Pope Francis' medical condition: What to know about bilateral pneumonia
The Vatican announced the Catholic leader's diagnosis — which was reportedly confirmed via laboratory tests and chest X-rays — in a statement on Tuesday.
"The polymicrobial infection, which arose on a picture of bronchiectasis and asmatiform bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex," the statement said.
"The chest CT scan that the Holy Father underwent this afternoon … demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy."
Pope Francis, 88, was recently hospitalized to treat bronchitis, a condition that can lead to pneumonia.
Pneumonia is defined by Cleveland Clinic as an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
This can cause the lung tissue to swell and create a buildup of fluid or pus in the lungs.
Bilaterial pneumonia, also known as double pneumonia, occurs in both lungs at the same time.
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, said the risk of bilateral pneumonia depends on the underlying health conditions of the patient and the strength of their immune system.
"It also depends on the bacteria — is it a resistant, aggressive form like pseudomonas, or strep or pneumococcus?" he told Fox News Digital.
"The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening."
"There are many causes — but in this case, I would suspect strep or pneumococcus," Siegel said. "[The pope] is not a smoker or immunocompromised, so I doubt it is staph aureus or gram-negative bacteria."
Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral.
Bacterial pneumonia is normally more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Cleveland Clinic.
It can be caused by an infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called pneumococcal disease. Other bacteria that can cause the respiratory condition include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires' disease), per the above source.
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Viral pneumonia can sometimes stem from viruses that include the flu, common cold, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
This type of pneumonia typically improves on its own.
In less common cases, some fungi (molds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia.
"The biggest concern is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life-threatening," Siegel cautioned.
The condition is also more dangerous for the elderly, the doctor added.
"[The pope] is also missing part of his lung due to prior pneumonia, and the scarring can cause recurrence and make healing more difficult," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
For once, good news: More colon cancers are getting caught early as 40-somethings line up for colonoscopies
Colon cancer researchers are crying tears of joy this morning. New data released today suggests that more early-stage colon cancer cases are being detected in younger people across the US, before it's too late. "It's the first time we've actually had really good news," cancer epidemiologist Rebecca Siegel, the senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, told Business Insider, shortly before the new report was released in the medical journal JAMA on Monday. "I start tearing up, because it's so exciting to see earlier diagnosis in these young people." For decades, Siegel has been watching as the rate of aggressive, late-stage young colon cancer cases has gone up and up in people under 50. She meets young survivors speaking out at conferences, "and then they're gone." "It's so sad," she said. In 2018, to respond to the trend of colon cancer hitting more folks under the age of 50, the ACS changed its colon cancer screening recommendations, telling people to start looking for colon cancer earlier, at age 45. But it wasn't until 2021 when the US Preventative Services Task Force made the same recommendation, triggering an insurance mandate for colonoscopies and stool testing. Today, just three years after the USPSTF switch, researchers are already seeing the benefits of earlier detection. More adults in the 45- to 49-year-old age group are getting screened, and more cases of very early-stage, highly treatable, and not-yet- symptomatic colon cancer are being found. From 2004 to 2019, colon cancer detection rates in this age group increased about 1% every year. After the ACS recommendation change in 2018, from 2019 to 2022 the detection rates surged by 12% year after year. In 2019, only 21% of people aged 45-49 had done any colon cancer screening — either a stool test or a colonoscopy. By 2023, more than 33% of adults in that age bracket had gotten checked. Most of the new cases were local-stage tumors, meaning these cancers were found before they'd spread to other parts of the body. "Lives are being saved," Siegel said. How to know whether you should get a colon cancer test When cancer is diagnosed earlier, it's treated more quickly and easily, and survival rates skyrocket. Still, fewer than 40% of people under the age of 50 do any kind of colon cancer screening. And most who do have private insurance. There is a cheap and easy solution for this that's already available: home testing with a stool kit like FIT. It costs just a few dollars and can be mailed to people right at home, requiring no prep work. "For this 45- to 49-year age group, these are young active people raising young families," Siegel said. "So stool testing is a great option." Siegel said that most people under the recommended screening age of 45 do not need to be screened for colon cancer, but she said there are a few groups that should talk to their doctor even before their 45th birthday: People with a family history of colorectal cancer People who are seeing troubling signs that may be early indicators of colon cancer, like: Signs of rectal bleeding (could be blood in the toilet or on your toilet paper) Changes in bowel habits (more constipation or more diarrhea than what's normal for you, over a period of several weeks) Persistent abdominal pain Iron deficiency anemia, which can be determined by a blood test "I tell people if you have these symptoms and your doctor doesn't do anything about it, follow up. Get a second opinion. Be your own advocate," Siegel said. "I have heard so many stories where the next doctor found cancer."
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Fox News
Experts warn of risks associated with common allergy medicines
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel explains the harmful side effects of some allergy drugs on 'Fox & Friends.'
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Fox News
5 everyday foods and drinks silently damaging your long-term health, say nutrition experts
As more Americans turn to healthier options and substitutes when it comes to their daily diets, some everyday food and drink choices could be standing in the way of their health goals. Fox News Digital spoke with three nutrition experts about everyday foods and drinks that are doing more harm than most people realize. These daily treats range from habitual drinks to common snacks – and experts urge Americans to take a closer look at what they consume. See the culinary culprits below and the reasons for their inclusion on this list. These are five worth noting. Microwave meals may be quick and convenient, but they often come with hidden health risks, according to Alma Simmons, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Ohio State University. "Frozen meals also have levels exceeding half your total daily limit of sodium (salt), causing increased blood pressure, retention of water and possible kidney strain," she told Fox News Digital. "In addition, most frozen meals contain unhealthy fats (saturated, trans), preservatives and additives linked to cardiovascular disease, inflammation and potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines." She also said that heating up certain plastics – even "microwave-safe" ones – can leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Also, frozen meals are low in nutrients, said Julia Zumpano, an Ohio-based registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition. "[This] can lead to nutrient deficiencies if nutrient-dense foods are not consumed in combination with these meals," she told Fox News Digital. It's best to exercise caution against daily diet sodas, as they have the potential to harm the gut biome, said Simmons. "The artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, used in diet sodas may interfere with gut microbiota and insulin sensitivity, though mechanisms are still debated," she said. Drinking diet soda is also just as harmful for your teeth as full-sugar soda, Simmons said. "Due to acidity, tooth erosion and dental decay still occur with zero-sugar drinks," she said. Zumpano echoed Simmons' advice, noting that diet sodas can still cause elevated triglycerides, blood sugars and weight gain. "Diet drinks can negatively impact the gut microbiome and increase your cravings for sweets and carbs, therefore inhibiting weight loss or appetite control," the nutritionist said. The amount of salt, unhealthy fats and calories in chips makes them a poor choice for a daily treat, said Lauren Manaker, a registered dietitian based in South Carolina. "Eating them daily can contribute to high blood pressure and make it harder to feel full, leading to overeating," she said. "Too much sodium can strain your heart and kidneys, while the lack of nutrients means they don't provide lasting energy or satiety," she also told Fox News Digital. She recommended chips as an occasional treat – or swapping them for other salty snacks. "Try alternatives like air-popped popcorn or roasted chickpeas for more nutrients," Manaker advised. Your sugary pre-work pick-me-up might bring you a lot of joy — but it can also raise serious health concerns. Excess sugar in coffee can spike your blood sugar levels and leave you feeling tired later, Manaker warned. "Drinks like flavored lattes or Frappuccinos can pack a surprising amount of added sugar, sometimes more than a dessert," she said. "Drinking them daily can lead to energy crashes and increase the risk of weight gain or insulin resistance over time." Instead, she suggested retraining your palate by going for unsweetened coffees – and saving the sugary versions as an occasional treat. The hardest habit for some Americans to quit is drinking alcohol. Daily alcohol consumption "can strain your liver, disrupt sleep and increase the risk of long-term health issues like high blood pressure and certain cancers," said Manaker. "Even small amounts can add up over time," she said. Its mood-disrupting qualities and empty calories make it a less-than-ideal daily habit – and Manaker encouraged limiting alcohol to a few days a week. "Always pair it with water to stay hydrated," she said. "Or try a mocktail."
