Beloved Actor Val Kilmer Dies from Pneumonia

Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can make breathing difficult. Its impact on the body can range from mild to severe, and, in some cases, be life threatening.

Val Kilmer, a Hollywood actor known for playing Batman and “Iceman” in Top Gun, died of pneumonia at age 65.

With so many different respiratory viruses going around, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of pneumonia and get medical help when needed.

Common symptoms of pneumonia include persistent cough, fever and chills, shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing or coughing, and fatigue coupled with confusion. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms – difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue lips – seek medical attention immediately.

“Pneumonia can escalate quickly,” said Dr. Michael Gutierrez, a Jackson Medical Group internal medicine physician. “Early treatment can be the difference between a mild illness and a life-threatening emergency. Don’t take the risk.”

The biggest difference between pneumonia and other respiratory viruses is that pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs, filling them with fluid or pus, making it harder to breathe.

Other respiratory viruses like the common cold, the flu, or COVID, typically affect the upper respiratory tract – the nose, throat, and airways. If untreated, these viruses can spread to the lungs and lead to pneumonia, especially in high-risk individuals, like the elderly, infants, and those who are immunocompromised.

You can lower your risk of pneumonia by following these steps:

• Get vaccinated: The pneumonia vaccine helps protect against bacterial pneumonia, and flu and COVID vaccines can prevent viral infections that may lead to pneumonia.
• Practice good hand hygiene: Wash your hands regularly and avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Don’t smoke: Smoking damages your lungs and makes you more vulnerable to infections.
• Stay healthy: Eat a well-balanced diet, exercise, and manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes to keep your immune system strong.

If you think you may have pneumonia, UHealth Jackson Urgent Care centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To make an appointment to see Dr. Gutierrez at his Coral Gables practice, call 305-575-1620.

Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons