Pope Francis is understood to have had a ‘tranquil’ night after major concerns were raised over his health – and doctors in the Vatican still have one significant concern
Doctors have revealed the biggest threat to Pope Francis’ health amid his ongoing health battle.
The Pope is said to have enjoyed a “tranquil” night after being in critical condition following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said on Sunday (February 23). Further details on his health, such as whether he was up or eating breakfast, were not revealed.
The 88-year-old was already receiving treated for pneumonia and a complex lung infection at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital when he suffered a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis earlier this weekend. The pope received “high flows” of oxygen to help him breathe.
During a press conference on Friday, Dr Sergio Alfieri, the head of medicine and surgery at Gemelli Hospital, said sepsis was the biggest threat facing the pope. This would occur if the infection in ihs respiratory system spread to the bloodstream.
Dr Alfieri said: “Sepsis, with his respiratory problems and his age, would be really difficult to get out of. The English say ‘knock on wood,’ we say ‘touch iron.’ Everyone touch what they want,” he said before tapping the microphone. “But this is the real risk in these cases: that these germs pass to the bloodstream.”
In an update this morning, the Vatican said the pope also received blood transfusions after tests showed low counts of platelets, which are needed for clotting.
The statement also said that the pontiff “continues to be alert and spent the day in an armchair although in more pain than yesterday”. Doctors said the prognosis was “reserved”.
He was admitted to hospital on February 14 as a bout of bronchitis worsened. For the second consecutive weekend, Francis will skip his traditional Sunday noon blessing as he continues to receive treatment.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition which occurs when your body overreacts to an infection. It can be caused by infections in the lungs, urinary system, digestive system, bloodstream, wounds, or burns. It can also occur in pregnancy.
Symptoms of sepsis, according to the NHS, can be hard to spot as they can resemble the same signs sufferers of chest infections or flu may present with.
According to Penn Medicine, early signs can include chills, confusion or delirium, fever or low body temperature, light-headedness due to low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, skin rash or mottled skin, and warm skin. The NHS recommends you “trust your instincts” when deciding whether to seek treatment for sepsis and to call 999 if you think sepsis is present.
As of Friday, there was no evidence of this and Francis was said to be responding to treatment. “He is not out of danger,” said his personal physician, Dr Luigi Carbone.
“So like all fragile patients I say they are always on the golden scale: In other words, it takes very little to become unbalanced.”
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