Nine signs of pneumonia mistaken for other illnesses as Anthony Head dies at 72
After Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor, Anthony Head tragically died following ‘complications’ with pneumonia, the symptoms of the illness have been revealed, and also which ones can be often mistaken for other conditions.
The Ted Lasso star was just 72 when his daughters, Emily and Daisy, revealed that he had sadly passed away.
Issues stemming from pneumonia were cited as the reason, which is a lung infection that kills around 25,000 people in the UK each year, per Asthma and Lung UK.
While it’s generally treated with antibiotics, it can become deadly in some people, such as the elderly, babies, or those who are immunocompromised.
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When it comes to pneumonia, the symptoms can be brushed off as possibly being caused by other issues.
Like having a cough, or finding it hard to breathe.
But when it comes to this condition, there are tell-tale signs that often set it apart from the rest.
Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK and a practising GP told The Sun that there are nine signs that are also linked to other illnesses.
Like a chest infection.
He said: “A chest infection like pneumonia affects your lungs or airways. Symptoms include a chesty cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, a high temperature of 38C or above, and chest pains or discomfort.
“While most chest infections are not serious and last around three weeks, some can develop into more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
“Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs that may be caused by an infection.
“They can also worsen underlying health conditions such as asthma or COPD.”
There is also the case of developing a cough, which is common in things like a cold.
Dr Whittamore said: “Symptoms can include a cough, difficulty breathing, a high temperature, chest pain and loss of appetite.”
So, that’s a cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, temperature, chest pain, loss of appetite, discomfort, inflammation, feeling very tired, and suffering with an aching body.
While a lot of this seems normal in things like the flu or common cold, when it comes to pneumonia, a sharp pain in the chest that worsens when you cough or take deep breaths is an indication that it’s more serious.
Pneumonia can lead to serious complications, like experiencing a fluid buildup around the lungs, pus to build in the chest, in the lung, experience respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and more, per Asthma and Lung UK.
To reduce your risk of the illness, Dr Whittamore says to wash your hands with warm water and soap, use a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and throw the tissue away quickly.
You can also get the pneumonia vaccine
Britt Jones