What Every COPD Patient Needs to Know About Bacterial Pneumonia
Posted Jul 28 2009 12:26am
By Deborah Leader, RN
It is estimated that more than 3 million cases of bacterial pneumonia occur each year in the United States alone. When treated, it is highly curable. If left untreated, however, it has a mortality rate of about 30 percent.
In patients who are diagnosed with a lung disease like COPD, contracting bacterial pneumonia can cause a downward spiral of repeated lung infections and a further decline of lung function.
So, why does bacterial pneumonia take such a toll on people who have COPD?
By Deborah Leader, RN
It is estimated that more than 3 million cases of bacterial pneumonia occur each year in the United States alone. When treated, it is highly curable. If left untreated, however, it has a mortality rate of about 30 percent.
In patients who are diagnosed with a lung disease like COPD, contracting bacterial pneumonia can cause a downward spiral of repeated lung infections and a further decline of lung function.
So, why does bacterial pneumonia take such a toll on people who have COPD?
Take a look!