Symptoms and diagnosis of pneumonia
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A long-time heavy smoker and drinker, his DNA in the cells mutated, forming a tumour in his right lung. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992, the actor – best known as the leading man in the 1961 rom-com, Breakfast At Tiffany’s – underwent surgery. While the cancerous lesion was successfully removed, he developed “breathing problems” two years later that led to a hospital admission in 1994.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Peppard developed pneumonia, which lead to his unfortunate death, aged 65.
Lung cancer
Clinical oncologist, Dr Neil Bayman, pointed out that “lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK”.
“Smoking tobacco is the cause of most lung cancers and the biggest risk factor,” Dr Bayman made clear. “This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes.”
A former smoker would need to give up the unhealthy habit for at least 15 years before their lung cancer risk rivals a non-smoker.
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While Peppard did eventually give up smoking, he did so after having surgery to remove the tumour.
And it was pneumonia, after all, that lead to Peppard’s final breath in the UCLA Medical Center.
Pneumonia
The NHS explains: “Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs.”
The inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection or virus, which can lead to the following symptoms:
- A cough, which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- High temperature
- Feeling generally unwell
- Sweating and shivering
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain.
Less common symptoms could include:
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Wheezing
- Joint and muscle pain
- Feeling confused and disorientated.
While the symptoms of pneumonia can be reported using the 111 online service, there are times when it is a medical emergency.
Call 999 for an ambulance if you or somebody you know:
- Are struggling to breathe
- Are coughing up blood
- Have blue lips or a blue face
- Feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- Have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- Collapse or faint
- Become confused or very drowsy
- Have stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual.
The elderly are more at risk of serious complications of pneumonia, the NHS asserts.
Possible complications include pleurisy, where the lining between the lungs and ribcage becomes inflamed, which can lead to respiratory failure.
Another risk is a lung abscess, which is more common in people who have a history of severe school misuse.
Sepsis, otherwise known as blood poising, is also a plausible complication of pneumonia.
The elderly are more at risk of serious complications of pneumonia, the NHS asserts.
Possible complications include pleurisy, where the lining between the lungs and ribcage becomes inflamed, which can lead to respiratory failure.
Another risk is a lung abscess, which is more common in people who have a history of severe school misuse.
Sepsis, otherwise known as blood poising, is also a plausible complication of pneumonia.
For most people, mild pneumonia can be treated in the comfort of their own home.
All that is required is plenty of rest, antibiotics (if pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection), and drinking plenty of fluids.
“If you do not have any other health problems, you should respond well to treatment and soon recover,” the NHS says.
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