Learn the symptoms of pneumonia in the elderly

Pneumonia is an infection in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become inflamed, which can lead to symptoms like cough and shortness of breath. Pneumonia can be dangerous for some groups, including the elderly, according to a report from the website. health line.

There are several reasons why pneumonia is more severe in the elderly. The immune system naturally weakens as we age. Older adults are more likely to suffer from chronic health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart disease, which can worsen the risk of developing pneumonia.

Pneumonia symptoms in the elderly

Symptoms of pneumonia may differ in older individuals from those in other age groups.

Feeling of weakness or unsteadiness, which can increase the risk of falls, be without fever or have a lower body temperature than usual, confusion or delirium, changes in functional status, which is the ability to perform daily activities, experience incontinence , lack of appetite, Current deterioration of health conditions

Because symptoms in the elderly are often more subtle and may differ from the symptoms of classical pneumonia, it can be difficult to recognize pneumonia in this category and this can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment..

The classic symptoms of pneumonia

Although older adults often experience different symptoms of pneumonia, they may also experience some of the more classic symptoms of pneumonia. These can include:

Cough which can cause phlegm, fever and chills, chest pain that gets worse when breathing deeply or coughing, fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid breathing.