**Pneumonia Survivor Urges Vaccination and Symptom Awareness After Near-Fatal Experience**
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Jane Angelich, a 74-year-old advocate for health awareness, recently shared her harrowing experience battling life-threatening pneumonia to encourage others to get vaccinated and remain vigilant about their health. Her journey began when she returned from a trip to Switzerland in 2018, feeling what she initially believed was a common cold.
After a few days of mild discomfort, Angelich noticed her symptoms were escalating. “I thought it could be the flu,” she recounted. However, the situation took a critical turn when she started coughing up blood. This alarming sign prompted her to visit the emergency room, where tests revealed she was suffering from a severe case of pneumonia.
The American Lung Association classifies pneumococcal pneumonia as a serious bacterial lung infection transmitted through close contact and coughs. While it poses significant risks to children, those aged over 65, and people with chronic illnesses, it can also affect healthy adults over 50 due to the natural decline of the immune system with age.
Before falling ill, Angelich had received the pneumococcal vaccine a year prior, which led her to believe that pneumonia was not something she had to worry about. “I thought I just caught a cold,” she said, noting the unusual fever and persistent cough that accompanied her illness. A virtual consultation with her doctor resulted in a diagnosis of the flu, alongside antiviral medication—but her condition continued to deteriorate, escalating to coughing blood.
Eventually, her husband, Mark, a retired firefighter and emergency medical technician, insisted they seek immediate medical assistance. Due to her weakness, he transported her to the car using an office chair, reflecting on the surreal experience of not being able to walk herself.
Once at the hospital, a chest X-ray confirmed that pneumonia had invaded both of her lungs. “The doctors were frustrated that I had waited so long,” Angelich recalled. “They stressed the importance of seeking help if you’re over 65 and experiencing a fever above 101°F.” At that moment, the urgency of her situation became clear, prompting her to prioritise her health over work commitments.
Angelich was quickly admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she received powerful antibiotics. Though complications arose due to her pre-existing condition of atrial fibrillation, recovery began after a week in the hospital. “The doctors made it very clear that if I hadn’t received that vaccine, the pneumonia could have been fatal,” she stated.
After her release from the hospital, Angelich returned to her professional life, but the road to recovery was gradual. “I felt exhausted and had brain fog for quite some time,” she admitted. It took about a month for her to regain her typical vitality.
Today, Jane Angelich is thriving, having undergone surgery to treat her atrial fibrillation, and despite experiencing pneumonia twice since her initial encounter, she has learned to respond swiftly to symptoms. Living in Florida, she divides her time between coaching business executives and travelling the globe with her husband.
Pneumonia can present a variety of symptoms, including persistent coughing, fever, chills, chest pain, fatigue, nausea, and confusion. Dr. Amit “Bobby” Mahajan, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, emphasises the importance of seeking immediate medical advice if symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain develop, or if fever persists for two to three days without improvement.
Fueled by her own near-fatal experience, Angelich strongly advocates for the pneumococcal vaccine. While it does not eliminate the risk of pneumonia, it significantly reduces the severity of the disease. “I was given a second chance at life,” she reflected. “Yes, the vaccine may cause some side effects, but they are short-lived. The alternative is a far worse fate, one that I refused to accept.”
Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vaccination and symptom awareness, particularly for older adults, as she aims to inspire others to take proactive steps towards safeguarding their health.