Pneumonia

Streptococcus pneumonia, a sometimes-lethal type of bacterium that causes many cases of pneumonia, bloodstream infections and other illnesses, is rapidly becoming resistant to antibiotics, a government study found. Experts have warned for a decade that overuse of antibiotics is helping germs become resistant to the drugs, raising the specter of more deaths and amputations. Between 1995 and 1998, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected 12,045 samples from U.S.

Vin Scully was back in the press box, back telling stories, being modest, laughing, delighting. After being out all week because of a cold so severe he was told it was "one click from pneumonia," Los Angeles' great civic treasure returned to the broadcast booth Sunday. Scully missed five games, the last four played in chilly weather. Now that warm blanket on a cold night for Dodgers fans was back, saying he was humbled by all the attention his absence caused. "It was very, very touching and memorable and humbling," Scully said.

The transsexual whose need for a sex-change operation resulted in a curious bank robbery that was eventually commemorated as the film "Dog Day Afternoon" has died of AIDS-related pneumonia, her notorious former lover said. Elizabeth Debbie Eden, formerly Ernest Aron, died Tuesday in Genesee Hospital in Rochester. Ms. Eden, 41, "requested that we release no information about her illness," said Jean Dalmath, a hospital spokeswoman.

Evangelist Billy Graham, who is 93 years old, was hospitalized Wednesday in Asheville, N.C., and subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia. It was the second time in about six months that Graham has been treated for the condition. As of Thursday afternoon, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn. Website reported that the reverend ate sitting in a chair in his hospital room, and that he was walking and chatting with hospital staff.  Graham's pulmonologist said that he "looks better.

When a nearly 600-pound man who boldly promoted food at a restaurant called the Heart Attack Grill dies, one of the first reactions is likely to be ... , well, not one of surprise. But then comes the news that Blair River might have died of pneumonia. Hold on. Don't order up that 8,000-calorie burger just yet. Note that there is a potential link between obesity and pneumonia. "After accounting for factors such as lifestyle and education, moderately obese men -- those with a body mass index between 30 and 34.9 -- had a 40% greater risk of pneumonia compared with those of normal weight (BMI of less than 24.9)

International donors have pledged more than $4 billion this week to support vaccines for children in developing countries. Two of their primary targets? Diarrhea and pneumonia - horrible specters elsewhere in the world, much less so in this country. "For the first time in history, children in developing countries will receive the same vaccines against diarrhea and pneumonia as children in rich countries," Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates was quoted as saying.

Evangelist Billy Graham, who is 93 years old, was hospitalized Wednesday in Asheville, N.C., and subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia. It was the second time in about six months that Graham has been treated for the condition. As of Thursday afternoon, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn. Website reported that the reverend ate sitting in a chair in his hospital room, and that he was walking and chatting with hospital staff.  Graham's pulmonologist said that he "looks better.

The Food and Drug Administration Thursday warned physicians and patients that the intravenous antibiotic Cubicin can cause life-threatening eosinophilic pneumonia, which is marked by the accumulation of a type of white blood cells called eosinophils in the lungs. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Cubicin is the brand name for the generic drug daptomycin, sold by Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. It was approved in September 2003 for treating serious skin infections and in 2006 to treat bloodstream infections.

The major types of pneumonia--a general term for several kinds of inflammation of the lungs--are bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia and mycoplasma pneumonia. However, only pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria can be prevented with a vaccine. Here are statistics and other facts about pneumonia (unless otherwise noted, figures are for 1996, the most recent year for which they are available): * Deaths annually: 83,727. * Number of emergency department visits: 1.2 million.

The death of rapper Heavy D on Tuesday still has fans in shock as they wonder what felled the 44-year-old star. Though the cause of death may not be known for weeks, L.A. Now reports that an L.A. County coroner's office spokesman said a doctor had prescribed the rapper a drug due to a cough. Heavy D was also having breathing problems at his home before collapsing, and there is speculation that the rapper was experiencing flu-like symptoms or pneumonia. Some studies have shown a link between obesity and a higher risk of pneumonia.

The death of rapper Heavy D on Tuesday still has fans in shock as they wonder what felled the 44-year-old star. Though the cause of death may not be known for weeks, L.A. Now reports that an L.A. County coroner's office spokesman said a doctor had prescribed the rapper a drug due to a cough. Heavy D was also having breathing problems at his home before collapsing, and there is speculation that the rapper was experiencing flu-like symptoms or pneumonia. Some studies have shown a link between obesity and a higher risk of pneumonia.

International donors have pledged more than $4 billion this week to support vaccines for children in developing countries. Two of their primary targets? Diarrhea and pneumonia - horrible specters elsewhere in the world, much less so in this country. "For the first time in history, children in developing countries will receive the same vaccines against diarrhea and pneumonia as children in rich countries," Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates was quoted as saying.

After reports that a dangerous drug-resistant bacterium, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae , or CRKP, had spread to at least 356 patients in Southern California last year, Times staff writer Molly Hennessy-Fiske spoke with Dr. Kavita Trivedi, medical epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health's Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Initiative, about what can be done to reduce the spread of such drug-resistant "superbugs....

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan made an uncommonly swift recovery from his bout with pneumonia, having missed two games after a short stay in the hospital. Jordan, who moved into the starting lineup when Chris Kaman went out with a long-term ankle injury, came off the bench late in the first quarter Friday against the Lakers. He entered with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter and played limited minutes in the first half, nicely blocking a jump shot. Jordan had two points, making one of two shots in just under 10 minutes.

A dangerous drug-resistant bacterium has reached Southern California healthcare facilities, according to a study released Thursday by Los Angeles County public health officials. Researchers found 356 cases of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae , or CRKP, at healthcare facilities in Los Angeles County, mostly among elderly patients, said author Dr. Dawn Terashita, a medical epidemiologist with the county Department of Public Health. "We think that this is increasing," Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, the county's public health chief, said of the infections.

Clippers tonight VS. WASHINGTON When: 7:30. Where: Staples Center. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 980. Records: Clippers 27-44; Wizards 17-51. Record vs. Wizards: 1-0. Update: After tonight's game, the Clippers have four more home games. DeAndre Jordan, who was hospitalized over the weekend with a mild case of pneumonia, was at the practice facility Tuesday but did not take part in the session. Blake Griffin has not had a double-double game since March 7 at Charlotte, a stretch of seven games.

In years past, the nation's attempts to prevent flu-related deaths have focused on limiting transmission of the virus through widespread vaccination programs. This year, with school starting up well before a vaccine for the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus will be available, there will be little that can slow the spread of the virus for the next few months.

Puppeteer Jim Henson's sudden death of pneumonia last week is a reminder that this usually benign disease, which strikes about 3 million Americans each year, can be fatal. Generally, pneumonia is well understood by doctors and is easily treated with a variety of antibiotics, said Dr. Bisher Akil, an expert in infectious diseases and pulmonary medicine at the University of Southern California. "You get simple outpatient treatment with antibiotics and you get over it," Akil said.

When a nearly 600-pound man who boldly promoted food at a restaurant called the Heart Attack Grill dies, one of the first reactions is likely to be ... , well, not one of surprise. But then comes the news that Blair River might have died of pneumonia. Hold on. Don't order up that 8,000-calorie burger just yet. Note that there is a potential link between obesity and pneumonia. "After accounting for factors such as lifestyle and education, moderately obese men -- those with a body mass index between 30 and 34.9 -- had a 40% greater risk of pneumonia compared with those of normal weight (BMI of less than 24.9)

A 50-year-old with Type 2 diabetes will lose an average of six years of life as a result of the disease, only one less than would be lost by a long-term smoker of the same age, researchers reported Wednesday. He or she is more than twice as likely to die of cardiovascular disease as someone without diabetes and 25% more likely to die of cancer, according to the report, an international study of more than 820,000 people published in the New England Journal of Medicine. People with Type 2 diabetes are also more likely to die from kidney disease, liver disease, pneumonia, infectious diseases and even intentional self-harm, according to the study, which was conducted by the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, based at the University of Cambridge in England.