Following Pope Francis’ diagnosis on bilateral pneumonia, doctors talk about the condition.
The Vatican has announced the diagnosis of the Catholic leader-reportedly confirmed by laboratory tests and breast X-rays-in statement on Tuesday.
“The polymicrobic infection, which arose on a picture of bronchicisis and asmatiform bronchitis, and which required the use of antibiotic court therapy, makes the therapeutic treatment more complex,” the statement said.
Pope Francis diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, Vatican says
“The chest CT -scan that the Holy Father suffered this afternoon … proved the appearance of bilateral pneumonia, which required further pharmacological therapy.”
Pope Francis leads Mass in St. Peter’s Square on February 9, 2025 in the Vatican City. (Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis/Corbis by Getty Images)
Pope Francis, 88 -year -old, was recently hospitalized to treat bronchitis, a condition that can lead to pneumonia.
What is bilateral 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 fluid construction or push in the lungs.
Growth of walking pneumonite affects these risky groups, says Dr. Marc Siegel
Bilateral pneumonite, also known as double pneumonia, occurs in both lungs at a 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 patient’s healthy conditions below and the strength of their immune system.
Pneumonia is defined as an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. (istock)
“It also depends on the bacteria – is it immune, aggressive form like pseudomonas, or strep or pneukoccus?” He told Fox News Digital.
“The greatest care is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely threatening.”
“There are many causes – but in this case I would suspect Strep or Pneukoccus,” Siegel said. “(The Pope) is not a smoker or immuno-compromised, so I doubt it is Staph aureus or gram-negative bacteria.”
Bacterial vs male pneumonia
Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral.
Bacterial pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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It can be caused by infection of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called tire disease. Other bacteria, which can cause the respiratory condition, include mycoplasmic pneumoniae, hemophilus flu, klomidia pneumoniae and legionary (legionary diseases), according to the upper source.
Most cases of community-acquired pneumonia are bacterial or viral. (istock)
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.
Viral pneumonia can sometimes come from viruses, which include the flu, common cold, Covid-19 and respiratory Sincitia virus (RSV), according to Cleveland Clinic.
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This type of pneumonia typically improves by itself.
In less common cases, some fungi (molds) or protozoa can cause pneumonia.
Pope Francis holds his homily during the weekly general public at the Paul VI -Hall on February 12, 2025 in the Vatican City. (Reuters/Cyrus of Luca/File Photo)
“The greatest care is that it could spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is definitely life threatening,” Siegel warned.
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The condition is also more dangerous to the elderly, the doctor added.
“(The Pope) is also missing part of his lung due to previous pneumonia, and the scar can cause recurrence and make it difficult to heal,” he said.
