Thank goodness I don't but my buddy does. So here's the deal. Last night he texted me saying that he will be on light physical duty when we go camping at a music festival for 5 days in upstate NY this Wednesday because he was hospitalized with pneumonia last Sunday. He says his last dose of antibiotics is that Wednesday. Now from all the reading I have done I do not believe he should be making the trip. It is a dusty pollen filled environment with people smoking all kinds of things and we are sleeping in a 30 year old Coleman camper. He's 34ish and from what I know usually has fairly good health. I just don't think he has enough time to recover and should not expose himself to this risk? I know recovery time varies by the individual but has anyone had any experience with the recovery time? I mean hopefully he listens to his body but I doubt that he will and I really don't want it to come to the "Hey man, you can make that 5 hour drive yourself if you feel good enough to go?" Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I just got over it. I worked for 3 weeks with it doing physical labor in the Texas heat. It all depends on the individual I suppose. If your buddy is telling you he is fine and knows what's in store, I think you need to trust his judgement:-)
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The hospitalization was more than likely for intravenous antibiotic therapy. I think if he listens to his body and feels comfortable going he should. There is great fresh air here in upstate Ny... Just kidding. But in all honesty he will know best.
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We have done this festival for years and he knows whats coming but that's the thing I don't always trust his judgement. You should see the crazy, money sucking women he dates. :-) But seriously I'm just trying to look out for his well being. I suppose I should give him more credit. He was my best man afterall.
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I had a bad case about 20 years ago. The first week is the worst, and I personally would not have been up to it - coughing and hacking every couple minutes.

But everybody is different.

I expect he should be up to it in about that amount of time.
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I had a bad case of it when I first got down here - best piece of advice is to have him confirm with the doc. Probably be ok as long as there is ready transport back home if he starts to feel bad and to take it easy on the festivities...
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Had it several times, including double pnuemonia a couple times, Hospitalized once, but usually continued to work through it and just got strong antibiotics.

About 10 years ago I got the pnuemonia vaccine, and while I get bronchitis a couple times every year, I haven't had pnuemonia again since. The vaccine issaid to be good for 10 years, so I am due to re-up.
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With my onetime bout of pneumonia the admissions people at the hospital must've seen that at the time I had phenominal health insurance, because they stuck me in the cardiac unit, claiming to be out of regular rooms. I was out of the hospital in like two days but boy did they pile up...guess I should say pad.. the expenses.

Anyhow they switched me to oral antibiotics after the two days of I.V. and all was fine by a couple days later. Hit the stogies again--gradually--right after the pills ran out. No flareups or recurrence in the intervening four or five years.
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This was probably covered I am not reading the whole thread.

He needs to take it seriously it can kill him if not treated, I get it at least twice a year give or take if I catch it in time it's a week or two of suckyness and anti biotics if not it can be a living hell. I have lost 22 LBS in a two week recovery.

Hope this helps the good shape is a big plus as I am not.
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I don't blame you. Reading thru seven posts is quite the challenge. :-)
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I had it 16 years ago. Honestly, I don't remember my breathing being the worst part, although I do seem to get respiratory infections easier since I had it. The worst part for me was the fever, dizziness, fatigue, etc.

He probably knows his body, but I couldn't imagine going camping at that point. Even when he's feeling better his lungs probably aren't healthy yet. I know my doc wanted me to avoid physical activity for a month or 6 weeks.
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Yep - same for me.

I felt better overall after a week - but noticed diminished lung capacity for about 4 weeks after (I was still singing at that point - could REALLY tell)
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Thanks for sharing the experiences everyone! I saw him today and he seems capable of handling the weekend. He knows he has to take it slow. The cooler temps will definitely help him out. It should be a fun weekend.

He said he lost 15lbs in one week! He just couldn't eat and his fever was just that high.
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I had it, actually what they termed atypical pneumonia, Legionairres disease, back in December of 2011. I went about 13 days being misdiagnosed and was getting sicker by the day, wound up in the hospital for four days. After they got me on the right intravenous antibiotic it didn't take long to get better. I do have to say I have always enjoyed good health, but in my 47 years that's the sickest I have ever been. In my case is took me a couple weeks to get back to normal though.
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He's a grown man, let him make the decision.
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Yeah, screw you for caring about your friend, shibby.

:-)
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I care about my friends but at the age of 34, he should be able to make his own responsible decision.

Nobody knows his body better than him.:-)
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Shopuld be and can are often miles apart, I know 60 year olds who can't make a responsible decision. :-)

But then again, I love Bob.
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Most people do.
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:-):-)
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