Symptoms

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough.
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
• Cough, which may produce phlegm.
• Fatigue.
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
• Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

More items•Jun 13, 2020

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia in the Elderly?

• Confusion – In elderly people, pneumonia can cause confusion or disorientation.
• A Productive Cough – Typically, moist and wet sounding coughs that produce phlegm. You may also hear audible wheezing as the person inhales and exhales.
• Fever – There are various types of pneumonia and some may only produce a low-grade fever in the 99°F – 100°F range while others may produce fevers above 101°F.

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How can you tell if an older person has pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms will vary from one senior to the next, but may include: Weakness and fatigue. Pain in the chest or ribs. Fever and chills. A lower-than-normal body temperature. Cough, especially a wet one that produces phlegm. Shortness of breath. Confusion or disorientation.

What are the warning signs of pneumonia?

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Cough , which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus. Fever , sweating and shaking chills. Shortness of breath. Rapid, shallow breathing. Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough . Loss of appetite , low energy, and fatigue .

What are the 4 stages of pneumonia?

There are four stages of pneumonia , which are consolidation, red hepatization, grey hepatization and resolution.

Can an elderly person have pneumonia without a fever?

The symptoms of pneumonia in older individuals can differ from those in other age groups. Older adults with pneumonia may be more likely to: feel weak or unsteady, which can increase the risk of falling. be without a fever or have a body temperature that’s lower than normal.

What is the survival rate for pneumonia in the elderly?

Pneumonia in the elderly happens fast and the prognosis is poor, and elderly are susceptible to severe Pneumonia . The mortality rate for severe pneumonia is as high as 20% [4]. The principal cause of the death is respiratory insufficiency [5].

Can a cold turn into pneumonia in the elderly?

Contagious illness is a common cause of pneumonia in seniors , and the flu isn’t the only one that’s of concern. Even a common cold can cause pneumonia in a vulnerable senior. Essentially, any underlying issue that affects the lungs can bring about an infection that causes inflammation or fluid buildup in the lungs.

Can I have pneumonia without a fever?

Is it possible to have pneumonia without having a fever ? It’s not the norm but, yes, it’s possible to have pneumonia with a low fever or even no fever . If this occurs, it’s usually in the very young (newborns and infants) and in older adults or adults with a weakened immune system.

Can a cold turn into pneumonia?

We often hear that a cold or flu turned into pneumonia . That’s not accurate. However, pneumonia can develop as a secondary bacterial infection after the flu or a cold . Pneumonia , ear infections, and bronchitis can all result from flu or cold .

What Antibiotics treat pneumonia?

How is walking pneumonia treated? Macrolide antibiotics : Macrolide drugs are the preferred treatment for children and adults. Fluoroquinolones : These drugs include ciprofloxacin ( Cipro ®) and levofloxacin ( Levaquin® ). Tetracyclines : This group includes doxycycline and tetracycline .

What are the final stages of pneumonia?

The most common physical symptoms in the final stages are: feeling more severely out of breath. reducing lung function making breathing harder. having frequent flare-ups. finding it difficult to maintain a healthy body weight. feeling more anxious and depressed.

Can a 90 year old recover from pneumonia?

When you are caring for a senior with pneumonia , you can expect a recovery time as long as six to eight weeks. This increased recovery time is due to the weakened state of the elderly with the illness and their body’s inability to fight off the bacteria that pneumonia produces in their lungs.

Do I have walking pneumonia or a cold?

When you have cold -like symptoms — headache, runny nose, cough and a sore throat — you likely slow down a bit, thinking you can beat it in a few days. But when the symptoms linger or worsen — not enough to knock you off your feet, but enough so that you can ‘t ignore them — you may have walking pneumonia .

What is the home remedy for pneumonia in the elderly?

How to Treat Pneumonia in Seniors Rest. Your body is able to fight off germs when you get adequate sleep. Hydration. Keeping your body well hydrated can prevent the build-up of mucus in the lungs. Follow doctor’s orders. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria.