Diane Keaton’s death on Saturday served as a reminder of the risks of pneumonia.
The iconic actress, director and producer has died at the age of 79. respiratory infections In California.
Keaton’s family confirmed her cause of death. To People Magazine on wednesday. Fox News Digital has reached out to her representatives for comment.
Lung disease lingering 5 years after COVID-19: Here’s what you need to know
Pneumonia is defined by the Cleveland Clinic as an infection of the lungs caused by bacteriaviruses and fungi.
This can cause lung tissue to swell and fluid and pus to build up within the lungs.
Dr. Mark Siegel, a professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Health and a senior medical analyst for Fox News, previously said that the risk of pneumonia depends on the underlying medical condition. health condition The patient and the strength of his or her immune system.
Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, bacterial pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
It can be caused by pneumococcal infection, also called pneumococcal disease.
According to the above sources, other bacteria that can cause respiratory illnesses include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella (Legionellosis).
“Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of pneumonia and can be fatal,” Siegel said. “Invasive pneumococcal disease can have a mortality rate of up to 20% in adults.”
The risk of bacterial pneumonia increases with age and chronic illness, the doctor added.
Viral pneumonia can be caused by a virus, such as the flu, cold, or virus. COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) There’s also respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to the Cleveland Clinic.
This type of pneumonia usually resolves on its own.
Although less common, some fungi (moulds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia.
“The biggest concern is that it can spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening,” Professor Siegel warned.
Test yourself with our latest lifestyle quiz
Atypical pneumonia is caused by mycoplasma, legionella, a type of chlamydia (which is not sexually transmitted), and whooping cough, the doctor added.
Siegel said early diagnosis and treatment are key to recovery, especially in at-risk patients.
High-risk groups include the very young, the very old, the immunocompromised, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and person who smokes.
For more health stories, click here
For people age 50 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends: pneumococcal vaccine.
“The effective version, known as Prevnar, is effective against 20 different strains,” Siegel added.
