Understanding Nursing Home-Acquired Pneumonia
Nursing-home acquired pneumonia (NHAP) is a leading cause of death in nursing homes in Tampa, and throughout the entire country. Due to the fact that people aged 65 years and older have a weakened immune system, the disease is very serious for those in this age group who contract it. Primarily, pneumonia impacts the lower respiratory tract and is a result of bacterial, fungal, or viral action. The seriousness of the disease can range from mild and unproblematic to severe and life-threatening.
If you or someone you love has contracted pneumonia within a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorneys explains more about the condition.
What is NHAP?
While NHAP can be viral, fungal, or bacterial, the mechanism of infection is even more important with NHAP. There are three ways individuals can contract the disease. They include:
- Nursing home-acquired pneumonia
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Nosocomial pneumonia
The first of these two mechanisms are very similar. The most common cause is Streptococcus pneumonia, more commonly referred to as S. pneumonia. It is always important to determine the cause of infection, as that can indicate severity. The most common form of NHAP caused by S. pneumonia is usually not severe and it is easily treatable. That being said, the more acute forms of NHAP which result in hospitalization, are used by S.aureus infection. These serious infections can lead to hospitalization and mechanical intervention, carrying a mortality rate of 1.5 percent.
Signs of NHAP
It is critical that anyone with a loved one in a nursing home can recognize the signs of NHAP. In older adults, the disease manifests quite subtly. While physical manifestations such as chills, fever, and chest pain are common, older adults are not likely to complain about these symptoms. As such, it is the duty of the nursing home to monitor the overall health of all residents to make sure the signs are caught early. Unfortunately, nursing home staff members are not always as vigilant as they should be.
NHAP is a culmination of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs, resulting in inflammation. When this happens, your loved one may have multiple symptoms. Many of the symptoms can be very dangerous if action is not taken to get to the cause of the problem. Some of these symptoms include:
- A persistent cough, often producing phlegm
- A high fever accompanied by chills or shakes with low body temperature
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Inability to focus
When nursing home staff members do not take action quickly enough to address the main cause, it is a life-threatening oversight. Nursing home residents and their family members have the right to seek justice when nursing homes, and their staff members, fail to do their job properly.
Our Nursing Home Infections Attorneys in Tampa Can Advise On Your Case
If your loved one suffered from NHAP while in a long-term facility, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home infections attorneys can advise on your case, explain your legal options, and help you navigate the process so you obtain the full damages you deserve. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
