Duration of pneumonia in old age

In old age, a significantly longer duration of pneumonia is to be expected than in young people. While young and otherwise healthy persons will have completely recovered from pneumonia after a few weeks, the recovery in older people can take several months. At first, the body has to defend itself against the pathogens.

This takes a little longer in old age, so that one must reckon with two months rather than one month. In addition, there are the consequences of pneumonia, i.e. listlessness, possibly more rapid shortness of breath during physical exertion, etc. These symptoms also take several months until they subside completely and the elderly people affected are back to the state of health they had before the pneumonia.

Consequences of pneumonia

The most feared complication of pneumonia is the spread of the infection throughout the body. This often happens via the blood as a result of blood poisoning. As a result, the pathogens (mostly bacteria) also attach themselves to other organs, often the heart, kidneys and brain.

As a result, not only respiratory insufficiency (inability of the lungs to absorb sufficient oxygen) but also failure of the other affected organs can occur. This can result in kidney or heart failure, for example, which can quickly become life-threatening, especially in old age. An inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) is also possible. This expresses itself through symptoms such as confusion, headaches, nausea, vomiting and neurological deficits and can often have severe irreversible (irreversible) consequences.

Vaccination against pneumonia

Vaccination against the most common influenza pathogens is recommended by the STIKO (permanent vaccination commission) in the population groups at risk. This includes all persons who have a susceptible immune system, i.e. small children and elderly people as well as persons who take immunosuppressive (anti-infective) drugs and those who have a disease that inhibits the immune system. The vaccination is against the bacteria pneumococcus, and flu vaccination is also recommended to prevent pneumonia. In addition, it helps to have even minor infections clarified by a doctor, so that a worsening of the infection up to pneumonia can be avoided or at least detected in time.