Whoopi Goldberg Was Hospitalised Due To Pneumonia In Both Lungs

Actress Whoopi Goldberg was back in hospital last week after she was struck down with a bug following her near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

Whoopi Goldberg’s Struggling Health

The Ghost star was recently forced to take a weeks-long leave of absence from her U.S. talk show The View after battling pneumonia in both lungs, as well as sepsis which is a potentially deadly complication of an infection.

She managed to beat the ailments and gradually returned to her role as a TV panelist last month but had to miss another taping of the series on Thursday to seek treatment for a separate illness.

“(I) had a 24-hour bug, which landed me back in the hospital last week, which is why I missed you all on Thursday. But, you know the bug came and went. It’s gone. I seem to be doing well. I’m here!”

Whoopi had previously shared how serious her health crisis had been in a pre-taped video message which aired on The View in early March.

“I came very, very close to leaving the earth,” the actress told fans in the clip. “Good news, I didn’t.”

She made a surprise cameo on the show a week later, as she warned viewers to pay close attention to their health, as she had been brushing off a niggling cough since November (18), and only decided to seek treatment earlier this year.

“This is a cautionary tale for all of us…,” the 63-year-old  actress said.

“The scariest moment was hearing my doctor say to me, ‘You do realize how close to death you were?’ That was like, ‘Er, no, actually I hadn’t thought of it!’”

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), leading to coughing with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, consisting of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia: Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ leading to the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may consist of:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)]
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating.

Pneumonia: When To See A Doctor

See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you are coughing up the pus.

It is especially important that people in these high-risk groups see a doctor:

• Adults older than age 65
• Children younger than age 2 with signs and symptoms
• People with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system
• People receiving chemotherapy or taking medication that suppresses the immune system

For some older adults and people with heart failure or chronic lung problems, pneumonia can quickly become a life-threatening condition.

What Are The Causes Of Pneumonia?

Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. Your body usually prevents these germs from infecting your lungs. But on an occasion, these germs can overpower your immune system, even if your health is generally good.

Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection.

Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by:

• Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This type of pneumonia can occur on its own or after you’ve had a cold or the flu. It may affect one part (lobe) of the lung, a condition called lobar pneumonia.
• Bacteria-like organisms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia. It typically produces milder symptoms than do other types of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is an informal name given to this type of pneumonia, which typically isn’t severe enough to require bed rest.
• Fungi. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms. The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or bird droppings and vary depending upon geographic location.
• Viruses. Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. Viral pneumonia is usually mild. But in some cases, it can become very serious.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia
Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.

Healthcare-acquired pneumonia

Healthcare-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities or who receive care in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, healthcare-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.

Aspiration pneumonia

It occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Pneumonia?

Pneumonia can affect anyone. But the two age groups at highest risk are as follows:

• Children who are 2 years old or younger
• People who are age 65 or older

Other risk factors also consist of :

• Being hospitalized. You are at greater risk of pneumonia if you are in a hospital intensive care unit, especially if you are on a machine that helps you breathe (a ventilator).
• Chronic disease. You are more likely to get pneumonia if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart disease.
• Smoking. Smoking damages your body’s natural defenses against the bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia.
• Weakened or suppressed immune system. People who have HIV/AIDS, who’ve had an organ transplant, or who receive chemotherapy or long-term steroids are at risk.

What Are The Complications Of Pneumonia?

Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, especially those in high-risk groups, may experience complications, consisting of:

• Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia). Bacteria that enter the bloodstream from your lungs can spread the infection to other organs, potentially causing organ failure.
• Difficulty breathing. If your pneumonia is severe or you have chronic underlying lung diseases, you may have trouble breathing in enough oxygen. You may need to be hospitalized and use a breathing machine (ventilator) while your lung heals.
• Fluid accumulation around the lungs (pleural effusion). Pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in the thin space between layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). If the fluid becomes infected, you may need to have it drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery.
• Lung abscess. An abscess occurs if pus forms in a cavity in the lung. An abscess is usually treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, surgery or drainage with a long needle or tube placed into the abscess is needed to remove the pus.

Prevention Of Pneumonia

You can prevent pneumonia by following these different approaches:

• Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available to prevent some types of pneumonia and the flu. Talk with your doctor about getting these shots. The vaccination guidelines have changed over time so make sure to review your vaccination status with your doctor even if you recall previously receiving a pneumonia vaccine.
• Make sure children get vaccinated: Doctors recommend a different pneumonia vaccine for children younger than age 2 and for children ages 2 to 5 years who are at particular risk of pneumococcal disease. Children who attend a group child care center should also get the vaccine. Doctors also recommend flu shots for children older than 6 months.
• Practice good hygiene: To protect yourself against respiratory infections that sometimes lead to pneumonia, wash your hands regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Do not smoke: Smoking damages your lungs’ natural defenses against respiratory infections.
• Keep your immune system strong: Get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.