Often, caregivers can even be trained to administer intravenous antibiotics and chest therapy to patients at home. Antibiotics Dozens of antibiotics are available that can treat most cases of pneumonia, but it is sometimes difficult for the physician to select the best drug. Often, the infecting organism is unknown. If it is known, treatment decisions are relatively straightforward, but there are still difficulties. Individuals respond differently to the same antibiotic depending on age, health, size, and other factors.
Patients can be allergic to certain antibiotics, thus requiring alternatives.
Patients may harbor strains of bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics. The physician must also decide whether a patient needs to be hospitalized or whether the antibiotics can be administered at home. Drugs are now being developed that need to be taken only once a day or for only three days. Antibiotics need to be administered intravenously or by injection for severe pneumonia. Intravenous antibiotics are first given in the hospital, usually from five to ten days, depending on severity.