Pneumonia Serious Health Risk
Shelia Lewis
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following information was researched by Andrew Crocker, Extension program specialist for gerontology health.
Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die from pneumonia - an inflammation of the lungs that is usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults, people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people.
There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria usually come on quickly, including but not limited to:
Cough, sometimes producing rusty, green or blood-tinged mucus
Fever
Fast breathing, heart rate and/or shortness of breath
Shaking and chills
Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in
Feeling very tired and/or weak
Nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea
Symptoms caused by viruses are usually the same as those caused by bacteria; but, they may come on slowly and often are not as obvious or as bad. Ironically, high-risk groups such as older adults may have fewer or milder symptoms than less vulnerable people do. And instead of the high fever that often characterizes pneumonia, older adults may even have a lower than normal temperature. Or they may have a cough but not bring up mucus. The main sign of pneumonia in older adults may be a change in how well they think. Confusion is common.
If you think you may have pneumonia, do not hesitate to get medical care. See your health provider right away if you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain that fluctuates with your breathing, an unexplained fever or if you suddenly feel worse after a cold or the flu.
Your health provider will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she may order a chest X-ray and blood tests. This is usually enough for him to know if you have pneumonia. You may need more tests if you have bad symptoms, are an older adult or have other health problems. Your health provider may also test mucus from your lungs to find out what germ is causing your pneumonia.
Your health provider may give you antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. These are almost always effective against bacteria. Do not stop taking them because you feel better. Take them exactly as prescribed. Call your health provider if you do not start to feel better after two to three days of antibiotics or if you feel worse.
Antibiotics are usually not effective against viral forms of pneumonia. Although a few viral pneumonias may be treated with antiviral medications, the recommended treatment is generally the same as for the flu-rest and plenty of fluids. If you have severe pneumonia, you may be hospitalized. Sometimes you may spend three or four days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics and then continue to recover at home with oral medication.
STAYING HEALTHY
You usually do not "catch" pneumonia from someone else. Instead, you develop the disease because your immune system is temporarily weakened. The following suggestions can help keep you healthy:
Get vaccinated. Because pneumonia can be a complication of the flu, getting a yearly flu shot is a good way to prevent viral influenza pneumonia, which can lead to bacterial pneumonia. In addition, get a vaccination against pneumonia at least once after age 55. Medicare may pay for this if you are a Medicare beneficiary with Part "B" coverage.
Wash your hands. Your hands are in almost constant contact with germs that can cause pneumonia. Washing your hands thoroughly and often can help reduce your risk.
Don't smoke. Smoking damages your lungs' natural defenses against respiratory infections.
Take care of yourself. Plenty of rest and a healthy diet along with moderate exercise can help keep your immune system strong.
Protect others from infection. If you have pneumonia, try to stay away from anyone with a compromised immune system.
If you have pneumonia, the following measures can help you recover more quickly and decrease your risk of complications:
Get plenty of rest.
Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Liquids keep you from becoming dehydrated and help loosen mucus in your lungs.
Take the entire course of any prescribed medications. Stopping medication too soon can cause your pneumonia to come back and contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Keep all of your follow-up appointments. Even though you feel better, your lungs may still be infected.
Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu. This column on family and consumer education news appears in the Thursday Community section of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
Every year, more than 60,000 Americans die from pneumonia - an inflammation of the lungs that is usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults, people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, but it can also strike young, healthy people.
There are many kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Infection often follows a cold or the flu, but it can also be associated with other illnesses or occur on its own.
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria usually come on quickly, including but not limited to:
Symptoms caused by viruses are usually the same as those caused by bacteria; but, they may come on slowly and often are not as obvious or as bad. Ironically, high-risk groups such as older adults may have fewer or milder symptoms than less vulnerable people do. And instead of the high fever that often characterizes pneumonia, older adults may even have a lower than normal temperature. Or they may have a cough but not bring up mucus. The main sign of pneumonia in older adults may be a change in how well they think. Confusion is common.
If you think you may have pneumonia, do not hesitate to get medical care. See your health provider right away if you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain that fluctuates with your breathing, an unexplained fever or if you suddenly feel worse after a cold or the flu.
Your health provider will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. He or she may order a chest X-ray and blood tests. This is usually enough for him to know if you have pneumonia. You may need more tests if you have bad symptoms, are an older adult or have other health problems. Your health provider may also test mucus from your lungs to find out what germ is causing your pneumonia.
Your health provider may give you antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. These are almost always effective against bacteria. Do not stop taking them because you feel better. Take them exactly as prescribed. Call your health provider if you do not start to feel better after two to three days of antibiotics or if you feel worse.
Antibiotics are usually not effective against viral forms of pneumonia. Although a few viral pneumonias may be treated with antiviral medications, the recommended treatment is generally the same as for the flu-rest and plenty of fluids. If you have severe pneumonia, you may be hospitalized. Sometimes you may spend three or four days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics and then continue to recover at home with oral medication.
STAYING HEALTHY
You usually do not "catch" pneumonia from someone else. Instead, you develop the disease because your immune system is temporarily weakened. The following suggestions can help keep you healthy:
Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu. This column on family and consumer education news appears in the Thursday Community section of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
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