Pope Francis has spent a month in hospital, struggling with bilateral pneumonia – but what exactly is this infection? 

 

What is pneumonia?  
It’s a serious infection of the lungs.  
Bacteria and virus (or even a fungus) lodge themselves down in the lungs and cause an infection.  
It’s often at the base of one or both lungs.  
The body reacts to the bacteria or virus, causing a reaction to get rid of the infection, resulting in inflamed lung tissue with fluid or pus.  

   

What are the causes and how do we know we have pneumonia?  
There are two basic types: community acquired, and hospital acquired (hospitals are dangerous places for infections!). 
Risk factors: a weakened immune system, which could be a result of age, a chronic illness like diabetes, asthma, some medications, smoking, or admittance to a hospital.  
Viruses such as influenza, Covid, and RSV can cause pneumonia, which is why they are dangerous.  
Main symptoms (can be sudden onset): cough, bringing up phlegm, fever/chills, chest pain, feeling short of breath. 

   

How do we treat pneumonia?  
It depends on the type.  
It’s often community acquired and is diagnosed on exam with a chest Xray.  
Treatment includes antibiotics, fluids, rest, paracetamol. If it’s severe and you have difficulty breathing – go to the hospital.  
If it’s caused by a virus (influenza or Covid), it’s occasionally treated with an anti-viral medication, however, often paracetamol, fluids, rest are used. Some can end up in hospital with oxygen, or if severe, a ventilator till it gets better.  

   

How do we prevent pneumonia?  
This is a reason why vaccination so important, preventing things like influenza, Covid, pneumococcal.  
Quit smoking. 
A healthy immune system: eat a balanced diet, regular exercise, mange diabetes, or asthma.  

 

If you’re short of breath with a temperature, see your doctor! 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Pope Francis has spent a month in hospital, struggling with bilateral pneumonia – but what exactly is this infection?&nbsp;
&nbsp;
What is pneumonia? &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>It’s a serious infection of the lungs. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Bacteria and virus (or even a fungus) lodge themselves down in the lungs and cause an infection. &nbsp;</li>
<li>It’s often at the base of one or both lungs. &nbsp;</li>
<li>The body reacts to the bacteria or virus, causing a reaction to get rid of the infection, resulting in inflamed lung tissue with fluid or pus. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp;
What are the causes and how do we know we have pneumonia? &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>There are two basic types: community acquired, and hospital acquired (hospitals are dangerous places for infections!).&nbsp;</li>
<li>Risk factors: a weakened immune system, which could be a result of age, a chronic illness like diabetes, asthma, some medications, smoking, or admittance to a hospital. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Viruses such as influenza, Covid, and RSV can cause pneumonia, which is why they are dangerous. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Main symptoms (can be sudden onset): cough, bringing up phlegm, fever/chills, chest pain, feeling short of breath.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp;
How do we treat pneumonia? &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>It depends on the type. &nbsp;</li>
<li>It’s often community acquired and is diagnosed on exam with a chest Xray. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Treatment includes antibiotics, fluids, rest, paracetamol. If it’s severe and you have difficulty breathing – go to the hospital. &nbsp;</li>
<li>If it’s caused by a virus (influenza or Covid), it’s occasionally treated with an anti-viral medication, however, often paracetamol, fluids, rest are used. Some can end up in hospital with oxygen, or if severe, a ventilator till it gets better. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; &nbsp;
How do we prevent pneumonia? &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>This is a reason why vaccination so important, preventing things like influenza, Covid, pneumococcal. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Quit smoking.&nbsp;</li>
<li>A healthy immune system: eat a balanced diet, regular exercise, mange diabetes, or asthma. &nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
If you’re short of breath with a temperature, see your doctor!&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.

News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB. News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Bryan Betty: Pneumonia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/349b28a9-ffbb-442c-888e-b2a001795f18/transcript