Question

Present a brief discussion of bacterial pneumonia in an older patient

Answer 1

Bacterial pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs due to bacterial infection.Pneumonia in the older peoples happens very fast and the prognosis is poor, and elderly are more susceptible to severe Pneumonia. The mortality rate for severe pneumonia is high

Causes of bacterial pneumonia in older patient

• Heart disease,
• diabetes
• Seniors or very increased age
• flu and other lung-related conditions
• Undernourished
• Lower immunity

Treatment

• rest
• nutritious food
• Take lots of fluids,
• medication to treat bothersome symptoms like a fever or pain
• anti bacterial medications.
• Control of diabetic mellitus by diet and insulin
• Manage hypertension by sodium restrictions and anti hypertension

Recovery

• Expect a recovery time as long as six to eight weeks due to the weakened state of the elderly with the illness
• People tend to lose lung capacity as they age, which makes it harder for them to cough productively so deep breathing excercises should be provide in recovery stage
• Take preventive measures against transmission of respiratory diseases from others

Warning sign of pneumonia in older people

• abnormal body temperature
• fever and chills or
• weak immune systems.
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• cough
• chest pain when breathe.
• Tiredness or fatigue.
• Prolonged recovery