Each week, Centra Care doctors compile thousands of numbers from patient data in Orange, Lake, Seminole and Osceola counties to determine "What's Going Around" in Central Florida. We believe this information is important enough to share with you, because if you know "What's Going Around" in your area of town you can help to prevent yourself, your co-workers and family from getting sick. Many times we are also able to provide home care suggestions which may help the person feel better more quickly.

The instances of pneumonia diagnoses across Centra Care’s 18 locations have doubled weekly over the past several weeks. Often an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu, develops into pneumonia.

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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which can be easily diagnosed with a chest x-ray. It is a common infection (affecting about 1% of the population each year) but it can also be dangerous (pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infection). It’s most often bacterial in nature, but can also be caused by a virus. Most cases of pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics at home (also known as “walking pneumonia”), but if the person is ill enough, they will need to be hospitalized.

Symptoms of pneumonia include: fever, shortness of breath, shallow & fast breathing, coughing (which may include mucus), sweating and chills. Headache, muscle ache, loss of appetite, and fatigue may also be present.

The symptoms of pneumonia often mimic other illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, so people often wait before seeking medical care. But developed pneumonia can cause severe symptoms, complications, as well as other illnesses -- which is why it’s so important to never self-diagnose and seek medical care promptly if you develop these symptoms. For those at high-risk like those with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, smokers, infants and the elderly -- pneumonia can be life-threatening.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a pneumonia vaccine for all people age 65 and older and anyone age 2 – 64 years that is considered high-risk for complications from pneumonia.

 

Sincerely,


Florida Hospital Centra Care
407-200-CARE (2273)
To learn more about "What's Going Around" in our community you can listen to the Centra Care Senior Medical Director each Tuesday morning between 8am and 8:30am on 88.3FM radio - Z88.3