Identifying the Signs of Pneumonia and Preventing Them

Pneumonia is a condition where the air sacs of the lungs, either one or both of them, are inflamed. This condition can either be mild or can be life-threatening depending on the patient. Pneumonia is most often life-threatening to the following:

• infants
• little children
• older adults aged 65 years and above
• patients with weakened immune systems or health issues

Many families typically opt to engage with a professional home care agency, like Sage Home Care, to help care for their loved ones with pneumonia.

Signs of Pneumonia

Different patients may show different symptoms depending on their health status, their age or the type of germ that caused pneumonia. In general, listed below are a number of signs of pneumonia.

• Cough which may be accompanied by phlegm
• Fever and chills
• Chest pain when coughing or breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion for older adults

If your loved one suffers from persistent coughing, persistent fever, chest pains or experiences difficulties in breathing, consult the doctor immediately. If you are not at home, Sage Home Care, a provider of home care in White Plains, NY and surrounding communities, can help check these signs in your aging parents.

Preventing Pneumonia

While care services of are available for those with weak immune systems, thereby reducing their chances of developing pneumonia, there are also other things that you can do. Consider the following prevention tips:

• Get vaccinated.
  Immunizations can help prevent certain types of pneumonia. Make sure that the entire family, especially the little children and the senior members, are vaccinated. Check with the doctor about the vaccination guidelines and shots that the entire family needs to get for protection.
• Quit smoking.
  Smoking damages the lungs. It also increases the risks of developing a variety of respiratory infections and diseases. The earlier you quit, the better it will be for your overall health.
• Boost your immune system.
  Boosting your immune system means that you will need to live a healthier lifestyle from now on. Eat healthily. Get enough rest. Exercise regularly.
• Observe proper hygiene.
  Make sure to wash your hands regularly to rid your hands of various disease-causing germs. Remind your family members, too.
• Engage with our experts in home care in White Plains, NY or a nearby community if you or a loved one could use extra help.
  These individuals include younger children and the elderly in your family.

If you need a caregiver for the elderly in White Plains, NY or the nearby areas, get in touch with Sage Home Care today!