Olympic gymnast mary lou retton opens up about pneumonia recovery

“I’m not great yet. I know it’s going to be a long road,” Retton said. “But you have no idea how blessed and how grateful I was for this holiday season.” Retton said, “I’m all set now,”

confirming she has health insurance. The family said the remaining money from the fundraising page will go to charity. Retton has not disclosed whether those funds are paying for health

insurance or how much money might be left over. GROUNDBREAKING GYMNAST Retton made history in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles by becoming the first American female gymnast to win an

Olympic all-around title. She took home five medals that summer — more than any other athlete. After her victory, the West Virginia native became one of the most popular gymnasts in the

world and was the first in the sport to appear on a Wheaties cereal box. She retired in 1986 to become a sports commentator, as well as to act in some television shows and movies. PNEUMONIA

HOSPITALIZATIONS Each year, about 1.4 million Americans visit the emergency room due to pneumonia and more than 400,000 people die of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC). Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses, including the ones that cause the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.  Pneumonia can

cause severe illness in people of any age, but children under 5 and older adults are the most at risk. Getting the flu and COVID vaccines can help prevent the infections that lead to

pneumonia. A pneumonia vaccine is available for adults 65 and older, as well as those with certain medical conditions. 5 warning signs of pneumonia include: 1.  PRODUCTIVE COUGH Pneumonia

causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid, so it’s almost always accompanied by a cough — usually a productive one. 2.  FEVER OR A VERY LOW BODY TEMPERATURE Most people who have

pneumonia have a fever and chills, but sometimes older adults with pneumonia develop a low body temperature (anything below 97 degrees Fahrenheit). 3.  SHORTNESS OF BREATH Those with

pneumonia may have trouble catching their breath, experience wheezing or feel like they are breathing faster than normal. 4.  CHEST PAIN Unlike heart attack pain, pneumonia pain is often

described as sharp or stabbing and usually hurts more when you cough or take a deep breath. But regardless, any type of new or persistent chest pain warrants a trip to the emergency room. 5.

  DIZZINESS OR DELIRIUM A change in cognition or awareness can be a sign of pneumonia in older adults. If older adults become confused or don’t seem to be alert, doctors should check for

infection, experts say. _Editor's note: This story, originally published Oct. 11, 2023, has been updated._