Simple Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Simple eosinophilic pneumonia (SEP) is caused by lung inflammation. Eosinophils are white blood cells that help your body fight disease such as a parasite infection. The eosinophils collect in your lungs and irritate your lung tissues. This makes your lungs inflamed and swollen. SEP is also called Loffler syndrome or pulmonary eosinophilia.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- You have shortness of breath, or you are breathing faster than normal.
- You have chest tightness or pain.
- Your symptoms get worse.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Steroids may be given to decrease lung inflammation.
- Antiparasitics may be given to help kill parasites if they caused your pneumonia.
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen decrease fever and pain.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Manage SEP:
- Rest as needed. Rest often while you recover. Slowly start to do more each day.
- Deep breathe and cough. Deep breathing helps open the air passages in your lungs. Coughing helps bring up mucus from your lungs. Take a deep breath and hold the breath as long as you can. Then push the air out of your lungs with a deep, strong cough. Take 10 deep breaths in a row every hour that you are awake. Remember to follow each deep breath with a cough.
- Do not smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking increases your risk for pneumonia. Smoking also makes it harder for you to get better after you have had pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.
- Avoid things that irritate your lungs. Air pollution and smoke from fireplaces may also make it harder for you to breathe.
- Drink liquids as directed. Liquids help thin your mucus, which may make it easier for you to cough it up. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. Limit caffeine and alcohol. These liquids can make mucus sticky and harder to cough up.
- Use a cool mist humidifier. A humidifier will help increase air moisture in your home. This may make it easier for you to breathe and help decrease your cough.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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