Bilateral pneumonia: understand the health of Pope Francis

Pontiff was hospitalized on Friday to take care of a respiratory infection; Yesterday, the Vatican announced that the clinical picture was “complex”

The Pope Francis remains hospitalized University Polyclinic Hospital Agostino Gemelliin Rome. According to a bulletin updated by Vatican On the afternoon of Tuesday 18, Bilateral pneumonia has been diagnosed.

“The thoracic tomography to which the Holy Father underwent this afternoon […] He showed the emergence of bilateral pneumonia which required a rear pharmacological treatment. However, Pope Francis is in a good mood, “said the Vatican in the afternoon medical bulletin.

Historical

The pontiff was hospitalized on Friday 14, after a week of bronchitis. According to the Italian press agency, he arrived in Gemelli on Friday without a lot of breath due to the breathing difficulty linked to an excess of mucus and a “home” treatment for bronchitis had not given the expected results.

On Monday 17, the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the Pope had a “polymicrobial respiratory infection”. In an interview with EstodãoThe pulmonologist Elie Fess, of the German hospital Oswaldo Cruz, in San Paolo, explained that this picture indicates the presence of more pathological agents. “It can be a viral infection followed by a bacterium, or even by an infection caused by two viruses. It is still possible to have the action of two bacteria,” said the expert.

What is bilateral pneumonia

According to Gabriel Santiago, national coordinator of Rede d’Or Polmonology, when it comes to bilateral pneumonia, it means that the infection affects both lungs. This image can be more serious than “common” pneumonia, which affects only a part of a lung, especially in the case of the Pope.

The doctor recalls that the pontiff had a serious lung infection when he was young, which led to the removal of part of his right lung, as well as the evolution for the changes called bronchiectia, who are enlarged of the bronchi and difficulties to expect secretion.

“This condition makes it a minor respiratory capacity, which can make it more vulnerable to infections and respiratory complications, in particular with the progress of age”, explains Santiago.

In addition, according to the expert, the most important thing in these cases is to guarantee adequate treatment, choosing specific antibiotics for the bacteria involved, with the support of the sensitivity tests of these microorganisms. The goal is to control the infection and avoid the evolution of the picture with even more serious complications.

Fragile health

The Pope has to face health problems for a long time, including prolonged bronchitis episodes. During the sacred mass of the Armed Forces Jubilee, last Sunday 9, the Pope He asked an assistant to read the speech because of the breathing difficulties.

Use a walking or stick to move. In January, He suffered a drop in his house and wounded his right arm. At the time he had to immobilize his arm as a precaution.

Before then, the Pope had already appeared with a bruise after beating his chin on the bedside table. In the end, he also used wheelchairs to move. / With information from AP and Victoria Ribeiro

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.