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Pneumonia

by Alexandra Middleton | 20 May 2013

As the woolly winter months roll around, inevitably the influenza season comes with them. While anyone can be affected by the flu or pneumonia, older people are increasingly susceptible to the illness.

 

What is pneumonia and what causes it? 

Pneumonia is a type of lung infection, caused by a virus or bacteria.

While there are various different types of pneumonia, the most common is pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pneumonia can be contracted at any time of the year, but lowered immunity increases the risk of infection. “If you’re struck down with a seasonal cold or the flu you’re more prone to picking up the illness. Smokers are also more prone to infection,” says GP Dr Jane de Ferranti.

Likewise, those in the over 55s bracket are more susceptible to pneumonia. Dr de Ferranti says this is mainly due to their age, other contributing medical issues and the fact that they may have a weaker immune system.

Another common form of pneumonia prevalent in the elderly is aspiration pneumonia, which is caused by foreign matter, usually food, being breathed into the lungs.

“In this scenario an elderly patient could be healthy in the morning, swallow something at breakfast and by the afternoon be considerably ill,” GP Dr Tony O’Halloran says.

Dr O’Halloran explains that the symptoms of a standard pneumonia can be quite sudden, evolving from mild symptoms to a patient becoming quite unwell in a day or two.

As well as being aggressive in its onset, Dr O’Halloran adds that the illness can be a stand-alone condition and is not always linked to a secondary illness, such as a bad flu.

What are the symptoms?

Pneumonia symptoms come in varying degrees depending on the age of the person and other contributing health factors. The Australian Lung Foundation lists common symptoms as:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Fever
  • General malaise
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Blue colouration of the skin around the mouth, due to lack of oxygen

As a rule of thumb, if you’re recording a temperature higher than 38 degrees you should seek medical attention.

According to Dr de Ferranti, it is particularly important for anyone over 55 to recognise and address symptoms such as high fever, a cough or sharp chest pain early, as their ability to fight off the disease may not be as good. 

The ALF addressed the seriousness of the condition in its Pneumonia Awareness Week, highlighting the need for people with certain chronic illnesses and older Australians to seek further information from their doctor.

With pneumonia ranked among the top 10 contributing causes of death in Australia, findings from an ALF study indicating that only one-in-eight adults at risk of contracting a potentially life-threatening infection recognise they are at high risk, are of great concern.

Prevention

For over 65s and those prone to chest infections and considered at risk, the government offers a free vaccine to help prevent Pneumococcal Pneumonia.

Product information from the Department of Health & Ageing Therapeutic Goods Administration states that Pneumovax 23 works by causing your body to produce its own protection against pneumococcal infection. It does this by making disease-fighting substances called antibodies to fight the bacteria. 

Along with the vaccine and for those under the age of 65, Dr O’Halloran says the key is to live a healthy lifestyle and look after yourself, which includes not smoking or drinking excessively.   

Diagnosing and treating pneumonia

If you present to a doctor with fever and cough, raising the suspicion of pneumonia, one of the first things that a doctor will do, after taking a history, is listen to your chest.

The doctor will be listening for diagnostic signs of pneumonia, such as crackles and decreased breath sounds.

If the doctor suspects pneumonia, you may be sent for a chest X-ray and prescribed antibiotics. Sometimes cultures are needed to identify the exact organism responsible for the infection. 

In severe cases, or if the patient is considered at high risk due to conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer, the doctor may admit the patient to hospital. 



All medical information provided by Dr de Ferranti and Dr O’Halloran was provided on a general basis. It is important to remember that every patient’s circumstances differ. If you are concerned about your health, seek help from a medical practitioner.