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Mary Lou Retton, the 55-year-old American gymnastics icon and Olympic gold medalist, is currently battling a rare form of pneumonia in the ICU. Her daughter, McKenna Kelley, shared on a fundraising page that her mother was "fighting for her life" and had been unable to breathe on her own.
While there seemed to be progress, Retton's other daughter, Shayla Kelley Schrepfer, recently shared that there was a "scary setback" on Tuesday. However, Retton had a better day on Wednesday but remains in the ICU.
Pneumonia is a serious condition that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Dr. Fred Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center, explained that pneumonia "leads to more than one million hospitalizations and more than 50,000 deaths per year."
Symptoms of pneumonia include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Davis advised seeking emergency care if shortness of breath occurs or if there is discoloration around the fingers, toes, or lips.
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause. In cases of viral infections, rest and fluids are recommended. For bacterial cases, antibiotics are the most common course of treatment. Fungal infections can be treated with antifungal medications. In severe cases, the patient may be itted for monitoring and given supplemental oxygen.
What is the treatment to combat it?
Dr. Aaron Glatt, chair and professor of medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, noted that antibacterial therapy with antibiotics can be effective for most bacterial pneumonia but may not always work depending on the severity of the condition.
Treatment for viral pneumonia can be more challenging as there are not as many effective agents available. Glatt also explained that treatment for fungal pneumonia will depend on the type of fungus causing the condition.
Retton's battle with pneumonia is a reminder of the seriousness of this condition and the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms arise. As Davis emphasized, "When shortness of breath occurs or you notice discoloration around [the] fingers, toes or lips, it is important to seek emergent care." Our thoughts are with Retton and her family during this difficult time.