Hospitalized for several days, the sovereign pontiff has been diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, a serious pulmonary infection that affects the two lungs.
- Pope Francis, 88, has been hospitalized for six days for bilateral pneumonia, a serious pulmonary infection affecting the two lungs.
- Initially admitted for bronchitis, its condition is qualified as “complex” by the Vatican. Pneumonia, of viral or bacterial origin, is particularly dangerous in the elderly, with a risk of respiratory distress.
- Despite the severity of the disease, the Vatican wants to reassure: the Pope remains in good humor and under narrow medical supervision. His commitments remain suspended, and his condition will be followed closely.
The Vatican announced on Wednesday February 18 that Pope Francis, 88, suffered from a “bilateral pneumonia which required new drug therapy”. Hospitalized in Rome for six days, the sovereign pontiff has a clinical picture qualified as “complex”. We explain to you what this severe pulmonary infection is.
A serious pulmonary infection
First hospitalized for bronchitis, the Pope was finally diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, a condition which simultaneously affects the two lungs and which can be of viral or bacterial origin. “Pneumopathies are caused by a microbe. Most often they are viruses, or bacteria, more rarely fungi or parasites”,, Explain the Lyon CHU. If bronchitis generally cures in a few days, it can degenerate into pneumonia, especially in the elderly.
The difference between bronchitis and pneumonia lies in the severity of symptoms. While a bronchitis manifests itself in a moderate cough, a flowing nose and a slight fever, pneumonia results in a large cough, a high fever, an accelerated heart rate and breathing difficulties. In other words, pneumonia is much noisier and severe than a simple bronchitis.
A more risky evolution in the elderly
Bilateral pneumonia is particularly dangerous in the elderly. According to Vidal,, “It is in the elderly that bronchitis most often evolves in pneumonia”. Indeed, the initial infection, which affects the bronchi, can extend to the lungs, causing severe inflammation. The Lyon University Hospital specifies that “The pulmonary alveoli are filled with pus and inflammatory fluid”which complicates breathing and can cause respiratory distress. The mortality rate of bilateral pneumonia can reach 15 %, even in people without medical history.
The Vatican, however, wanted to reassure the public by indicating on Wednesday on its Telegram channel, that “The pope spent a peaceful night, woke up and had breakfast”. He stressed that he remained “In a good mood” And benefited from rigorous medical management. While his commitments remain canceled until the weekend, the evolution of the health of the Sovereign Pontiff will be closely followed in the coming days.
