Question 1

can elderly get pneumonia vaccination after recovery from pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

: Yes. But understand the limits of its effectiveness. This shot helps you develop protective antibodies to strains of bacteria that are included in the shot. It does not stop all potential germ causes of pneumonia. I do find it valuable &amp; got it myself.

Question 2

what are the chances of a pneumonia in elderly?

Accepted Answer

Good: The chances of getting lung infections increases with age and underlying diseases, but is far more common in those over the age of 60.  Pneumococcal pneumonia used to be called the "old man's friend" because it would produce death in elderly individuals with chronic diseases that were debilitating.

Question 3

is viral pneumonia more dangerous for the elderly children?

Accepted Answer

Generally: It depends on the virus - there are outbreaks where the old and very young appear to have been spared for unclear reasons while those in the prime of life are most affected (e.g. The h1n1 outbreak).  In most cases, however, the very young and elderly are more vulnerable due to either a fading immune system or an immature one.

Question 4

what is the general regimen prescribed for nosocomial pneumonia in elderly?

Accepted Answer

Sputum culture: Nosocomial pneumonia most commonly are Gram negative bacteria,  MRSA, fungal organisms such as Candida.   Sputum cultures and sensitivities determine which antibiotics are most appropriate . 

But because the culture takes about 48-72 hrs , initial regimens include a second or third generation Cephalosporin or  a Quinolone.  Institutions where there is prevalence of MRSA ,  Vancomycin is added.

Question 5

should an elderly wiman sleep in a room with temp below 50 degrees when she is having respiroty problems, just got over pneumonia.

Accepted Answer

No: This is too cold with or without a respiratory infection, to sleep in. 65 degrees should be appropriate at night.

Question 6

is bacterial pneumonia more dangerous for elderly children?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is more dangerous in that  more severe illness and even death is statistically more common in the very young or the elderly. In both age groups pneumonia is still usually readily treatable with appropriate antibiotics and support. The highest risk of serious illness occurs not just with age, but with the existence of some other underlying disease. (cancer, heart disease, hiv, etc.).

Question 7

how likely is it that an elderly person will survive pneumonia with sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This depends on many factors - what bug, how strong is the person's immune system, how quicky treatment was started, how many organs are involved, etc.  Sometimes even severe cases of sepsis can be treated successfully with complete recovery.  Other times we are not as lucky.

Question 8

for an elderly with dementia, to further avoid aspiration pneumonia should we replace the peg tube for a pej one.  is that an option?consequences? thx

Accepted Answer

Quality of life...: Sometime a feeding tube is used but with advanced dementia, feeding tube often causes more harm than good. It is not easy, but significant illnesses reduces hunger and so one often does not feel hungry. Use of feeding tube thus equals forced feeding which  is not a good thing. Have a family meeting; discuss the wish of the person and respect it. It is not easy. Good luck.

Question 9

this is a hypothetical scenario  if an elderly pt is hypotensive eg bp in recent days 116/59, 107/59, 104/69, 112/69, 102/62 & 106/70 & is in pain could regular hydromorphione lower bp too much or affect other vital signs if pt has pneumonia & sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Yes it can: Hydromorphone is respiratory depressant and can make a patient with pneumonia and sepsis worse and can cause low blood pressure

Question 10

every year i have my 96 yr-old mother vaccinated against influenza. however, it is always possible that she could contract influenza before then. can influenza be sufficient to kill an elderly person by itself or is it only if it leads to pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Dangers of influenza: Certainly influenza can kill - actually 90% of the mortality is in those patients older than 65. That's because as we age, the body gets weaker (in all respects, including the immune system-we call this immunosenescence). The 'flu' can lead to a heart attack (from viral sepsis), primary or secondary pneumonia as you reference, plus other complications including stroke. Get HIGH DOSE vaccine 4 mom.

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Doctor answers about:

Pneumonia recovery time elderly

A member asked:

Can elderly get pneumonia vaccination after recovery from pneumonia?

A member asked:

What are the chances of a pneumonia in elderly?

A member asked:

Is viral pneumonia more dangerous for the elderly children?

A member asked:

What is the general regimen prescribed for nosocomial pneumonia in elderly?

A member asked:

Should an elderly wiman sleep in a room with temp below 50 degrees when she is having respiroty problems, just got over pneumonia.

A member asked:

Is bacterial pneumonia more dangerous for elderly children?

A member asked:

How likely is it that an elderly person will survive pneumonia with sepsis?

A member asked:

For an elderly with dementia, to further avoid aspiration pneumonia should we replace the peg tube for a pej one. is that an option?consequences? thx

A member asked:

This is a hypothetical scenario if an elderly pt is hypotensive eg bp in recent days 116/59, 107/59, 104/69, 112/69, 102/62 & 106/70 & is in pain could regular hydromorphione lower bp too much or affect other vital signs if pt has pneumonia & sepsis?

A member asked:

Every year i have my 96 yr-old mother vaccinated against influenza. however, it is always possible that she could contract influenza before then. can influenza be sufficient to kill an elderly person by itself or is it only if it leads to pneumonia?

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