As the search for a vaccine for the coronavirus continue, it is important that older adults take extra care to protect their overall health. This is that time of the year that sees a rise in the number of cases of pneumonia. This illness affects seniors in a radically different way than it does people in other age groups. For older adults in the USA, hospitalization for pneumonia has a greater risk of death compared to any of the other top 10 reasons for hospitalization.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that kills more than 50,000 Americans a year, the majority of whom are 65 or older.It is a respiratory infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs in the lungs (which may fill with fluid), which are responsible for moving oxygen from the lungs to the blood, resulting in breathing problems along with fever, chills, and other symptoms, and lowers the level of oxygen in the blood. The illness can affect one or more lungs. How severe pneumonia is depends on age, overall health, and what caused the infection.

A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, cause pneumonia, which can be spread through the air, or by contact with a person who is infected or with items that person has touched. The severity of the infection can range from mild to life-threatening,with viral pneumonia usually being less severe than bacterial pneumonia.Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common form of pneumonia in comparison to what’s called hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Older people have a higher risk of getting the illness and are more likely to die from it if they do, as the infection tends to fall on the severe end of the spectrum in seniors.

Pneumonia symptoms in adults 65 and over:

Symptoms vary from senior to senior, but may include

1.High fever and chills

2.A lower-than-normal body temperature

3.Weakness and fatigue

4.Pain the chest or ribs (when breathing or coughing)

5.Shortness of breath

6.A productive cough with phlegm

7.Confusion or disorientation

People often confuse these symptoms of pneumonia in seniors with those of a cold or the flu, or with the effects of aging, but they shouldn’t be ignored. If you suspect your older adult has pneumonia, report potential symptoms to a doctor right away.

If you aren’t sure what pneumonia is or you are curious about why it’s more common in seniors, take the time to learn more about few of the most common reasons older adults are at the receiving end of this illness:

An exposure to germs, most often bacteria or a virus, is what causes pneumonia in someone. While anyone can come into contact with these organisms, seniors are more likely to have serious potential consequences for many reasons, including

1.Weakened immune system (our immune system has a harder time fighting off an infection as we age, making older adults more susceptible to infections and illness)

2.Preexisting conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes

3.Comorbidity (seniors are more prone to the flu and other lung-related conditions, which sometimes develop into pneumonia)

4.Seniors are less likely to be able to produce a strong cough, thus making it difficult for the body to expel things that can harm it, such as the germs that cause pneumonia.

5.Smoking (tobacco can damage the lungs making it more difficult for the body to fight infection)

Treatment for pneumonia in older adults:

Typically, a physician will order blood tests, as well as a CT scan or chest X-rayto determine if a senior has the illness. Bacterial pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, while an anti-viral medicine may be prescribed if the infection is viral. Aside from medicines, doctors may give the patient fluids, oxygen, pain relief and medical support.

No matter the disease is viral or bacterial, pneumonia is treated with rest, nutritious food, and lots of fluids, as well as medication to treat symptoms like a fever or pain.

Preventing pneumonia in seniors:

To protect yourself and your senior loved one from the disease

1.get a pneumococcal vaccine,

2.avoid exposure to germs,

3.practice healthy hygiene, and

4.strengthen your immune system with regular exercise, a well-balanced diet, and a good night’s sleep.

Whether seniors are recovering from pneumonia or looking to protect themselves, best home care in Charlotte, NC professionals can help, who’ll not only remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, but support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets as well.

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