Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung, and can be serious in some cases. To be specific, pneumonia is an inflammation of the alveoli, which are small microscopic air sacs in the lungs visible only under a microscope. Pneumonia is also a condition when the lungs fill with fluid known as consolidation and exudation. Pneumonia may be caused by many factors, some of the common causes are bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Viral pneumonia is usually not very serious and you can take some simple measures to recover from it. However, viral pneumonia can be serious in older adults and kids as they have weak immune systems. People affected with immunodeficiency viruses like HIV are also at risk if affected by viral pneumonia. A physician may use diagnostic tests like an x-ray to confirm viral pneumonia. Laboratory tests of a sputum sample is also one of the diagnostic tools that can be used to confirm pneumonia. The main reason behind the importance of home care is that antibiotics aren't that effective when it comes to the treatment of viral pneumonia. Antibiotics are useful if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria. Understanding the causes and symptoms of pneumonia will prove helpful in treating viral pneumonia. Causes There are several viruses that may cause pneumonia and one of the common ones is the influenza virus. Some of the other viruses that may cause pneumonia are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the herpes or varicella viruses. Other viruses that cause common cold like parainfluenza and adenoviruses can also cause pneumonia. Symptoms Some of the common symptoms of pneumonia are persistent low-grade fever and headaches. Coughing and excretion of small amounts of mucus is also associated with pneumonia. People affected with this condition will also experience fatigue and muscle pain throughout the body. Loss of appetite and pain in the chest region are also some of the symptoms associated with this condition. These symptoms can persist for several days and as they are mild it may take time for you to notice them as serious enough to consult a physician. Treatment There are limited treatment options for viral pneumonia, one is to treat the symptoms like headache and fever, the other is to take self-care. If it is detected within 48 hours then your physician may prescribe some medicines, however, early detection is not common. Treatment at home mainly constitutes taking ample rest. This will help the body's natural immune system to fight off the infection. It is also advisable to drink plenty of fluids and to keep yourself hydrated. This will help the body wash out the toxins and help you recover faster. You can use over the counter medication for symptoms like headaches and fever. If you have a child infected with pneumonia then do not give him aspirin. Cough medication should also be taken only after consultation with your physician. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like, ibuprofen or naproxencan be used to alleviate the discomfort associated with this condition. Viral pneumonia if detected early, for example within 48 hours is easier to treat with medication than in cases where it's discovered later than 48 hours. Anti-flu medicine may be prescribed by physicians if they suspect that the pneumonia is caused by influenza A or influenza B virus. Some of the options include rimantadine (Flumadine), and oseltamivir popularly known as (Tamiflu). There are no clearly defined treatment options for viral pneumonia caused by the SARS coronavirus, adenovirus, and parainfluenza virus. If you suspect that you may have pneumonia it is advisable to consult your physician immediately as early detection will help in the treatment process. Take plenty of rest and avoid doing any physical activity like exercise, also stay away from public places to prevent the spread of the virus.