Doctors Change Pope Francis' Treatment To Overcome Complex Clinical Situations

Pope Francis/DOK via Instagram @franciscus

JAKARTA - Doctors are changing Pope Francis' respiratory tract infection treatment to address "complex clinical situations" and he will remain in hospital for as long as necessary.

The 88-year-old whale had been suffering from respiratory infections for more than a week and was hospitalized in Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday last week.

"The results of tests carried out in recent days and today show that there is a polymicrobial infection in the respiratory tract, which causes further modifications to the therapy," the Vatican said in a statement.

"All tests carried out to date show a complex clinical picture that requires proper hospitalization," he said.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope was in good condition.

He did not specify whether the Pope had bacterial or viral infections, but said further information on the Pope's condition would be issued on Monday evening.

Although bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections cannot be treated. Viruses usually have to recover, but patients can be helped with other drugs to reduce fever or help the body fight infection.

Polymicrobial infections are caused by two or more microorganisms, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Pastor Dr Andrea Vicini, a pastor and medical doctor, said polymicrobials are common terms that do not determine the root cause of infection.

Vicini, who claimed not to know the Pope Francis case outside of a Vatican public statement, also said it was important the Vatican had confirmed the Pope did not use breathing apparatus at breakfast.

"This also means the body is not weakened so it is unable to take food and digest it," said Vicini, a professor at Boston College.