Pope Francis Hospitalized with Bilateral Pneumonia

According to reports from the Vatican, Pope Francis is receiving treatment in a hospital for bilateral pneumonia, a condition where both lungs are infected. The term describes an infection that impacts both lungs, leading to inflammation and the accumulation of immune cells in small pockets within the airways. The resulting symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and severe chills, can significantly affect a patient's health.

Experts such as Dr. James Musser, an infectious disease specialist at the Houston Methodist Research Institute, and Dr. Paul Pottinger, a professor of infectious diseases, have provided insights into the diagnosis and manifestations of pneumonia. They explain that doctors often ask patients to hold a prolonged “e” sound during examinations, as it may reveal abnormal sounds through a stethoscope that indicate an infection.

While many pneumonia patients may recover with home treatment, the condition is particularly dangerous for older individuals. Medical professionals, including Dr. Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California, San Francisco, have highlighted that the mortality risk rises substantially for those over 85, underlining the increased concern given the pope's age of 88.