Mercy's Dr. Jonathan Rich Discusses Complications of Pneumonia
December 17, 2018
Pneumonia is a fairly common illness, but if left untreated, it can be very serious -- even fatal.
Pneumonia is an infection deep within the lung tissue that can be seen on a lung X-ray or CAT scan. Older people and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
According to Mercy Medical Center’s Dr. Jonathan Rich, D.O. complications from the infection can be severe, causing shortness of breath, or the infection could spread into the bloodstream.
"So that would be sepsis, where the infection is in your lung but it seeps into your body. You can get really sick from that and end up in the hospital or even the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), that can be a pretty severe infection," Dr. Rich said.
Pneumonia is typically treated with antibiotics. Dr. Rich recommended anyone over the age of 65 get a pneumonia vaccine.
To view Mercy’s Dr. Jonathan Rich’s interview regarding complications of pneumonia, click here.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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