Ford Still Battling Pneumonia

Jan. 23, 2006 — -- Former President Ford is still in a California hospital with pneumonia, but a spokeswoman says he is "doing well," according to The Associated Press.

The 92-year-old was first admitted to the hospital on Jan. 14.

Pneumonia is the harmful development of inflammation in the lungs. It has many causes, such as bacterial or viral infections, or inhaling a foreign object.

At Ford's age, developing pneumonia -- and dying from it -- is not uncommon. In fact, half of all pneumonia-related deaths occur among people 65 years of age and older, according to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Why? As people age, the ability of the immune system to fight off infections becomes increasingly weaker. Older people are especially susceptible to influenza, a viral infection that often triggers pneumonia.

Also, more older adults suffer from dementia, a condition that can predispose them to the accidental inhalation of food or oral secretions, according to Dr. Mark Wernick of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

To some extent, pneumonia can be prevented by getting vaccinated with Pneumovax. It prevents about 23 bacterial infections that can lead to pneumonia, but it is not a foolproof vaccine (like the flu vaccine).