How long does pneumonia usually last?

How long does pneumonia usually last?

Richard Sheldon (Medical Advisor to the CA State Respiratory Care Board) gives expert video advice on: What are the most common symptoms of pneumonia?; How can I prevent pneumonia? and more...

Pneumonias will last based on the organism that you find infecting the lung. Viral pneumonias usually last a week to 10 days. Bacterial pneumonias, if you're young and healthy with no underlying lung damage such as asthma or bronchitis, they'll last a week or so. If however, you're much, much older, with a lot of underlying problems, then yes, you can have a considerable amount of debility and this will go on for weeks and weeks.