Pneumonia and Recovery After Chest Infections
After pneumonia or another chest infection, recovery can be slow, a cough can linger, and some people keep getting infections. Dr. David Kupferberg, a pulmonary and critical care physician with more than 25 years of experience, sees patients in Jerusalem and Efrat to review their recovery and look for reasons infections come back.
Dr. Kupferberg sees patients aged 16 and over.
Dr. David KupferbergPulmonary & Critical Care Physician
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue itself, usually caused by bacteria or viruses. The tiny air sacs in the affected part of the lung fill with fluid, which makes breathing harder.
“Chest infection” is a broader, everyday term that covers pneumonia and also infections of the airways, such as bronchitis. Some of the germs that cause these infections can spread from person to person.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- A cough, often bringing up phlegm
- Fever, sweating or shivering
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that is worse when you breathe in or cough
- Tiredness and feeling generally unwell
When should I see a lung specialist?
Severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, or a high fever with difficulty breathing needs urgent care: call Magen David Adom at 101 or go to the nearest emergency room.
See a lung specialist if:
- You’ve had pneumonia more than once
- Recovery is taking longer than expected
- A cough or breathlessness remains weeks after the infection
- A follow-up X-ray hasn’t cleared
- You have an underlying lung condition and keep getting chest infections
How does Dr. Kupferberg evaluate slow recovery or repeated infections?
Dr. Kupferberg sees patients after pneumonia and for chest infections that keep coming back, in the clinic, by video, or at home when needed and feasible. The evaluation usually includes:
- A review of the infection, your X-rays or CT scans, and your recovery so far.
- A search for reasons infections keep coming back, such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, reflux or immune problems, with further tests coordinated if needed.
- Spirometry to check your lung function once you’ve recovered. Spirometry is charged in addition to the consultation.
- A plan for follow-up and vaccines.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to recover from pneumonia?
Fever and chest pain usually improve within a week of treatment, but full recovery often takes longer. Many people still feel tired and have a cough for a few weeks, and some take a month or more to feel back to normal, especially older adults. See your doctor if you’re getting worse or not improving as expected.
Why do I still have a cough after pneumonia?
After pneumonia, the airways can stay inflamed and sensitive for several weeks, so a lingering cough is common and usually settles on its own. If it lasts more than about eight weeks, gets worse, or comes with breathlessness, fever or blood in the phlegm, it should be reviewed to check for asthma, bronchiectasis or other causes.
What is walking pneumonia?
“Walking pneumonia” is an informal term for a milder pneumonia where people feel unwell but can still go about their day. It’s often caused by an organism called Mycoplasma. Symptoms include a persistent cough, tiredness and low fever. It usually responds to treatment, but see a doctor if you’re getting more breathless or not improving.
Why do I keep getting chest infections?
Repeated chest infections can be a sign of an underlying problem, such as asthma or COPD, bronchiectasis, swallowing problems or reflux, smoking, or a weakened immune system. A lung specialist looks for the cause with your history, imaging and breathing tests. Finding it can help prevent further infections. Vaccines against flu, pneumococcus and COVID-19 also help.
Sources
Book a follow-up after a chest infection
See Dr. Kupferberg in Jerusalem, in Efrat or by video if your recovery is slow, a cough lingers or chest infections keep coming back.
In an emergency, such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call Magen David Adom at 101 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Related pages
Chronic Cough
Step-by-step evaluation of a cough that won’t go away, to find the cause and treat it.
Bronchiectasis
Care for widened, scarred airways that cause a daily cough and repeated chest infections, with a plan to reduce flare-ups.
Breathing Tests
Spirometry, lung volumes and walking oximetry in the clinic, with spirometry and oximetry also offered at home visits, plus clear instructions on how to prepare.
Home Visits
Visits at home by Dr. Kupferberg in the Jerusalem area and Gush Etzion, when needed and feasible, with portable breathing tests available.