Vinod Kumar Shukla Death: What Is Severe Pneumonia and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Renowned Hindi writer and Jnanpith Award winner Vinod Kumar Shukla died at the age of 89 years after suffering from a severe bout of pneumonia. According to news reports, Shukla, a well-respected name

in literature, was undergoing treatment in the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur in Chhattisgarh. The hospital’s medical bulletin said Shukla was admitted to the Critical Care Unit in a serious condition as he was suffering from a severe respiratory illness and was a known case of interstitial lung disease, or ILD. His condition was further complicated by multiple co-morbidities, which included type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Doctors said at the time of his treatment, Shukla was put on advanced life support, which included mechanical ventilation, and was administered multiple inotropic drugs to maintain blood pressure.

What is severe pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs, which is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, causing the lung tissue to swell, resulting in fluid or pus in your lungs. Bacterial pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia, which often resolves on its own. Pneumonia affects one or both lungs. While many symptoms of pneumonia are similar to those of the common cold and flu, it is a serious and dangerous condition if not treated well in time. As pneumonia is life-threatening, doctors always advise seeking medical attention for serious symptoms that could be signs of pneumonia, like:

• Congestion or chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.88 degrees Celsius) or higher
• Coughing up yellow, green, or bloody mucus or spit

Who is most at risk of getting pneumonia?

According to experts, you are at an increased risk of pneumonia if you:

• Are over the age of 65 years and under 12 years
• You are living with a lung or heart condition like cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pulmonary fibrosis
• You are living with a neurological condition that makes swallowing difficult, like Parkinson’s disease or stroke
• Are in the hospital or at a long-term care facility
• Are a smoker
• Are pregnant
• Have a weakened immune system if you have been on chemotherapy or are an organ transplant recipient

What causes severe pneumonia?

Pneumonia develops when your immune system attacks an infection in the small sacs of your lungs’ alveoli, making them swell and leak fluid. Many bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause infections that lead to pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause in adults, and viruses are the most common cause in school-aged children. Common illnesses that can lead to pneumonia include the common cold, COVID-19 infection, flu, human metapneumovirus, human parainfluenza virus, or Legionnaires’ disease.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia

Doctors say the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia develop gradually or suddenly, a few of which include:

• High fever (up to 105 F or 40.55 C)
• Cough with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
• Tiredness and severe fatigue
• Rapid breathing
• Breathlessness
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweating or chills
• Chest pain or abdominal pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Bluish skin, lips, or nails – also known as cyanosis
• Confusion or altered mental state