate antibiotic can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce the duration of symptoms.

While other treatments such as CPAP therapy, PEEP therapy, or anticoagulants like heparin might have roles in managing respiratory distress or complications associated with pneumonia, they do not directly address the underlying infection in the way that antibiotics do.