What affected actor Dheeraj Kumar's health?

Veteran producer and actor Dheeraj Kumar's death at Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital at the age of 80, after entertaining generations for years, has left his fans saddened. He leaves behind a legacy of notable films, including Roti Kapada aur Makaan, Kranti, and Sargam, as well as popular TV shows such as Om Namah Shivay and Ishq Aaj Kal, which he produced. While his death happened due to a cardiac arrest, his health worsened due to complications triggered by acute pneumonia. He was hospitalised last week following breathing difficulties. Pneumonia was suspected during the hospitalisation and later confirmed. Within a few days, his condition worsened due to acute pneumonia, and he was put on ventilator support. 

While pneumonia results in the inflammation of the lungs, acute pneumonia is its severe form that is common in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Here's what you need to know. 

What causes acute pneumonia?
Pneumonia swells your lung tissues, filling them with pus or fluid. According to the Mayo Clinic, while viral pneumonia resolves on its own, bacterial pneumonia can be severe. It can affect one or both lungs, causing a cough with bloody, green or yellow mucus and a high fever. COVID-19, flu and other pneumococcal diseases can cause it. 

At times, it can be challenging to differentiate between flu and pneumonia symptoms. Therefore, it's better to let your doctor diagnose you rather than going for self-medication. In comparison to colds or the flu, pneumonia is often accompanied by chest pain or congestion, breathing difficulties, high fevers, and a cough with mucus. If the unwell patient is above 65 or under the age of 2, or if they have a lung or heart condition like asthma or emphysema, if they are pregnant, a smoker or have a weakened immune system, they would be at an increased risk of pneumonia. 

If the infection progresses at a faster pace, it can become life-threatening and develop into acute pneumonia. The aforementioned symptoms can escalate within a day or two, and even oxygen levels can drop in the patient's blood. In the elderly, it can also result in extreme fatigue, fainting, and confusion. This is what ultimately results in multiple organ failures or cardiac issues. 

How to prevent pneumonia
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the best way to prevent pneumonia is to get vaccinated against it. While they won't protect against all types of pneumonia, they can help prevent the disease from becoming severe. The pneumonia vaccines for children and adults are different, and your healthcare provider can recommend the right one for you. The vaccine for adults is often offered in private clinics, while the one for children is typically administered through public programs, such as the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). 
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