Writer and grandfather-to-eight, Jim, 84, Wollongong has led an active lifestyle since retiring as a pharmacist in 2004. Yet despite maintaining regular exercise, Jim still managed to contract pneumonia in 1999 and 2004, respectively.
Plagued by shortness of breath, a severe cough, lethargy and chest pain, Jim was hospitalised in 1999 with the potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
After enduring yet another episode of pneumonia five years later, Jim grew even more health conscious. He increased the frequency of his exercise and was vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia on two occasions to protect against re-infection.
Thankfully, Jim is yet to experience another episode of pneumonia. He is now a passionate advocate for protecting against the pneumococcal infection.
This is Jim’s story.
Throughout his diverse career spanning the pharmaceutical industry, Federal Parliament and goat farming, Jim has managed to author two books, keep active through regular swimming and gym sessions and always followed a healthy diet.
Yet, despite being in good health, Jim fell unwell in 1999 and struggled to identify the root cause of his flu-like symptoms.
“I had shortness of breath, coughing, lethargy and chest pain. I didn’t know what was going on with my body. I even fell unconscious a few times at home due to my symptoms, but luckily my wife was there to look after me.
“I visited my GP, who sent me straight to hospital, where I was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia via a chest X-ray,” said Jim.
“Because my wife was a trained nurse, the doctor thought I would be okay to return home as long as she was there to look after me and ensure my symptoms did not progress. He also prescribed me a course of antibiotics.”
Pneumonia however, took a significant toll on Jim’s health, and it took three weeks before he felt strong enough to resume his day-to-day activities.
Mistakenly thinking his ordeal would be a “one-off”, Jim was shocked to discover he had contracted pneumonia again five years later.
“I experienced my second episode of pneumonia in 2004. It was bacterial pneumonia again, located in my lower left lung, just like my first episode.
“Because I had experienced pneumonia before, I recognised the symptoms quite early, which allowed my doctor to commence treatment straight away. That made a positive difference to my health, because I was only out of action for about two weeks on that occasion,” Jim said.
In order to avoid re-infection, Jim has since been following a healthy diet and strict exercise routine. Given he is over the age of 65, Jim is considered to be at heightened risk of contracting pneumonia, and he has therefore vaccinated twice against the infection since 2004.
Due to his first-hand experience with pneumonia, Jim now urges Australians to prioritise their lung health, particularly those who are at higher risk of infection due to their age alone, or pre-existing medical conditions.
“It’s very important to be compliant with vaccinations, particularly as you get older, even if you feel fit and healthy, like I did. Also, if you are prescribed a puffer, make sure you follow the direction correctly.
“I’d urge anyone at risk of pneumonia to have a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination.
“I haven’t had pneumonia for 14 years now, and I think that’s due to me proactively vaccinating against the infection and leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Jim.
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To coordinate an interview with Jim, please contact Kirsten Bruce or Melorin Kheradi from VIVA! Communications on 02 9968 3741 or 0401 717 566 / 0421 551 257.