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Chest infections - adult - Management
What self-care advice should I give to a person with community-acquired pneumonia?
- Use paracetamol or ibuprofen as required to reduce temperature and symptoms of malaise (see the section on Analgesia in Prescribing information).
- Rest and drink sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Advise people to observe the frequency and colour of their urine. Fluid intake should be increased if urine is passed infrequently and is dark in colour.
- Cough medicines are not recommended.
- People who smoke should be advised to quit. Offer support and treatment in stopping smoking (see the CKS topic on Smoking cessation).
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