At Your Appointment

Pneumonia Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.

• Have you or your loved been diagnosed with pneumonia?

  1. Yes, diagnosed
  2. No, undiagnosed
• Will this appointment be an in-office visit or an online/telehealth appointment?

  1. In-office visit
  2. Online/telehealth appointment
Submit

Top Questions Your Doctor May Ask You About Pneumonia If you’re having a telehealth appointment, it's helpful to keep these things in mind. Test your computer or smartphone to make sure you can log in without difficulties. Since the doctor can’t examine you in person, be very specific about your symptoms. Print this appointment guide or write down your questions so you remember what to ask, and consider having someone sit with you to listen in. Have your medicines with you so you can show the doctor the labels and doses, and if you are interested in a specific treatment, be sure to ask about it.

• Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
• Have you ever had pneumonia in the past?
• Does your cough produce phlegm? What color is it?
• What other medical conditions do you have, such as heart disease, heart failure, asthma, or COPD?
• Are you taking chemotherapy or other medicines that affect your immune system?
• Are you allergic to any medicines?
• Describe your symptoms. Do you have a cough, chest pain with deep breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, or fever?
• Have you tried any medicines to improve your symptoms?
• Have you recently traveled or been around someone who is sick?
• Do you smoke or use e-cigarettes?
• When was your last flu vaccine? Have you had a pneumonia vaccine?
• What other medical conditions do you have, such as heart disease, heart failure, asthma, or COPD? How are you treating your condition?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• What side effects are you experiencing from your medicines?
• What tests and treatments have you had so far?
• What new symptoms are you experiencing?

Top Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Pneumonia Many people forget to ask important questions at their doctor's appointments. You may want to print or write these questions down before your appointment so you remember to get the answers you need.

• What causes pneumonia?
• Could another medical condition be causing or contributing to my symptoms?
• How do you diagnose pneumonia?
• What treatments are available for pneumonia?
• Do I need to see a lung specialist or some other specialist?
• Do I need to be hospitalized for my pneumonia?
• Is pneumonia contagious?
• How long will the cough last?
• Will antibiotics treat my kind of pneumonia?
• What are the potential complications of pneumonia? What are the sign and symptoms?
• Do I need to get any vaccinations once I'm healthy?
• Could another antibiotic be just as effective with fewer side effects?
• Do my new or different symptoms mean my pneumonia is getting worse?
• What is the best treatment plan for my pneumonia symptoms?

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