Pneumonia Prevention Tips

Pneumonia is a common but serious ailment. Our knowledgeable caregivers can help reduce seniors’ chances of coming down with it by encouraging prevention techniques. These include:

Avoiding smoking
Asking their doctor about getting the flu shot every fall
Asking their doctor about the pneumonia vaccine
Eating a proper diet
Getting enough exercise and sleep

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a general term that refers to an infection of the lungs. It can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Like the flu, pneumonia can cause serious problems for elderly people.

The possible consequences of pneumonia include:

Fluid around the lungs
Pus in the pleural cavity (an area between the lungs and chest)
Low blood sodium
Abscess in the lungs
Death

What Are the Risk Factors?

The following things can put you at an increased risk for developing pneumonia:

Being male
Being older
Smoking and breathing secondhand smoke
Having certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung problems, diabetes, or dementia
Taking prednisone (a medication)
Abusing alcohol or drugs
Being around certain environmental factors

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of pneumonia include:

Fever
Chills
Cough
Rapid or labored breathing
Vomiting
Chest pain
Sore throat

What’s the Treatment?

If you get pneumonia, your doctor may advise:

Antibiotics
Bed rest
Plenty of fluids
Therapeutic coughing
Breathing exercises
Medication to reduce pain and fever

Where Can I Get More Information About the Role of In-Home Caregivers?

To learn more about our knowledgeable, reliable, compassionate in-home caregivers and how we can help seniors reduce their risk of getting pneumonia, please contact us today.