Simple Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
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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Common signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- A cough that may produce yellow or bloody mucus
- Chest pain
- Body aches and pain
- Fast breathing
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a fever.
- Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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.
Treatment
will depend on the cause of your condition. SEP may go away on its own within a few weeks. You may be given steroid medicine to decrease lung inflammation. You may need medicine to treat an infection caused by parasites. You may need to stop taking any medicine that could have caused your pneumonia.
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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