President Bush in the ICU: Why Does Pneumonia Strike Older Adults?

Former President George H. W. Bush and former First Woman Barbara Bush in Houston on March 29, 2015.

Credit score: Tom Pennington/Getty Photos

Former President George H.W. Bush was hospitalized on Jan. 14 following a bout of pneumonia, CNN reported as we speak (Jan. 18).

As well as, Bush's spouse, former first girl Barbara Bush, was admitted to the hospital as we speak as a precaution as a result of she was experiencing "fatigue and coughing," based on CNN.

The 41st president turned 92 final summer season, and Barbara Bush is 91. Why does pneumonia typically strike older adults? [27 Devastating Infectious Diseases]

One purpose is that an individual's immunity declines after age 50, "so it would not be stunning if somebody who's over 90 would have a diminished immunity," stated Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York Metropolis who has not handled both of the Bushes.

Pneumonia, which is characterised by irritation of the lungs, is extra widespread within the winter, Horovitz informed Stay Science. And, there are additionally many different respiratory diseases, together with the flu and customary chilly viruses, which are circulating right now of yr, he stated.

Medical doctors "all the time hospitalize" aged people in the event that they get pneumonia, and hospitalization is especially necessary if the individual additionally has different medical issues, Horovitz stated.

Though he is not conversant in Bush's particular well being circumstances, Horovitz famous that the previous president makes use of a wheelchair. This might imply that Bush additionally has neurological well being issues, which may in flip imply that his cough is probably not as efficient at clearing mucus or secretions from the lungs as somebody who's stronger, he stated. (In actual fact, Bush does have a sort of Parkinson's illness, based on CNN.)

Precisely what remedy is used for somebody with pneumonia relies on whether or not that individual's illness is attributable to a virus or bacterium, Horovitz stated. Viral pneumonia tends to be extra contagious, but additionally usually causes a much less extreme an infection than bacterial pneumonia, he stated. Oftentimes, medical doctors will give a affected person an antibiotic — even earlier than take a look at outcomes come again to find out if the trigger is viral or bacterial — "to cowl, simply in case it does end up to bacterial," he stated.

For older adults with pneumonia, medical doctors "must be a little bit guarded" about giving a definitive prognosis, Horovitz stated. "Pneumonia shouldn't be all the time easy, and in somebody who's fragile with a compromised immune system as a result of [he or she is] aged, there's all the time a fear" that the person could develop issues, he stated.

Bacterial pneumonia, for instance, can get into an individual's bloodstream and unfold by way of the physique, Horovitz stated. Issues can embrace kidney failure and abscess formation, he stated. 

The illness can set off a cascade of occasions that result in "a multipronged assault" on the physique, he stated.

For older adults, nonetheless, vaccines can be found that shield towards sure sorts of bacterial pneumonia, he stated. All adults over age 65 ought to get the vaccine, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Initially printed on Stay Science.

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