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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMost people who have pneumonia see a family doctor or a primary care provider. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in treating lung disease (pulmonologist) or an infectious diseases doctor, or you may be advised to go to an emergency room.
To get the most information at your appointment, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Record your temperature.
- Write down key personal information, including recent hospitalizations or exposure to any chemicals or known toxins.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.
- Bring a family member or friend along, if possible. It may be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may help you remember.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help make the most of your time with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important. For pneumonia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have other health conditions. How will my pneumonia affect them?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
- If you don't recommend immediate hospitalization for me, how long can we wait before considering hospitalization?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment any time that you don't understand or need information clarified.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. It's helpful if you can answer them. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Have you traveled or had unusual exposures?
What you can do in the meantime
To keep from making your condition worse:
- Don't smoke or be around smoke.
- Don't drink alcohol.
- If you have signs and symptoms of pneumonia, don't go to work or school until your doctor gives you the go-ahead because getting enough rest is important.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- If you get sicker before you see a doctor, go to an emergency room.
- Pneumonia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch052/ch052a.html. Accessed April 8, 2011.
- Pneumonia. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/pneumonia/. Accessed March 17, 2011.
- Durrington H, et al. Recent changes in the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:1429.
- Menendez R, et al. Treatment failure in community-acquired pneumonia. Chest. 2007;132:1348.
- Singh S, et al. Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2009;169:219.
- Chong C, et al. Pneumonia in the elderly: A review of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, microbiology and clinical features. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:1141.
- Chong C, et al. Pneumonia in the elderly: A review of severity assessment, prognosis, mortality, prevention and treatment. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:1134.
- Pneumococcal disease in-short. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pneumo/in-short-both.htm. Accessed March 23, 2011.
- File TM. Treatment of hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and healthcare-associated pneumonia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2011.
- Mandell LA, et al. Pneumonia. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2899132. Accessed April 5, 2011.
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