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February 25, 2025 | 05:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reports emerged on Saturday, February 22, 2025, that Pope Francis was in critical condition. The Vatican confirmed that the 88-year-old man required oxygen supplementation and blood transfusions due to his worsening condition.
Reuters reported that due to this condition, the Pope was unable to make a public appearance on Sunday, February 23, 2025, to lead a mass. This marked the second consecutive week that the Pope had been absent from this duty due to health issues.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is battling double pneumonia, which has led to breathing difficulties. His infection is considered complex as it is caused by multiple microorganisms.
In recent years, the Pope has undergone several medical procedures, including abdominal surgery in 2023. As his health has declined in recent weeks, he has increasingly relied on his aides to deliver speeches and messages on his behalf.
What is Double Pneumonia?
As reported by Healthline, double pneumonia is an infection that affects both lungs simultaneously. This infection triggers inflammation in the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus which hinders the breathing process.
Pneumonia is also categorized by the number of lung lobe segments affected. The more segments involved—whether in one or both lungs—the more severe the condition.
The disease can spread through direct contact with viruses or airborne droplets. Without timely treatment, pneumonia can become a serious health risk.
Symptoms of Double Pneumonia
The symptoms of double pneumonia are similar to those of pneumonia affecting only one lung. The severity of the infection is not always higher just because both lungs are infected. A person can experience a mild infection in both lungs or, conversely, a severe infection in both.
The symptoms of pneumonia can vary depending on age, health condition, and the type of infection experienced. Some common symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Stuffy nose
Cough that may produce phlegm
Fever, sweating, and chills
Rapid heartbeat and breathing
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
In people over 65 years of age, the symptoms may also include:
Confusion
Difficulty in thinking
Body temperature lower than normal
Causes of Double Pneumonia
As reported by Medical News Today, infections caused by viruses or bacteria entering the lungs are the most common cause of pneumonia. In rarer cases, pneumonia can also develop from inhaling certain fungal spores.
Double pneumonia occurs when the microorganisms causing the infection attack both lungs at the same time. Some factors that can cause pneumonia, including double pneumonia, are:
1. Bacteria
Bacterial pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia in adults. In the United States, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae.
2. Viruses
Influenza viruses are the main cause of viral pneumonia in adults, while Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) often causes viral pneumonia in infants and young children. Lung infections from viruses can also increase the risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia.
3. Fungi
Pneumonia due to fungal infections is less common. However, individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to fungal pneumonia compared to those with healthy immune systems.
Risk Factors of Double Pneumonia
According to Mayo Clinic, pneumonia can affect anyone, but certain groups face a higher risk, particularly:
Children aged 2 or younger
Adults aged 65 or older
Other key risk factors include:
Hospitalization: The risk increases for those in intensive care, especially if using a ventilator.
Chronic illnesses or Infection: Conditions like asthma, COPD, or heart disease make pneumonia more likely.
Smoking: Smoking weakens the body's natural defenses against pneumonia-causing bacteria and viruses.
Weakened immune system: Those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or individuals undergoing chemotherapy or long-term steroid treatment are at greater risk.
Pope Francis has several of these risk factors. He has a history of respiratory illnesses. As a young adult, he suffered from pleurisy, a lung inflammation, which led to the removal of part of one lung—making him more prone to lung infections.
Suci Sekarwati contributed to the writing of this article.
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