Lower Respiratory Infections - Pneumonia

Summary

Pneumonia is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. As a result of their weakened immune systems, this also unfortunately includes elderly residents of nursing homes. This article discusses the severity of pneumonia and the statistics including the death toll to people in the United States in general, including those 65 and older. It also discusses what can be done in a nursing home or assisted living care center to diagnose, treat and also prevent all forms of pneumonia.

Lower Respiratory Infections - Pneumonia

A study conducted in 2001 by the Center for Disease Control revealed that 61,777 people died from pneumonia each year in the United States. Pneumonia is a serious Lower Respiratory infection that cannot go untreated due to the extremely high risk of fatality. Unfortunately, many elderly residents of nursing homes or assisted living centers continue to suffer from this type of infection. Due to the elderly individual's weak immune system and its inability to often fight off these types of diseases, they are more susceptible to fatality than others with the infection. As a result of neglect in a nursing home or assisted living center, many elderly residents suffering from any type of pneumonia unfortunately lose their life. Your loved ones should not have to suffer from this infection as a result of negligence from nursing home or assisted living staff. By learning the causes and symptoms of the different types of pneumonia, your loved one will not be put at risk to suffer from this serious infection.

Types of Pneumonia

Viral Pneumonia – Brought on by strains of the influenza virus
Bacterial Pneumonia – Caused by the entrance of certain bacteria into the bronchioles.
Fungal Pneumonia – Caused by the entrance of fungi into the bronchioles.
Chemical Pneumonia – Caused by inhaling fumes or certain chemicals
Pneumococcal Pneumonia – Caused by bacteria that is also known to cause middle ear infections
Aspiration Pneumonia – Caused by the entrance of foreign materials (including food, saliva, or nasal secretions) into the bronchioles.

Although it is the least serious of the types of Pneumonia, Viral Pneumonia is the cause of 3.2% of fatalities among people 65 and older. Since it begins as a result of a strain of the influenza virus, which is easily treatable, people do not realize the seriousness if it goes untreated or if it is not treated thoroughly enough. As a result, the elderly are often left neglected by nursing home staff because most do not take the seriousness of this infection into account.

Preventing Pneumonia in Nursing Homes:

Pneumococcal vaccine: Pneumococcal vaccine can help to prevent several different strains of bacterial pneumonia; however, the vaccine is effective for a shorter amount of time in older people than in younger people. Experts recommend getting your first dose when you are in your 50s and your second dose at age 65, and then a new dose should be administered every five years.
Influenza vaccine: The flu vaccine is just as important as the pneumococcal vaccine. If an elderly vaccinated person gets the flu, it is usually a milder case. Pneumonia is often a secondary infection after contracting the flu virus.
Wash hands: It is highly recommended to wash your hands as much as you possibly can any time you come in contact with foreign materials that may cause some sort of illness.
Dental hygiene: It is possible to contract pneumonia as a result of infected teeth.
Good health habits: Getting enough exercise, enough rest and having a well-balanced diet can all aid in preventing any form of pneumonia.

Contact an Arizona Nursing Home Advocate Attorney

If a nursing home in the Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa or elsewhere in Maricopa County, has contributed to nursing home acquired pneumonia or any other respiratory infection in a loved one due to negligence of proper diagnoses, they should be held responsible. An Arizona Attorney can help collect compensation. For more information about legal responsibilities in nursing homes see www.nursinghomeadvocates.com.