Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms. It is a very serious illness that has to be treated straight away no matter how old you are, but especially if you are older. The complications of pneumonia in the elderly can be life threatening, so not only do we have to seek professional help if we experience any of its symptoms, but we should also prevent it.

Symptoms of pneumonia in the elderly may differ from that of children or younger adults. Some symptoms include coughing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, sharp pain upon taking deep breaths or coughing, headache, excessively sweating, confusion or lethargy.

Pneumonia occurs when a person’s immune system is weakened. There are some ways of preventing this disease. We can get a pneumococcal vaccine, which helps prevent different strains of bacterial pneumonia. It doesn’t always engender a good immune response, so ask your doctor for information in order to decide if it is a good idea to get it. Influenza vaccine can be very effective too, as pneumonia is often caused by flu, so people who receive this vaccine have less risk of developing pneumonia. Following good hygiene habits can also be helpful: we should wash our hands as much as we can and keep your mouth healthy as pneumonia infections can occur around infected teeth. And of course, exercising, resting, not smoking, not drinking, and healthy eating can increase resistance to pneumonia and many other diseases.