Preventing Pneumonia
Posted on November 30, 2010 by bob in In Every Life
Arlene Morris
Winter months are associated with colds, flu, and pneumonia. In preventing pneumonia, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” You can be exposed to organisms that cause pneumonia in either community settings (community-acquired pneumonia/CAP) or in hospital settings (hospital-acquired pneumonia/HAP). Organisms can be acquired from another person or from an object (door knob, phone, ventilator, tubing, etc). The location from which you contact the organism can be important because hospital organisms may be more resistant to some antibiotics. CAP is more common, often occurring in late fall and winter as a complication of influenza. Most people develop pneumonia when their immune systems can’t overcome the invading organisms.
Pneumonia is an excess of fluid in the lungs caused by inflammation, triggered by different types of organisms or by inhaling an irritant. Aspiration pneumonia can occur when a person inhales food, fluid, or another object that irritates the lung and/or blocks areas of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Sometimes (and especially in older adults), fever and cough are not present; symptoms may include confusion, anxiety, fatigue, decreased appetite, or shortness of breath (all due to less oxygen in the blood). Chest pain, headache, body aches, or increased heart rate may occur. Sometimes sputum is produced, but often congestion cannot be cleared from the airway, even with coughing.
Drinking fluids is important, to prevent dehydration and to thin secretions to enable them to be expelled with coughing. Dangerous complications of pneumonia are a weak pulse and irregular heart rhythms due to decreased oxygen to the heart muscle, which can cause a drop in blood pressure and shock. Antibiotics are often prescribed to combat the infectious organism(s); steroids may be necessary to decrease swelling if the airways are blocked.
While you may not be able to avoid all enclosed, crowded environments during your holiday shopping or gatherings, suggestions for preventing pneumonia include:
— Discuss with your health care provider whether immunizations for influenza (annually) and for pneumonia (every 5-10 years) are appropriate for you.
— Get enough rest, sleep, and healthy food to maintain your immunity.
— Unless your fluid intake is restricted, drink eight or more eight-ounce glasses of fluid per day; hot fluids and their steam may help clear lungs from congestion.
— Hand-washing and covering a cough or sneeze helps decrease spread of organisms. Small hand sanitizers in your purse or pocket can be used frequently if soap and water are not available.
— Avoid dust, smoking, second-hand smoke, aerosols, or other irritating inhalants.
— Avoid sitting or lying in the same position for more than two hours to prevent fluid accumulation in one area of your chest, and take deep breaths every waking hour.
— Swallow food and fluids carefully before talking or laughing.
— Keep your mouth and teeth clean.
— Lay on your side if nauseated.
— If respiratory equipment is used in your home, clean it as directed by the prescriber.
— See your healthcare provider if fever lasts more than 24 hours or if your immunity is decreased.
Have a healthy winter!
Arlene H. Morris, RN, Ed.D. is a Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching content regarding gerontology and professional nursing issues. Email her at amorris@aum.edu.
