R.The eyes of the Catholic scientist focus on the Agustino Gemili Hospital in Rome, where Pope Francis remains in the hospital for a number of health problems.
Here is what to know about the health status of the Pope – and what experts believe says about the risks of respiratory infections in the elderly.
A large number of health developments
It was the Pope It was accepted on February 14 for bronchitisViral infection that causes bronchitis in the lung, which makes it difficult to breathe. While there, he is Additional infections developed This requires that he remain under the care of doctors, and after that Advanced pneumonia in each of the lungsAccording to the Vatican.
During the weekend on February 22, it was the Pope “Aristotelian breathing crisis” Which requested oxygen. He also has Blood transfusion The Vatican said that after he was diagnosed with low platelets, which helps the blood to stroke.
A mixture of health issues Prevent the Pope from performing his general dutiesIncluding the weekly prayers on Sunday, but its doctors recently made He said He is on alert, removing and continuing to work Read the messages From the well around the world.
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On February 23, I mentioned the Vatican The Pope’s blood tests show signs of moderate kidney failure, but the condition was “under control.” On February 24, the test was revealed Slight improvement.
“The path we see with the Pope is not uncommon: as it has a good day, then develops a secondary infection and a setback.” Hopkins. “If the Pope can teach us anything, then this realizes how much older adults are weak.”
The risk of respiratory infections in the elderly
Respiratory infections are particularly dangerous for the elderly, who are not strong and capable of fighting viruses and bacteria. They respond to the vaccines for common infections such as influenza also weaker as a result. As people advance, the lungs become more solid and the muscles responsible for breathing become weaker, making breathing more difficult. “This decline is important because it steals them from the physiological reserves for the apostasy if they get an infection,” says Galepisus. “You complete this with the low strength of the immune system, which is the ideal storm of weakness in the elderly. Viruses that most of us can really get rid of.”
The Pope may be particularly vulnerable to respiratory attacks; When he was a young man, he had a severe seizure of pneumonia Part of one of his lungs is required to removeWhich leaves it with the smaller respiratory reserves.
The elderly also tends to have other health problems, including heart problems, diabetes, and – such as the Pope – stored in the kidneys that can make infection worse. “Respiratory infections not only treat the lungs. Galliatsus says:“ The response to them is a complete relationship for the body. ”If the whole body is struggling with heart disease, diabetes, etc., the response from the body is not strong.” Many elderly people They are not physically active and are often exposed to malnutrition because their appetite diminishes, which endangers their health when facing infections.
Double infections can be advanced quickly
While the youngest can get out of respiratory infections after their illness for a few days, the older immune systems can make them more vulnerable to capturing viruses or other bacteria, as happened with the Pope. If the upper airway infections are still vulnerable to vulnerable immune responses to fight them, they can switch to the lower airways, which leads to pneumonia. “Infections are usually more severe, because we are talking about air vesicles, or lung tissue associated specifically with oxygen and ventilation,” says Dr. Andrew Miltzer, a professor of emergency medicine at George Washington University. Many elderly people who suffer from influenza and other viruses can develop pneumonia if they are not properly treated with medication conveniently and viruses.
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“These secondary infections occur because the lungs are not a sterile environment,” says Galitatuos. When the weak immune system is already recruited to fight the infection, this leaves the numerous bacteria that already live in our bodies – in the lungs, intestine, and other places – to activate it, because they are no longer being held by verifying dispersed immunity.
How to protect the elderly
The best way to maintain the elderly is safe from respiratory diseases is to ensure that they are not unnecessarily exposed to pathogenic viruses and bacteria. If you feel sick, for example, avoid visiting a member of his elderly family – and if you do so, wear a mask. It is also important to ensure that their environment or live environment has a good ventilation system with air filters that are cleaned or replaced regularly. Finally, Galepacos and Meltzer say, make sure that the elderly are updated in their vaccinations. Although their feet on the shots may not be strong as the responses of the younger person, vaccines can enhance their immune devices to keep their confrontations with light viruses as possible.
“It is important for all of us to exercise appropriate infectious control over this population,” says Galephasus.
