Beloved Oscar winning actress Diane Keaton died of bacterial pneumonia at the age of 79, according to a death certificate from Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Every year, pneumonia leads to about 1.2 million hospitalizations in the United States and over 41,000 deaths, according to the CDC. Here is everything you need to know about pneumonia.
Pneumonia- Causes And Symptoms
Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that results in the air sacs within the lungs to fill with fluid and pus. This can impact the body’s ability to take in oxygen, which then results in difficulty breathing for many patients. The disease can range from mild to life-threatening, depending on a person’s age, overall health, and type of organism that is causing the illness.
The infection can be caused by a variety of different pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most common type would be bacterial pneumonia, as was the cause in Keaton’s case. This type of pneumonia can produce more severe symptoms and is most commonly caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
Viral pneumonia is often caused by respiratory viruses such as influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and of course coronaviruses (COVID-19). Vaccines for all three of these viruses are available and can largely prevent the disease or mitigate symptoms. Fungal pneumonia is less common and typically affects people with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV or patients on chemotherapy.
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia can appear similar to the common flu, but usually last longer, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common symptoms for pneumonia include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue.
Conditions Associated With Pneumonia
Several health conditions can increase the risk of developing pneumonia or worsen its severity. Some of these underlying medical conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Those individuals with weakened immune systems are also at risk because they are less able to fight infections effectively. These would include patients that have cancer, HIV or are on long-term steroid use.
Why Pneumonia Can Be Devastating For Seniors
Older adults account for the majority of pneumonia-related deaths each year in the U.S., particularly those aged 75 and above, according to the CDC. In seniors, physical changes associated with aging such as decreased lung elasticity and a weaker cough reflex can make it more challenging to clear bacteria and different organisms from the lungs. In addition, the elderly are more likely to have underlying health conditions that can complicate a successful recovery.
An important complication known as sepsis, which is life-threatening, is also more common among the elderly. This is when the infection spreads to the bloodstream and can affect different organs in the body. In this scenario, the body’s immune system overreacts to the infection, causing damage and inflammation to multiple organs. This can ultimately lead to respiratory failure and death if left untreated.
Preventing Pneumonia
Many of the various causes of pneumonia can be prevented from vaccines. The most common viral pneumonias such as flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can largely be prevented through vaccination. The pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia, is now recommended for children younger than the age of 5 and adults 50 years of age and older, according to the CDC. Vaccines remain the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death.
In addition, regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can reduce transmission of respiratory illnesses. Finally, strengthening the immune system through regular exercise, sleep and avoiding smoking can add an extra layer of protection against acquiring debilitating infections.
Pneumonia, as exemplified through the death of beloved actress Diane Keaton, remains a serious concern for public health. Although pneumonia can affect anyone at any age, early recognition and preventive strategies can help mitigate poor outcomes from an infection that affects millions of Americans every year.
